Originally founded in Germany more than a decade ago, the AnA event series hasseenmore than 75 events across 12 countries to date, with approximately 200 renowned architects sharing theirstories.AnA has become a cornerstone of international architectural discourse, says event organiser Fermn Tribaldos. And this milestone event in Auckland represents an extension of AnAs mission to connect architects and enthusiasts worldwide through storytelling and meaningfuldialogue.On April 2, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Christopher Kelly, founding principal of Architecture Workshop Aotearoa; Elisapeta Heta, principal and kaihaut Whaihanga Mori Design Leader, Jasmax principal and leader of Waka Mia, Aotearoa; and Sally Ogle, director of Patchwork Architecture as they share their personal journeys and reflect on the pivotal moments and life experiences that shaped their paths inarchitecture.EventdetailsWednesday 2 April, 6pmUnder the Dome, Te Ao Mrama Auckland War Memorial MuseumPrice: Standard tickets $45; students $40 (tickets include a welcome drink).5.30pm Doors open, drinks6pm Introduction6.15pm First speaker (20-min lecture + 10-min interview)6.45pm Second speaker (20-min lecture + 10-min interview)7.15pm Break and canaps7.45pm Third speaker (20-min lecture + 10-min interview)8.15pm Round table and Q&A8.30pm 9.30pm Drinks and finger food in thelobbyTickets can be bought here.About thespeakersChristopher Kelly has been an architect for 40 years, returning to Aotearoa in 1992 after his apprenticeship abroad to foundArchitecture Workshop in PnekeWellington.He iscontributes regularlytoArchitecture NZ,his most recent piece being #architecturenzohvienna, proffering 10 supply and demand-led solutions to Aotearoas housing inequity.Kelly has served on the NZIA National Executive and the Awards Jury. Architecture Workshop has been recognised by its peers, winning the Prime Ministers Built Environment Award in 2006 for the Oriental Bay Enhancement, the NZIA Gold Medal in 2011 for the Waitomo Caves Visitors Centre and, in 2019, the WAF Hotel and Leisure Category for Lindis Lodge in the South Islands AhuririValley.The Otago Peregrine Winery was a co-winner alongside Tezuka of the 2004 AR Emerging Architect prize. At the invitation of Architecture Review editor Peter Davey, this entailed a presentation of AWs work at the 2005 RIBA Spring Lecture Series in London. Other keynote speaking events include the AIA National Conference, Sydney 2003 and the Stadelschule Alumni Conference Frankfurt 2008. In that same year, Kelly was one of the international judges of the inaugural World Festival of Architecture inBarcelona.Elisapeta Heta is a principal and Kaihaut Whaihanga - Mori design leader at Jasmax, playing a pivotal role in guiding the practice to become authentically bicultural. As the leader of Waka Mia, established in 2015 to amplify Mori design voices within the firm,Heta has made significant cultural contributions to key projects while advocating for change on international platforms. She offers valuable Mori and Pasifika perspectives, emphasising the importance of place in both design and culturalidentity.Drawing on her lived experience,Heta strives to create pathways for future generations of indigenous designers and inspire young Mori and Pasifika individuals to balance career and community commitments. Her portfolio includes notable projects such as the New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 2020, the redevelopment of Western Springs College Ng Puna o Wairea and the City RailLink.Since joining Jasmax in 2015,Heta has become a respected change-maker in the design industry, receiving the prestigious NZIA Presidents Award in 2022 for her cultural leadership. She has also contributed to the profession through roles such as co-chair of Architecture+Women (20172018) and a director on the NZIA Board, where she helped establish Te Kawenata o Rata, a historic alliance between Ng Aho and theNZIA.Sally Ogle isa director of Patchwork Architecture,an award-winning Wellington-based studio founded by Sally and Ben Mitchell-Anyon in 2012. The practice was formed following a year spent physically building the Dogbox house in Whanganui and taking the practical building knowledge back to the drawing board. In the more than a decade since then, Patchwork has won a reputation and several awards for bold and innovative architecture, often crafting modest materials to create surprising spaces. Patchwork projectsare characterised by a combination of ingenuity and wit, together with the confidence and technical ability necessary to take on the challenges of often difficult sites. Ogle is interested in the betterment of our urban environment, and the role that architects can have in shaping the places we live, from the individual through to the civicscale.For more information about the event series and to viewpast events,clickhere.

Looking forthe most recentMini Crossword answer?Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.I've got an issue with today'sNYT Mini Crossword. 5-Down is one of those "try to spell out what this sounds like" answers, and I just don't think a sizzling steak sounds like that. A hissing snake, sure.Need some help with today's Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times' games collection. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visitCNET's NYT puzzle hints page.Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini CrosswordLet's get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers. The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Feb. 27, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNETMini across clues and answers Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. 1A clue: "Good one!"Answer: HAH4A clue: Messages to the office staffAnswer: MEMOS6A clue: Exclamations accompanied by nervous gulpsAnswer: UHOHS7A clue: Calculator keyAnswer: MINUS8A clue: ___ Grand (Vegas casino)Answer: MGMMini down clues and answers1D clue: Pronoun pairAnswer: HEHIM2D clue: In the midst ofAnswer: AMONG3D clue: So-soAnswer: HOHUM4D clue: Not saying a wordAnswer: MUM5D clue: Sound of a sizzling steakAnswer: SSSHow to play more Mini CrosswordsThe New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day's Mini Crossword for free, but you'll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

Perks: Shared heated pool, mountain view, beach access, AC, washer/dryerBright pops of purple, orange, and green decor make this modern cottage feel inviting. In this Lake Chelanadjacent lodging, youll be able to relax and unwind thanks to plenty of natural sunlight, local pool access, and a cozy back porch that creates a welcoming experience for guests. From $370 per night.BOOK NOWStone Cottage with Lake View in Onekama, MichiganPerks: Adult-only property, private pool, fireplace, lake view, outdoor grill, NetflixExplore nearby lakes and beaches during your stay in this updated 1930s stone cottage located near Lake Michigans sprawling coast. This hideaway boasts modern amenities like an updated kitchenette, bathroom, and fire pitideal after long days spent hiking, biking, or kayaking. From $175 per night.BOOK NOWBeautifully Renovated Home in Ludington, MichiganPerks: Free parking, Apple TV, record player, crib, high chair, bikes, beach essentialsThis getaway is just a 10-minute stroll from Lake Michigan and a short drive away from the scenic views of Ludington State Park. Vacationers can enjoy the modern living room furnishings, bright wall accents, and impressive full kitchen during their time in this recently updated stay. From $249 per night.BOOK NOWPrivate Getaway in Granby, ColoradoPerks: Pet-friendly, scenic, deck, lake access, crib, indoor fireplace, BBQ grill, long-term staysIn this chic, four-bedroom treehouse cabin rental overlooking the Colorado mountains, you can sprawl out and take in breathtaking views from either of the two private decks included in your lodgings. Conveniently located minutes away from Lake Granby, you can enjoy all sorts of water sports and aventures, including boating, mountain biking, and fishing. From $775 per night.BOOK NOWLittle Lakefront Log Cabin on Seneca Lake in Hector, New YorkPerks: Lake and vineyard views, dock access, kayak, patio, record player, crib, board gamesThis charming log cabin just steps away from Seneca Lake is one to bookmark for New York City dwellers that are looking for a nature escape within the state confines. Even in winter, the rental also houses a thermostat-controlled gas fireplace for staying extra cozy when the salt trucks are prepping the streets for a snowstorm. Warm weather visitors can while away the hours sunbathing on the picturesque dock or exploring the lakes waters using complimentary kayaks supplied by your host. From $350 per night.BOOK NOWThe Nest at Rockford Bay in Coeur d'Alene, IdahoPerks: Private hot tub, bay view, beach access, yoga mat, crib, high chair, board games, blenderThis lakeside retreat is the perfect place for larger parties with enough space to host up to 10 people. Guests can make the most of the spacious outdoor area by setting up an impromptu game day (the sporting equipment includes a corn hole, croquet, and volleyball, to name a few) or enjoy some friendly competition indoors via a game table and a closet stuffed full of board games. During the day, paddle boards, kayaks, and pontoon boats with a crew are available to rent for a guided cruise on the water. From $615 per night.BOOK NOW

President Donald Trump posted a bizarre AI-generated video to social media Monday evening depicting an imagined future version of Gaza with bearded belly dancers on the beach, a giant golden statue of Trump, money raining from the sky, Elon Musk eating pita and a Trump Gaza hotel.The video, posted on Trumps Truth Social and Instagram accounts, appears to have been first spread by a network of pro-Israel social media accounts. It draws on images generated by artificial intelligence that were created after Trump said in early February that the U.S. would take over the Gaza Strip.The posts quickly drew condemnation from many users on Truth Social and Instagram, even from people who identified themselves as Republicans. Its the latest instance of Trump embracing generative AI and images created by the technology. He has frequently posted images on Truth Social that appear AI-made.The Gaza video appears to be referencing Trumps statements during a press conference on Feb. 4 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump suggested then that the U.S. could relocate Palestinians to other countries and level the site to create a Riviera of the Middle East.In a statement provided to NBC News, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said: As President Trump has said, Gaza in its current state is unhabitable for any human being. President Trump is a visionary, and his plan to have the United States involved in Gazas rebuilding will allow for Palestinians to resettle in new, beautiful communities while improving conditions in the region for generations to come.The earliest post found by NBC NewsLooks like the Gaz-A-Lago resort already dropped its first official tourism promo , the account wrote in the post.The account, which posts a mix of pro-Israeli and anti-Palestinian memes, photos and news, did not respond to requests for comment, but seemed to suggest that they created the video in posts made Tuesday. It was a joke , they wrote, responding to a user who posted about Trumps use of the video. So, it seems like Trump also saw it... , they wrote in another post.Its not clear exactly how the video was created and produced or how it came to Trumps attention, but it used at least one AI-generated image that had gone viral just a day after Trumps statements about Gaza. On Feb. 5, an image that appears to have been created with Grok AI, Xs AI service, began to circulate. It included a Grok AI watermark, and showed Trump sitting next to Netanyahu on the beach with colorful drinks in front of a sign that read "Trump Riviera."One of the first X accounts that posted the image is an account called Glasgow Friends of Israel (@GlasgowFOI), which posts similar content to the Nazi Hunters account.A view of #Gazas future? Warmer than #TrumpTurnberry. Add some golf courses, casinos, hotels, strip clubs and a wrestling arena, and it could be the ultimate #Trump resort. #AmYisraelChai #StandWithIsrael, the account wrote in the post. Glasgow Friends of Israel did not respond to a request for comment.The image quickly spread, getting reposted by a variety of accounts across the political spectrum. Filmmaker Morgan J. Freeman, who has posted content thats critical of Trump, shared the image on X. His post was viewed over 700,000 times.The image was one of the first of a series of memes posted imagining what a Trump Riviera or Trump Gaza would look like, with some featuring golf courses and buildings.Creators on both sides of the Israeli-Gaza conflict have used generative AI to create memes and political content since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas' attack on Israel. Accounts devoted to spreading generative AI content centered on the war have gained thousands of followers since the war began.The video posted by Trump, though, has drawn a notably negative reaction, even from users who claim to be Republicans.On Truth Social, where the user base is predominantly composed of conservatives, many of the comments the platform labeled as trending condemned the post. On Instagram, influencers who had supported Trump through the campaign questioned why he was posting it.In Gaza, people who spoke to NBC News condemned the video.We as Palestinians wont let Trump and his people, his group, do what he wants to do as he did in this video. We cant accept that, said Hussam Al Sharif, a 19-year-old student at the University of Palestine. This is not our traditions. This is not our culture. We will not let the foreign people come here in Gaza and destroy our country and to rebuild it as they want.

The current balance in the LOCCS system, according to a record reviewed by WIRED, is over $100 billionmoney Congress has approved for HUD projects but which has yet to be drawn down. Much of this money has been earmarked to cover disaster assistance and community development work, a source at the agency says.Normally, those who have access to LOCCS require additional processing and approvals to access the system, and most only have read access, department employees say.Read/write is used for executing contracts and grants on the LOCCS side, says one person. It normally has strict banking procedures around doing anything with funds. For instance, you usually need at least two people to approve any decisionssame as you would with bank tellers in a physical bank.The second system to which documents indicate both DOGE operatives at HUD have both read and write access is the HUD Central Accounting and Program System (HUDCAPS), an integrated management system for Section 8 programs under the jurisdiction of the Office of Public and Indian Housing, according to HUD. (Section 8 is a federal program administered through local housing agencies that provides rental assistance, in the form of vouchers, to millions of lower-income families.) This system was a precursor to LOCCS and is currently being phased out, but it is still being used to process the payment of housing vouchers and contains huge amounts of personal information.There are currently 2.3 million families in receipt of housing vouchers in the US, according to HUDs own data, but the HUDCAPS database contains information on significantly more individuals because historical data is retained, says a source familiar with the system. People applying for HUD programs like housing vouchers have to submit sensitive personal information including medical records and personal narratives.People entrust these stories to HUD, the source says. Its not data in these systems, its operational trust.WASS, or the Web Access Security Subsystem, is the third system to which DOGE has both read and write access, though only Mirski has access to this system according to documents reviewed by WIRED. Its used to grant permissions to other HUD systems. Most of the functionality in WASS consists of looking up information stored in various tables to tell the security subsystem who you are, where you can go, and what you can do when you get there, a user manual says.WASS is an application for provisioning rights to most if not all other HUD systems, says a HUD source familiar with the systems who is shocked by Mirskis level of access because normally HUD employees dont have read access, let alone write access. WASS is the system for setting permissions for all of the other systems.In addition to these three systems, documents show that Mirski has read-only access to two others. One, the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS), is a nationwide database that tracks all HUD programs underway across the country. (IDIS has confidential data about hidden locations of domestic violence shelters, a HUD source says, so even read access in there is horrible.) The other is the Financial Assessment of Public Housing (FASS-PH), a database designed to measure the financial condition of public housing agencies and assess their ability to provide safe and decent housing, according to HUDs website.

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797kWatch on YouTube If you're still not sure about Tetris Forever, now might be the time to reconsider with the game rolling out its "biggest-ever update" today with the addition of two new classic MS-DOS games.This includes the 1991 "cult classic" Super Tetris and the 1988 title Tetris (AcademySoft) v. 3.12. Here's the official description for both of these titles:Super Tetris:Released by Spectrum Holobyte in 1991, this was an early attempt at creating a "sequel" to Tetris. The gameplay is quite different the Matrix is half-full of garbage when a game begins, and players can earn and use Bombs to clear out the spaces and find power-ups buried in the garbage. It includes Cooperative and Competitive multiplayer modes, in which two players play in the same Matrix!Tetris (AcademySoft) v. 3.12:A historically important inclusion, this is the final version of Tetris created within the Soviet Union in the Academy of Sciences, ported from Alexey Pajitnov's original Pascal code by Vadim Gerasimov. Dating to 1988, it is notable for its inclusion of Phantom mode, in which all O-Tetriminos (square-shaped pieces) are invisible!Apart from this, the latest game update also includes "major updates" for Tetris Time Warp. While single-player previously topped out at level 15 and it now extends from levels 16 through to 30. The multiplayer mode for Time Warp now also has a new Shield Tetrimino power-up, preventing players from Time-Warping each other.Here's a more extensive rundown of what you can expect from this Time Warp update:Blast Off To Level 30: The single-player modes in Tetris Time Warp, which previously topped out at Level 15, now go all the way to Level 30! Can you handle even higher speeds of play? Starting at Level 20, the Time Warp Tetrimino piece will no longer feature the golden-colored Tetrimino, so you won't be able to create Matrix-clearing cascades. And starting on Level 28, the lockdown speed of Tetriminos will greatly increase.Time Warp Shield: In Tetris Time Warp's multiplayer mode, the Time Warp Tetriminos now have a new power Shield! Clear a line including a Time Warp Tetrimino while the Shield design is showing, and you'll earn a Shield that will stop other players from sending you into a Time Warp. It disappears after being used once.1989 Mode Upgrades: Enjoy playing Tetris with black-and-white graphics and chiptune sounds? 1989 Mode, a single-player mode found within Tetris Time Warp, now has a variety of fixes and new options. You can choose to turn off "Modern Gameplay" and experience more historically accurate gameplay. You can also optionally choose to play the game with 18 rows in the Matrix, as opposed to the modern-day setting of 20 rows.Take the 40-Line Challenge: Celebrate Tetris' 40th anniversary by trying to clear 40 lines as quickly as you can. Playable in both Modern and 1989 modes.Options, Options, Options: A vastly expanded Options menu lets you customize the visuals, sounds, and gameplay in Tetris Time Warp to your liking. Turn individual graphic effects on or off, and tweak your gameplay with new options like the Initial Hold and Initial Rotation systems, Diagonals, and more.Many other bug fixes, tweaks, and minor changes to all modes to improve the Tetris Time Warp experience.Last of all, are some additional updates to "gameplay behaviours in the recreation of the Electronika 60 version of Tetris" to make it more "historically accurate". Language support has also been added for Korean and Traditional Chinese and there are various tweaks, bug fixes and enhancements to "improve the gameplay experience". The building blocks of historyWill you be checking out this new update for Tetris Forever? How are you finding this collection so far? Tell us in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Highlights Four Brand New Games "Coming Soon" To SwitchMarch is going to be an exciting month98 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Play On' eShop Sale (Europe)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherNintendo Is Discontinuing Gold Points, One Of The Switch's Best IncentivesNoooo, don't do it!

Image: KonamiSuikoden I & II HD Remaster arrives on the Nintendo Switch early next month and ahead of the official launch, Konami has announced it will be hosting a "special program" broadcast on 3rd March 2025.According to an update from the official game account, this broadcast will bring fans "all the latest news on Suikoden". You'll be able to watch via the official Konami YouTube channel.Join us March 3 for a special broadcast bringing you all the latest news on Suikoden, Date and time of broadcast Monday, March 3, 3PM PSTSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797kWatch on YouTube The release of the two-in-one remaster release on Switch will then take place later on in the same week on 6th March 2025. No other details about the broadcast have been revealed at this point in time.If you're curious to know more about this upcoming release, you can check out our previous coverage here on Nintendo Life.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797k After all this timeIf there is any exciting news shared during this broadcast, we'll be sure to let you know. Will you be picking up this remaster next month? Tell us in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Highlights Four Brand New Games "Coming Soon" To SwitchMarch is going to be an exciting month98 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Play On' eShop Sale (Europe)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherNintendo Is Discontinuing Gold Points, One Of The Switch's Best IncentivesNoooo, don't do it!

Being somewhat later than Europe in adopting the idea of parcel delivery, much of Asia built its delivery infrastructure around e-commerce, effectively Uberising how deliveries worked down to the last mile. Think DoorDash but for parcels, not food. This is what the founders of Europes Relay realized and decided to bring to the region and why investors just gave it a massive Series A round.Most Western parcel delivery companies have fixed daily routes for drivers, dispatching them from far-flung depots near places like airports to suburban destinations. This creates enormous overhead, wastes mileage and increases carbon emissions for parcels, especially if they are returned. Instead, Asias asset-free model uses mini-depots, like a local store.Relays end-to-end parcel delivery service adopts this approach, operating more like a food delivery app. It matches couriers to routes, combines deliveries and returns into a single trip, and replaces large trucks with carbon-reducing e-bikes.Founded byCEO Jonathan Jenssen and COO Nicole Mazza, who both previously worked at last-mile delivery company Stuart, Relay is now clearly entering its AI-driven scale-up phase.Most delivery people take a static photo of the handover. Relay enhances this with computer vision, boosting proof-of-delivery compliance by 82%, per its estimates.As Jenssen told TechCrunch over a call: When we hand over a parcel to a customer, were able to detect, has it been left in the garbage bin? Has it been left on the porch? This is just one small example of how we improve our quality of service, reduce claims for retailers, but dont increase our cost. And then that feedback is given directly to the couriers so they know what theyre doing in their training. Theyre getting better.That last mile model also significantly reduces energy consumption. With just one of our customers we can save a billion miles a year. So imagine this across multiple cities. Were making a huge environmental impact. And theres fewer touch points, so theres less chance of it getting lost, added Jenssen.The platform is now used by Vinted, TikTok, Temu,and UK retailers such asTHG Fulfil. It is also now in most UK cities, including London and Manchester.Meanwhile, parcel deliveries are on the rise. The global shipping market is forecastto surpass 224 billion parcels by 2030, up from 161 billion in 2023, fueled mostly by e-commerce.To scale further, Relay has now raised a $35 million Series A round led by London-based VC, Plural a fund started, in part, by the founders of fintech giant Wise.The round also included participation from Germanys Project A and Prologis Ventures, the VC arm of global logistics real estate leader Prologis.In a statement: Taavet Hinrikus, Partner at Plural, said of why hes so enthusiastic about the company:Jonathan and Nicole are the perfect pair to do this, having lived and breathed the last-mile delivery revolution for almost a decade. Their asset-light model, optimized by AI, is already leading to delivery times that are a fraction of incumbents.Topics

Data storage and resilience company Lonestar and semiconductor and storage company Phison launched a data center infrastructure on a SpaceX rocket on Wednesday thats headed to the moon.The companies are sending Phisons Pascari storage solid state drives (SSDs) built for data centers packed with Lonestars clients data on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket set to land on March 4. This marks the beginning of a lunar data center, the first ever, that the companies plan to expand in the future until it holds a petabyte of storage.Chris Stott, the founder, chair, and CEO of Lonestar, told TechCrunch that the idea to build a data center in space originated back in 2018 years before the current AI-driven surge in data center demand. He said customers were seeking ways to store their data off Earth so it would be immune from things like climate disasters and hacking.Humanitys most precious item, outside of us, is data, Stott said. They see data as the new oil. Id say its more precious than that.Stott said partnering with Phison to build a space data center was a natural choice. Phison already provides storage solutions for space missions through NASAs Perseverance Rover on Mars. The company also offers a design service called Imagine Plus, which develops custom storage solutions for unique projects.We were very excited when theres a call from Chris, Michael Wu, the general manager and president of Phison, told TechCrunch. We took a standard product and were able to customize whatever they need for these products and we launched it. So its a very exciting journey.Lonestar partnered with Phison in 2021, and since then, they have been developing SSD storage units designed for space. Stott added that the companies spent years testing the product before their first launch because the tech has to be rock solid it cant easily be fixed if an issue arises.[This is] why SSDs are so important, Stott said. No moving parts. Its remarkable technology thats allowing us to do what were doing for these governments and hopefully almost every government in the world as we go forward and almost every company and corporation.Stott said the tech has been launch-ready since 2023 and the company successfully conducted a test launch in early 2024.Wednesdays launch included various types of customer data, ranging from multiple governments interested in disaster recovery to a space agency testing a large language model. Even the band Imagine Dragons participated, sending a music video for one of their songs from the Starfield space game soundtrack.Lonestar isnt the only company looking to bring data centers into space. Another contender, Lumen Orbit, emerged from Y Combinators Summer 2024 batch. The startup garnered one of buzziest seed rounds from that YC cohort, raising more than $21 million and rebranding as Starcloud.As AI-driven demand for hardware accelerates, its likely well see more companies pursue space-based storage solutions, which offer nearly infinite storage capacity and solar energy, advantages that Earth-bound data centers cant match. For Lonestar, if all goes well, the company plans to collaborate with satellite manufacturer Sidus Space to build six data storage spacecraft that the company expects to launch between 2027 and 2030.Its fascinating to see the level of professionalism, it is tremendous, Stott said. This isnt 60 years ago with the Apollo program. Apollo flight computers, they had 2 kilobytes of RAM and they had 36 kilobytes of storage. Here we are on this mission, flying 1 Gigabyte of RAM and 8 terabytes of storage with Phison Pascari. Its tremendous.

If you want your digital work stored safely away from hackers or physical damage caused to your PC while still being easily accessible from wherever you are, reliable cloud storage is a necessity. Personal cloud storage has been around since 2007, with just one well-known provider in the space, but now dozens of cheap or free cloud storage services are available.How do you choose which one is right for you? You could just pick based on how much free storage space you get, but a cloud storage service's real value is how well it works for you or your business, how accessible it is, and how the provider approaches customer security. As you'll see, some work much better with some operating systems and business plans than others.What is the best cloud storage service right now?I've tested and researched every cloud storage service on this list. My top pick for best cloud storage overall is iDrive for its backup and storage options, easy pairing and compatibility, as well as its affordability.See how iDrive stacks up to our other recommended cloud storage services of 2025 below. Sort by All Best cloud storage services of 2025 Show less View now at IDrive IDrive is for everyone who wants an all-in-one cloud backup and storage package. Its main job is backing up small businesses, but it also works well for personal cloud storage and file sharing.Unlike many other cloud backup services, iDrive doesn't lock you down to a single computer. You can use one account to back up your Windows and macOS desktops, Android smartphone, iPhones, tablets, and your network drives. There's also a Linux backup optionfor Linux servers, but you can still use it with a little elbow grease on your desktop Linux.For now, iDrive has a killer deal. It's the most storage for the least amount of money you'll find today. I use it to back up my massive media library of 1930s and 1940s movies.Typically, iDrive offers 10GB free, but if you want to make the most its backup power, the real deal is in its Personal iDrive offerings. These start at 5TB for $70 per year, or an even better deal -- 10TB for $105 annually. There are also business packages with unlimited users, but the price goes up for less storage.IDrive also caters to customers who want the most affordable storage possible, with 100GB available for only $2.95 per year.If you're looking for a personal or small business backup, iDrive is a great choice. It's easy to use and inexpensive. It's also good for cloud storage, and I'm very happy with it.iDrive features: Free storage:iDrive starts its offers with 10GB for free | Variety of storage plans | Multiple user support | iDrive for Office | Snapshots and versioning Pros Great price Works well for backups and storage Excellent pairing of storage and office services Cons Relatively slow download speeds IDrive is for everyone who wants an all-in-one cloud backup and storage package. Its main job is backing up small businesses, but it also works well for personal cloud storage and file sharing.Unlike many other cloud backup services, iDrive doesn't lock you down to a single computer. You can use one account to back up your Windows and macOS desktops, Android smartphone, iPhones, tablets, and your network drives. There's also a Linux backup optionfor Linux servers, but you can still use it with a little elbow grease on your desktop Linux.For now, iDrive has a killer deal. It's the most storage for the least amount of money you'll find today. I use it to back up my massive media library of 1930s and 1940s movies.Typically, iDrive offers 10GB free, but if you want to make the most its backup power, the real deal is in its Personal iDrive offerings. These start at 5TB for $70 per year, or an even better deal -- 10TB for $105 annually. There are also business packages with unlimited users, but the price goes up for less storage.IDrive also caters to customers who want the most affordable storage possible, with 100GB available for only $2.95 per year.If you're looking for a personal or small business backup, iDrive is a great choice. It's easy to use and inexpensive. It's also good for cloud storage, and I'm very happy with it.iDrive features: Free storage:iDrive starts its offers with 10GB for free | Variety of storage plans | Multiple user support | iDrive for Office | Snapshots and versioning Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Microsoft OneDrive is baked into Windows, and they're delicious together. As far as a Windows user is concerned, OneDrive is just another directory in the File Explorer -- talk about easy. Anyone can use it on the web, a desktop app for Mac and earlier versions of Windows, as well as OneDrive apps for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Xbox. Yes, Xbox.Linux? No, not yet. The InSync client, which I've long recommended for Google Drive, also works with OneDrive. This program costs $40 for an individual lifetime subscription and $160 for a team license.Microsoft OneDrive's real selling point -- besides working hand-in-glove with Windows -- is that it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office programs. With Microsoft 365, you can also collaborate in real time with your partners in documents and spreadsheets.OneDrive comes with 5GB of free storage. Microsoft 365 users get an extra terabyte per user starting with the $6 monthly subscription. Microsoft 365 Family users get a terabyte per user up to 6TB for $130 a year.Microsoft 365 Business Standard users get access to the full online versions of Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, plus a TB of storage at $12.50 per user per month with an annual subscription. If you need additional storage, check out the Office 365 Extra File Storage plan, but this can become very expensive quickly.That said, if you're already a Microsoft 365 user, this is a no-brainer. OneDrive is perfect for anyone who uses Windows and Microsoft Office daily.OneDrive features: Free storage:OneDrive starts its offers with 5GB for free | Variety of storage plans | Multiple user support | Multi-platform | Productivity apps | CoPilot add-on Pros Perfect for Windows users Works great for Microsoft 365 Excellent for file sharing Cons No native Linux support Can be very expensive OneDrive is baked into Windows, and they're delicious together. As far as a Windows user is concerned, OneDrive is just another directory in the File Explorer -- talk about easy. Anyone can use it on the web, a desktop app for Mac and earlier versions of Windows, as well as OneDrive apps for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Xbox. Yes, Xbox.Linux? No, not yet. The InSync client, which I've long recommended for Google Drive, also works with OneDrive. This program costs $40 for an individual lifetime subscription and $160 for a team license.Microsoft OneDrive's real selling point -- besides working hand-in-glove with Windows -- is that it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office programs. With Microsoft 365, you can also collaborate in real time with your partners in documents and spreadsheets.OneDrive comes with 5GB of free storage. Microsoft 365 users get an extra terabyte per user starting with the $6 monthly subscription. Microsoft 365 Family users get a terabyte per user up to 6TB for $130 a year.Microsoft 365 Business Standard users get access to the full online versions of Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, plus a TB of storage at $12.50 per user per month with an annual subscription. If you need additional storage, check out the Office 365 Extra File Storage plan, but this can become very expensive quickly.That said, if you're already a Microsoft 365 user, this is a no-brainer. OneDrive is perfect for anyone who uses Windows and Microsoft Office daily.OneDrive features: Free storage:OneDrive starts its offers with 5GB for free | Variety of storage plans | Multiple user support | Multi-platform | Productivity apps | CoPilot add-on Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Box Like most cloud storage services, Box has clients for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It doesn't support Linux, but the third-party program, ExpanDriveenables Linux users to work with Box.The Business Starter Plan, which costs $5 per month, lets you upload files up to 2GB and provides 100GB of space. Personal users start with a 10GB free plan, but you can get 100GB of storage for $120 a year when you upgrade to the Personal Pro plan.One helpful feature for working users is the ability to keep multiple file versions. The Personal Pro edition allows you to keep 10 versions, while the Business Starter plan gives you 25.While Box is a fine cloud storage service, it really shines as a groupware or workflow application. The service enables you to share files with colleagues, assign tasks, leave comments on someone's work, and get file change notifications. It's integrated with Microsoft Office and Teams, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Slack, and more.Box starts out with a free cloud storage account and 10GB of storage. Box business plans start at $15 a month for three users and unlimited storage.Box features: Free storage:Box starts its offers with 10GB for free | Variety of storage plans including unlimited | Secure sharing |SOC 1/SOC 2/SOC 3 compliance | 1500+ integrations Pros Supports many platforms Excellent pairing of storage and office services Very affordable paid plan Cons Desktop clients can be confusing Like most cloud storage services, Box has clients for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It doesn't support Linux, but the third-party program, ExpanDriveenables Linux users to work with Box.The Business Starter Plan, which costs $5 per month, lets you upload files up to 2GB and provides 100GB of space. Personal users start with a 10GB free plan, but you can get 100GB of storage for $120 a year when you upgrade to the Personal Pro plan.One helpful feature for working users is the ability to keep multiple file versions. The Personal Pro edition allows you to keep 10 versions, while the Business Starter plan gives you 25.While Box is a fine cloud storage service, it really shines as a groupware or workflow application. The service enables you to share files with colleagues, assign tasks, leave comments on someone's work, and get file change notifications. It's integrated with Microsoft Office and Teams, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Slack, and more.Box starts out with a free cloud storage account and 10GB of storage. Box business plans start at $15 a month for three users and unlimited storage.Box features: Free storage:Box starts its offers with 10GB for free | Variety of storage plans including unlimited | Secure sharing |SOC 1/SOC 2/SOC 3 compliance | 1500+ integrations Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Dropbox Dropbox came first, so it's no wonder that so many of us have accounts. Sure, Dropbox Basic only has 2GB of free storage, but you can use it on any platform.You can get your files from Dropbox's website, desktop applications for Mac, Windows, and Linux, the native file systems, as well as the iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire mobile apps. It's a snap to set up, and you don't need to worry about syncing files as Dropbox is one of the most user-friendly options on our list.If you need more storage, Dropbox's personal plans increase to 2TB for $10 per month. An individual Dropbox Business plan costs $16.58 monthly for 3TB of storage. The Business Team Plans start with 9TB of storage at $15 a user per month for a minimum of three users. As always, Dropbox shines for its sheer simplicity and the fact that you can use it on almost any platform. If you value simplicity, speed, and ease, Dropbox should be your first choice.Dropbox features: Free storage: Dropbox starts its offers with 2GB for free | Variety of storage plans including individual & business| Multi-platform | PDF editing | Team management | Password protection Pros Simple to use Useable on essentially all platforms Free plan Cons It can be pricey Dropbox came first, so it's no wonder that so many of us have accounts. Sure, Dropbox Basic only has 2GB of free storage, but you can use it on any platform.You can get your files from Dropbox's website, desktop applications for Mac, Windows, and Linux, the native file systems, as well as the iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire mobile apps. It's a snap to set up, and you don't need to worry about syncing files as Dropbox is one of the most user-friendly options on our list.If you need more storage, Dropbox's personal plans increase to 2TB for $10 per month. An individual Dropbox Business plan costs $16.58 monthly for 3TB of storage. The Business Team Plans start with 9TB of storage at $15 a user per month for a minimum of three users. As always, Dropbox shines for its sheer simplicity and the fact that you can use it on almost any platform. If you value simplicity, speed, and ease, Dropbox should be your first choice.Dropbox features: Free storage: Dropbox starts its offers with 2GB for free | Variety of storage plans including individual & business| Multi-platform | PDF editing | Team management | Password protection Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Google Google Drive used to be just storage before Google took its online office suite, Google Docs, and pasted them together into Google One. If you're a little confused because Google Workplace is also available, you're in good company.To clarify, Google Workspace Individual is meant for small business owners, while Google One is a consumer subscription plan that gives you more storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.A Google account alone gives you 15GB of free storage and an excellent office suite. It's good enough that many businesses and Chromebook owners now use it as their complete cloud-based office. If you buy a Chromebook and are a new Google One customer, you'll get 100GB of free cloud storage for a year. With both kinds of free storage, it's shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.Google Drive comes with clients for most operating systems, except Linux. Google promised long ago that there would be a Linux client, but it's yet to arrive. There is, however, an excellent third-party Linux commercial client, Insync.Need more storage? No problem. Under the name Google One, Google Drive storage offers 100GB for $2 per month or $20 per year, or 200GB for $3 per month or $30 per year. For 2TB, you pay $10 per month or $100 annually. You can share your storage with up to five other people using any of these plans.You can also use the Google One app on both Android and iOS devices to automatically back up your smartphones. This includes your device data, multimedia messages, as well as photos and videos in their original quality.One of Google Drive's best features is its integration with Google Search. So, for example, if you've lost track of a file but remember a couple of words in it, it's easy to find. I use this feature almost every day.Google Drive features: Free storage:Google Drive starts its offers with 15GB for free | Variety of storage plans including individual & business| Secure sharing | Multi-platform | AI tools Pros Great storage Excellent additional services Good pricing Includes a free plan Cons The web interface can be complicated Google Drive used to be just storage before Google took its online office suite, Google Docs, and pasted them together into Google One. If you're a little confused because Google Workplace is also available, you're in good company.To clarify, Google Workspace Individual is meant for small business owners, while Google One is a consumer subscription plan that gives you more storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.A Google account alone gives you 15GB of free storage and an excellent office suite. It's good enough that many businesses and Chromebook owners now use it as their complete cloud-based office. If you buy a Chromebook and are a new Google One customer, you'll get 100GB of free cloud storage for a year. With both kinds of free storage, it's shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.Google Drive comes with clients for most operating systems, except Linux. Google promised long ago that there would be a Linux client, but it's yet to arrive. There is, however, an excellent third-party Linux commercial client, Insync.Need more storage? No problem. Under the name Google One, Google Drive storage offers 100GB for $2 per month or $20 per year, or 200GB for $3 per month or $30 per year. For 2TB, you pay $10 per month or $100 annually. You can share your storage with up to five other people using any of these plans.You can also use the Google One app on both Android and iOS devices to automatically back up your smartphones. This includes your device data, multimedia messages, as well as photos and videos in their original quality.One of Google Drive's best features is its integration with Google Search. So, for example, if you've lost track of a file but remember a couple of words in it, it's easy to find. I use this feature almost every day.Google Drive features: Free storage:Google Drive starts its offers with 15GB for free | Variety of storage plans including individual & business| Secure sharing | Multi-platform | AI tools Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Nextcloud Nextcloud Files is an open-source program that enables you to set up your own cloud storage service using your existing servers and hard drives. This do-it-yourself cloud is for everyone who values security and privacy.You can use Nextcloud to set up cloud storage on an office server or your own external server. When it comes to storage, it's merely a question of how much you want. I have a 4TB Nextcloud drive in my office and another terabyte off my co-hosted server rack.Still, while NextCloud is easy for a Linux power user to set up, it would prove a challenge to people who don't know the operating system that well.Nextcloud is also evolving. It started as a standalone Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) file storage cloud. It's been adding more services, making it more of an all-in-one office suite like those offered by Google and Microsoft.These days, Nextcloud comes in four parts: Nextcloud Files, the original cloud file server; Nextcloud Talk, an audio/video conferencing and text chat program; Nextcloud Groupware, which integrates Calendar, Contacts, Mail, and other productivity features; and Nextcloud Office a LibreOffice-based online office suite. Businesses can integrate all of them together with Nextcloud Hub.Nextcloud comes with a free and a business edition. With the free version, you set it up using your own computers. You get as much storage as you have available on your machines.If you don't want to run it yourself, the business version,Nextcloud Enterprise, comes with basic support starting at 100 users and costs 37.49, or about $39, per user per year.This cloud storage solution is for anyone who wants the maximum amount of control over their cloud and doesn't mind doing some extra work to get it just right. I highly recommend it.Nextcloud Filesfeatures: Free storage:DIY unlimited| Open source | DIY option | Business plan available Pros Open source Free Offers a variety of services Cons It can be difficult to set up Nextcloud Files is an open-source program that enables you to set up your own cloud storage service using your existing servers and hard drives. This do-it-yourself cloud is for everyone who values security and privacy.You can use Nextcloud to set up cloud storage on an office server or your own external server. When it comes to storage, it's merely a question of how much you want. I have a 4TB Nextcloud drive in my office and another terabyte off my co-hosted server rack.Still, while NextCloud is easy for a Linux power user to set up, it would prove a challenge to people who don't know the operating system that well.Nextcloud is also evolving. It started as a standalone Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) file storage cloud. It's been adding more services, making it more of an all-in-one office suite like those offered by Google and Microsoft.These days, Nextcloud comes in four parts: Nextcloud Files, the original cloud file server; Nextcloud Talk, an audio/video conferencing and text chat program; Nextcloud Groupware, which integrates Calendar, Contacts, Mail, and other productivity features; and Nextcloud Office a LibreOffice-based online office suite. Businesses can integrate all of them together with Nextcloud Hub.Nextcloud comes with a free and a business edition. With the free version, you set it up using your own computers. You get as much storage as you have available on your machines.If you don't want to run it yourself, the business version,Nextcloud Enterprise, comes with basic support starting at 100 users and costs 37.49, or about $39, per user per year.This cloud storage solution is for anyone who wants the maximum amount of control over their cloud and doesn't mind doing some extra work to get it just right. I highly recommend it.Nextcloud Filesfeatures: Free storage:DIY unlimited| Open source | DIY option | Business plan available Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at pCloud I'm always cautious about "lifetime" subscriptions to anything, especially computer services. After nine years in business, I'm inclined to give the Switzerland-based pCloud the benefit of the doubt. I also like that pCloud comes with clients for Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as Android and iOS smartphones.PCloud offers 4GB of free storage for starters. You can also add more storage, at 1GB a go, for installing a desktop app, a smartphone app, storing your smartphone's videos and photos to pCloud, as well as getting others to subscribe to pCloud. You can max this out at 10GB of free storage.If you're really serious about your storage, you can get 500GB of storage forever for a one-time payment of $199, or 2TB for $399. That's a sweet deal. Need more? 10TB is priced at $1,190.Another nice feature is that pCloud comes with client-side-only file encryption. With pCloud Crypto, you encrypt your files using 256-bit AES, and no one except you can read them. When they say "no one," they mean "no one." If you lose your password, you lose your data. These files are stored in the Crypto folder. This feature costs $50 per year, or $150 for a lifetime plan. It's included for free on business plans. You can also opt to store your data in the more privacy-conscious European Union servers.If you have some files you want to share with others -- but do not share your password with them -- you can store unencrypted folders in the same account with your secured files and folders.The business service starts with 1TB for $8 per seat per month (paid annually) with a minimum of three users annually.If privacy and paying once for cloud storage for a very long time appeals to you, check out pCloud.pCloud features: Free storage:pCloud starts its offers with up to 10GB for free | Variety of storage plans including lifetime options | Shared link traffic | Client-side encryption | Password manager Pros Lifetime contract Best of breed security Multi-platform Cons It's expensive unless you're sure that pCloud will be able to meet its support promise I'm always cautious about "lifetime" subscriptions to anything, especially computer services. After nine years in business, I'm inclined to give the Switzerland-based pCloud the benefit of the doubt. I also like that pCloud comes with clients for Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as Android and iOS smartphones.PCloud offers 4GB of free storage for starters. You can also add more storage, at 1GB a go, for installing a desktop app, a smartphone app, storing your smartphone's videos and photos to pCloud, as well as getting others to subscribe to pCloud. You can max this out at 10GB of free storage.If you're really serious about your storage, you can get 500GB of storage forever for a one-time payment of $199, or 2TB for $399. That's a sweet deal. Need more? 10TB is priced at $1,190.Another nice feature is that pCloud comes with client-side-only file encryption. With pCloud Crypto, you encrypt your files using 256-bit AES, and no one except you can read them. When they say "no one," they mean "no one." If you lose your password, you lose your data. These files are stored in the Crypto folder. This feature costs $50 per year, or $150 for a lifetime plan. It's included for free on business plans. You can also opt to store your data in the more privacy-conscious European Union servers.If you have some files you want to share with others -- but do not share your password with them -- you can store unencrypted folders in the same account with your secured files and folders.The business service starts with 1TB for $8 per seat per month (paid annually) with a minimum of three users annually.If privacy and paying once for cloud storage for a very long time appeals to you, check out pCloud.pCloud features: Free storage:pCloud starts its offers with up to 10GB for free | Variety of storage plans including lifetime options | Shared link traffic | Client-side encryption | Password manager Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Apple I didn't like iCloud for years, even when I used it on my Macs. The service finally fixed enough bugs that I can say Mac, iPhone, or iPad users can trust it with their data. In the bad old days, iCloud was supposed to offer seamless integration and ease of use for any iGadget. In practice, it was a cranky mess. Today, it's much better.Owning an Apple product gives you 5GB of free iCloud storage. One good feature is that anything you buy from the iTunes Store doesn't count against your storage limit. You can use iCloud to automatically back up all your Apple devices' data onto its servers.Of course, 5GB won't cut it for serious backups. Instead, you'll need to upgrade to one of three iCloud+ plans: $1 per month for 50GB, $3 per month for 200GB, or $10 per month for 2TB. ICloud+ plans also include security features such as Cloud Private Relay,Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video. While it's not a big selling point, iCloud is also integrated with iWork, Apple's low-end productivity suite. It's no Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, but it's okay for something simple like schoolwork. I'm still not crazy about iCloud -- I doubt I ever will be -- but if you're already an Apple user all the time, it's finally worth using iCloud.Apple iCloudfeatures: Free storage:Apple iCloud starts its offers with up to 5GB for free | Variety of plans | Private Relay | Email masking | Secure video storage Pros Free 5GB with any Apple device Works hand-in-glove with iWorks Good interface Cons High prices Has experienced technical problems I didn't like iCloud for years, even when I used it on my Macs. The service finally fixed enough bugs that I can say Mac, iPhone, or iPad users can trust it with their data. In the bad old days, iCloud was supposed to offer seamless integration and ease of use for any iGadget. In practice, it was a cranky mess. Today, it's much better.Owning an Apple product gives you 5GB of free iCloud storage. One good feature is that anything you buy from the iTunes Store doesn't count against your storage limit. You can use iCloud to automatically back up all your Apple devices' data onto its servers.Of course, 5GB won't cut it for serious backups. Instead, you'll need to upgrade to one of three iCloud+ plans: $1 per month for 50GB, $3 per month for 200GB, or $10 per month for 2TB. ICloud+ plans also include security features such as Cloud Private Relay,Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video. While it's not a big selling point, iCloud is also integrated with iWork, Apple's low-end productivity suite. It's no Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, but it's okay for something simple like schoolwork. I'm still not crazy about iCloud -- I doubt I ever will be -- but if you're already an Apple user all the time, it's finally worth using iCloud.Apple iCloudfeatures: Free storage:Apple iCloud starts its offers with up to 5GB for free | Variety of plans | Private Relay | Email masking | Secure video storage Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best cloud storage service? Personally, I prefer iDrive, Google Drive, and Nextcloud -- but those meet my needs best. Here is a look at how all the services compare in vital metrics:Cloud storage serviceApple iCloudBoxDropboxGoogle DriveiDriveNextCloudOneDrivepCloudFree Storage5GB10GB2GB15GB5GBVaries5GB10GBFocusPhoto storage and storageOffice work and storageStoragePhoto storage, storage, office workStorage and backupStorage, office work, and backupOffice work and storageStorage and backupSpecial FeaturesMac and iPhone integrationOnline office integrationMost support for uncommon platformsGoogle One integrationBackupOpen source and securityMicrosoft 365 and Windows integrationSecurityThere are a variety of options to suit many different purposes. So, whether you want to backup family pictures or keep business docs secure, we have a service for you. Show more Which is the right cloud storage service for you? Choose this cloud storage service..If you want or need..iDriveThe best cloud storage service overall. iDrive is one of my favorites as it provides an excellent pairing of storage and office tools.OneDriveA cloud storage solution with a Microsoft flair. OneDrive works well with Microsoft 365 and provides a fair amount of storage for an affordable price.BoxA cloud storage solution to help with productivity. Box's benefits include the storage of multiple file types and versions.DropboxA free, limited cloud storage option. If you want a simple, well-known, cross-platform solution, Dropbox may suit you.Google DriveA business-ready cloud storage service. Google Drive provides 15GB of space to free users and a variety of storage options and solutions for businesses worldwide.Nextcloud FilesAn open source solution. Nextcloud Files is your best bet if you want a do-it-yourself cloud storage option.pCloudA lifetime subscription to a cloud storage service. PCloud has a variety of plans, including personal and business subscriptions.Apple iCloudA cloud storage service solution for iOS users. While it's far from my favorite, Apple iCloud provides some free storage and operates well with iWork. Show more Cloud storage services FAQs How does cloud storage work? When it comes to cloud storage, a cloud really is just someone else's hard drive. Despite the endless stories of how clouds are insecure, your data is encrypted while traveling over the internet to your providers' servers. Once there, it's encrypted on those servers. Your data is probably safer there than it is at your home or office.It's invisible to you, but behind the scenes, the best cloud storage services don't upload a completely new copy of your files every time you modify them. Instead, they only ship the changes to your files. This saves you time and bandwidth. Show more Is cloud storage safe? Generally speaking, cloud storage services are safe. The cloud storage services on this list all store your files on encrypted cloud servers. This means that your data and files are scrambled to make it harder for cybercriminals to access the information.However, it's also vital to protect data on your end too. You can do this by refraining from using a public Wi-Fi connection and changing your passwords regularly.Also: Protect your privacy from hackers, spies, and the government Show more How do I connect to cloud storage? How you connect to and access your cloud storage depends on the provider. For example, you may need to access your storage through a browser or mobile app. In most cases, you will need to log in and authenticate using your account credentials -- and potentially a two-factor authentication method. Alternatively, some cloud storage providers have dedicated desktop software for easy file management and access. Show more Is Google Drive a cloud storage service? Google Drive is a cloud-based storage service that allows users to store up to 15GB of files, documents, and pictures for free. Best of all, it's very easy to use.Also: How to organize your Google DriveIt also offers users built-in protection from threats like malware, ransomware. Think of it as your digital security guard ensuring your data remains safe from the prying eyes of cybercriminals. And for work, it offers easy integration with programs like Microsoft 365. Show more Do I still own my data when it's on the cloud? Yes, you do. And, no, the company can't read or use it for their own purposes. So, for example, a cloud company shouldn't be able to use your documents to train an artificial intelligenceprogram without your consent. Show more Should I still secure my data? Yes, you should. Just because a company says your data is safe doesn't mean that it can't be hacked. So, if privacy and security is important to you, choose a cloud storage service that uses robust encryption both in transit and at rest.For additional security, turn on two-factor verification to ensure that no one can break into your online files. Show more Can you get 100GB of free storage? Several services offer huge amounts of free storage, but I don't trust any of them. It falls under the adage you get what you pay for, and the tradeoff could be your privacy and security. Google offers the most free storage at 15GB. Show more What's the most trustworthy cloud storage provider? It's a tie between NextBox and pCloud. Do you want to be sure as anyone can be that your data's safe from prying eyes? If so, I recommend either building your own cloud storage service with NextCloud or using the high-security pCloud. With NextCloud, you decide where to keep your data.I use both my own in-house servers and an offsite server. With pCloud, you can decide between U.S. or E.U. servers to store your data safely. Either way, with pCloud, you get the best available data encryption. Show more Didn't Amazon offer a personal cloud storage service? Yes, they did. It was called Amazon Cloud Drive, but Amazon closed it down at the end of 2023. Of course, serious businesses with big storage needs use services likeAmazon Web Services (AWS) S3 and Amazon FSx. These services are not meant for ordinary users. Show more Are there alternatives to cloud storage services worth considering? Sure. It's fine to use Network Attached-Storage (NAS) for backups -- I do -- but you're always one house fire or burglary away from kissing your data goodbye. If you want a serious backup, you can turn to alternative long-time cloud backup champions for more security.You face the same problem with using portable drives and USB sticks for extra on the road storage. If someone grabs your drive, your data is gone forever.All these are worthwhile in their own right, but they also all have security worries. Show more Are there other worthwhile cloud options? Indeed there are. Here are some of my favorites. Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends