Google is hoping to build the world's largest digital filing cabinet in the latest attempt to deepen people's dependence on its services.

The Internet search leader's latest product stores personal documents, photos, videos and a wide range of other digital content on Google's computers. By keeping files in massive data centers, users will be able to call up the information on their smartphones, tablet computers, laptops and just about any other Internet-connected device.

Google Inc. announced the long-rumored service Tuesday. Called Google Drive, the service is offering the first five gigabytes of storage per account for free. Additional storage will be sold for prices starting at $2.49 per month for 25 gigabytes up to $49.99 per month for one terabyte, equivalent to five laptops with 200-gigabyte drives.

Google Drive is initially available for installation on Window-based computers, Mac computers, laptops running on Google's Chrome operating system and smartphones powered by Google's Android software. A version compatible with Apple Inc.'s iPhone and iPad is due in the next few weeks.

It may be several weeks before Google Drive is available throughout the world.

Yahoo News