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Print 34 comment(s) - last by thecolorblue.. on Dec 11 at 8:07 AM

  (Source: blogspot.com)
It comes with features like 24/7 phone support and a 25GB inbox

Businesses can no longer use the free version of Google Apps -- instead, they must use a premium business version for $50 per year.

Google announced yesterday that businesses, which previously had the choice between the basic, free version of Google Apps or the premium, paid version, must now choose the latter. The offering is called Google Apps for Business, and it features more business-friendly options for an annual fee. The apps include Gmail and Google Drive.

The new features include 24/7 phone support for any issue, a 25GB inbox and a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee with no scheduled downtime. Businesses of all sizes are instructed to use this version for $50 a year.

Why is Google forcing businesses into this direction? According to the tech giant, businesses tend to outgrow the basic version and have increasing needs in order to run their establishment. This new, paid version guarantees that Google can offer them what they need.

Google will keep the basic, free version for individuals, and will also continue offering Google Apps for Education for free. Google Apps for Government will stay at its normal $50 per year as well.

Source: The Official Google Enterprise Blog


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RE: Interesting business model
By blue_urban_sky on 12/7/2012 7:02:49 PM , Rating: 4
Hummm Supermarkets mine data for <1% off your shopping, do you bitch about that?

the truth is no one cares about your data, yes you buy an above average amount of tissues and have an interest in adult web sites. Is that going to make Google rich?

I was similarly amazed when I saw people complaining that google only allowed them to upload 20,000 mp3s to the cloud for free. people were complaining that they were not allowed to upload 20,000 flac files or 100k of music files? How much do people think you can get out of data mining?

I have 2 10GB email accounts, 5Gb Google drive, All photos on G+, 50Gb! on google music, apps, docs, calenders and a host of other crap for free. Sometimes I click the paid adds out of a feeling of obligation. All Google knows is I don't talk to my mum enough my wife is seemingly obsessed with pictures of cats and if I was half as competent at my job as I pretend I would not frequent stack overflow quite as much as I do... I think I do ok out of this deal.


RE: Interesting business model
By thecolorblue on 12/11/2012 8:04:37 AM , Rating: 2
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/ff_nsadat...

google does care about your data, as does big bro'... and google hands that over readily
and big bro snoops it regardless... and it is used for retroactive surveliance... it is used to target 'inconvenient' people and you are here to sign yourself up and defend the practice.

and nice straw man with the 'tissues, adult websites google rich' comment
only a complete ignorant would ever suggest that, so congrats on refuting the ignorants who don't even post here.


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