What was Google’s online file-storage service called when it launched in 2012?

Google’s online file-storage service launched in 2012 under the name Google Drive.

Google Drive debuted on April 24, 2012, giving users cloud storage for documents, photographs, videos, and other files. It also connected closely with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, allowing people to create and edit files in a browser.

The service replaced Google Docs’ earlier storage model with a broader file-management system. Users could synchronize files across computers and access them from the web or mobile devices. Google initially offered a free storage allowance alongside paid plans.

Google Drive is distinct from Google Cloud Storage, which is designed primarily for developers and businesses storing application data. Drive is a user-facing productivity and file-sharing service. Its relationship with Docs can cause confusion: Docs is the editing suite, while Drive is the storage and organization layer that can contain those files.