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Insync is like Dropbox for Google Docs, and it's awesome
Insync is a new app for Mac and Windows which works like Dropbox, but there's a rather awesome twist: it's totally integrated with Google Docs. Install Insync, authenticate with Google, and your local Insync folder begins pulling down your Docs files in the cloud. Insync has only recently begun beta testing, so there are still some bugs to work out. For example, non-document files I tested (like some .JPG screenshots) temporarily displayed two entries in my local folder but didn't upload to my Docs.
That shortcoming aside, Insync is still an incredibly useful app and an excellent alternative to Dropbox. Why?
- Insync provides offline access to your Google Docs files, a feature users have been wanting for quite some time
- Google storage is dirt cheap: Dropbox is roughly $240/year for 100GB. $100/year will get you 400GB from Google
- Your additional storage is also available to you in Gmail and Picasa Web
- Full Explorer and Finder integration, including status indicator badges for files
- Growl support for Mac
- Autosuggest feature supports your Google contacts
- Versioning and conflict resolution
- Differential syncing means only the changed bits are uploaded -- not the entire file
- Pooled storage support for Google Apps users, along with centralized user administration
Four times the storage at less than half the price and offline Docs access? Sign me up.
Comments
25
Subscribe to commentsbkj216Sep 14th 2010 11:12AM
I've always wanted to buy some storage from Google, but I've waited for an application like this to come around (preferably from Google directly) to sync across my systems. Seems like this will have to do for now
aidan.cageSep 14th 2010 11:36AM
I don't know. It seems like the benefit of dropbox is its non betaness, as in you can drop any kind of file in there, and it will sync. Why would I want to pay for more google storage space if I'm only syncing little document files to an online office suite?
Secondly, the name is for shame. Has it been long enough since those syllabic sounds were joined together to create a noxious boy band? I don't think so.
redringsSep 14th 2010 11:51AM
If I'm not mistaken, you can upload any kind of file to google docs storage.
GIJeffSep 14th 2010 11:48AM
Would be nice for the article to mention that it's in private beta and we can't sign up for it yet
Lee MathewsSep 14th 2010 11:51AM
Jeff--
Our post actually went up an hour before it was scheduled to, and Insync hadn't made the switch yet.
GIJeffSep 14th 2010 11:52AM
So it's going to be switching out of private beta? or it just switched into it?
Terence PuaSep 14th 2010 11:49AM
We are going live soon. Just put up the down page.
Terence PuaSep 14th 2010 11:51AM
I'm one of the cofounders of Insync :)
mvpSep 14th 2010 1:44PM
eta?
No SpamSep 14th 2010 12:20PM
It is really a bad idea to take the site down on the day it is featured on Downloadsquad!
Fergus MacdonaldSep 14th 2010 12:20PM
Google storage is only $0.25/GB for regular Google Accounts (gmail etc). If you have a Google Apps account then you can't do it yet, but when you can, it will be $3.50/GB!
http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=172732
JaySep 14th 2010 12:37PM
I love the idea of desktop app that automatically sync with online services but what I don't like is letting a 3rd my stuff. There is no way in hell that I'm going to upload my tax records, home buying info, medical docs to any "Cloud Storage" that could (will) be hacked or accessed by employees at said company. Sure they say in writing that your stuff is secure on their servers but who in their right mind even believes that?
What I would like to find is an WebApp like Dropbox that I can install on my own server which control and also has a DesktopClient.
Sorry for the rant - I didn't realize I had it in me :)
AliSep 14th 2010 2:37PM
Sparkleshare is the answer for you.
There'll be the first beta soon. It is open-source and somehow the homepage today isn't working http://www.sparkleshare.org/
zmnatzSep 14th 2010 4:51PM
Why not just encrypt the file yourself before uploading it?
fincanSep 14th 2010 12:36PM
Since the website is down, can someone who already know tell me if it is cross-platform, meaning if it works on Linux, Mac and Windows?
Eric DavisSep 14th 2010 3:41PM
This doesn't seem to actually be the solution for those of us with 250 GB of Google Storage. Read below:
https://forums.insynchq.com/index.php?p=/discussion/51/google-storage/#Item_2
AaronSep 14th 2010 5:28PM
@insync
Have you considered partnering with HiDrive in Germany? Very similar prices but not as much of a concern of Google pulling the plug if they dont like the usage from this.
Aaron
BugMeNotSep 15th 2010 4:40AM
When I look at their website, I get a bad feeling about it: All the screenshots (except one half screenshot) are from Mac OS X, none from Windows. Makes you wonder whether the makers might all be mactard fanboys, meaning that support for the Windows version of their programme might turn out to be bad.
Otherwise it looks nice, but how will I get my non-techie Dropbox contacts to switch?
mikeschrSep 15th 2010 3:50PM
You know, I'm tired of hearing those insults. I don't even own a Mac, but I'm pretty sure that not everyone who uses one is a "Mactard fanboy". I'm not even sure exactly what you're trying to say by that.
And you don't even know that there's anything wrong with the Windows version of the program - you just don't like that they seem to use Macs.
Heaven help anyone who has a preference that differs from yours.
BugMeNotSep 15th 2010 5:51PM
It appear that you did not even read my comment properly. The screenshots on the site are (as good as) exclusively from Mac OS. That is pretty remarkable for a cross platform product, isn't it?
>you just don't like that they seem to use Macs.
True, I don't like it when people are trying to write a Windows program, and they don't even use Windows. That does not promise to be a very successful project.