Greetings,
Google services like YouTube and Gmail went down the other day for the second time in fewer than 30 days. That's very unusual. I have also received a few emails regarding changes in terms and conditions related to the treatment of files sitting in the Google Drive "Bin".
All these things point to a likelihood that Google is optimising its storage inventory. If you think about it, many of us have files that have been sitting in Google Drive for many many years unused. Some of us also deleted photos or files and never cleared the bin. Some people have lost access to their Google Drive or even passed away.
It's pretty unrealistic to think Google will hang on to these debris forever.
Then you have YouTube. People are now uploading 4K videos regularly, some hours long, unto YouTube. Google does have a lot of storage space tech, but their resources are not infinite.
So, is Google running out of space?
Peace & Love,
Adé
▶️ DTube
They have 24 data centres now, and I see Facebook has built a new data centre in Sweden to help with this, and leveraging the cold to improve the running of the servers. I think if needed they have plenty of nordic countries and Canada and even Russia willing to lease them land and take their money to increase the capacity of big tech, you're right that theoretically there's a limit to space, but I don't think they've reached that point just yet
Just as we approach the technical limit, new tech arrives. Quantum computers around the corner with the ability to store insane amounts of information in a tiny space.
It boggles the mind how much storage they must have. Do they even keep backups? I would think most people are watching Youtube on a computer or phone that won't do 4k. People are just creating masses of data every day. A lot will never be looked at again.
I saw some stats on that. The number is astronomical - basically decades of data per minute - that is it will take one person decades to watch all the videos uploaded each second and now often in 4k format. Photos are similar - hundreds of millions of selfies and random snaps per second!
Google doesn't wants to lose prominence as the main Video on Demand platform on the web.
So they are reluctant to lose their spot and open opportunities for competitors.
Regardless, they don't have a real choice in the matter. Expect lots of bitching and whining from their part, obviously.
They're so far ahead of anyone else. Only a collab of FaceBook, Amazon and Apple can compete with them.
They are preaparing for Web 3.0
Haha. I bet :)
I still do 1080. 4k files are just so bulky for what I do.
Keep in mind YouTube keeps a minimum of 2 copies of everything. I think what they are gearing up for monetizing their properties. They are basically pushing Photos to be a buy space service.
I have always said since YT Red that they were going to make YT a subscription service. I can see a very limited free account still being available, but perhaps to upload or to watch many videos a month, you will have to pay $4.99 a month or some such. We will see. Everyone wants more of those dollars!
Yes I believe so too. They will probably follow Netflix's service plans.. and Spotify's for music.