The same applies if there are any technical issues or outages on the server side.Īlso, because your information lives online, there’s always the risk of it getting into the wrong hands. Without an Internet connection - or with a crappy one - you’re basically locked out of accessing your data and cloud-based programs. In fact, some companies are making cloud-based computers as a low-cost option for consumers and the education market, the most notable example of this being Google’s Chromebooks.īut the cloud has its downfalls, too. Asus Chromebook Flip Bonnie ChaĪnother benefit of the cloud is that, because the remote servers handle much of the computing and storage, you don’t necessarily need an expensive, high-end machine to get your work done. Meanwhile, a service like Amazon Cloud Drive lets you store and view your entire photo collection, without fear of maxing out your laptop or smartphone’s internal storage. Colleagues can even collaborate on the same document. It’s what allows you to make edits to a file in Google Docs on your home computer, and then pick up where you left off when you get to the office. The advantage of the cloud is that you can access your information on any device with an Internet connection. (There are also many, many business applications for cloud computing, but for the purpose of this post, I’ll deal with consumer solutions.)
Some examples of cloud services include Google Drive, Apple iCloud, Netflix, Yahoo Mail, Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive. Most cloud services can be accessed through a Web browser like Firefox or Google Chrome, and some companies offer dedicated mobile apps. The cloud refers to software and services that run on the Internet, instead of locally on your computer. It’s stored somewhere - lots of somewheres - and the network of servers find what you need and deliver it. Your data isn’t actually in heaven or in the wind. When tech companies say your data is in the cloud, or that you can work in the cloud, it has nothing to do with white fluffy things in the sky. The problem is that these sometimes nebulous or arbitrary terms don’t make it clear what they actually mean to consumers. The tech industry loves to use buzzwords like the Internet of Things, Big Data and 5G. Today, senior editor Bonnie Cha helps clear up questions around the mystical cloud. Too Embarrassed to Ask is a new Re/code feature in which our reviewers answer any and all of your burning tech questions - including the very basic ones you might be too embarrassed to ask your tech-savvy friends.
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