HP floats a file backup service in the cloud

One thing you start to notice about companies doing business "in the cloud" is that it's becoming harder to tell whether they were software or hardware companies to begin with. This morning, Hewlett-Packard publicly launched a subscription-based backup service where the "cloud" houses duplicate data.

HP's Upline allows users to share their stored data with other Internet users via uniquely created URLs. Though HP offered similar services in the past, Upline was created using technology from Opelin, a startup company it recently acquired. Opelin created the Titanize software solution, though anyone searching for Opelin Titanize will now be redirected to HP Upline.

While Upline can be used online, HP has a widget that can be used with Windows XP and Windows Vista, that automatically retrieves data from the computer and sends it directly to a data center hosted by HP. The service gives customers another alternative for backing up data to ensure against data loss.

Users cannot back up disk images using Upline, but can save data to the HP cloud and another hard drive partition or USB flash drive simultaneously.

Users interested in testing Upline have access to a one-year license and up to 1 GB of data storage for free. HP offers three different subscription plans, all of which offer unlimited storage:

• Home & Home Office - Home users with up to three PCs can use Upline with one log-in account and password for $59 per year.
• Family - For as many as three subscriptions for $149 per year.
• Professional - Small businesses with up to 100 PCs, multi-user administrative dashboard, enhanced tech support for $299 per year.

Online data backup using cloud computing and other similar services has exploded in popularity in recent months. EMC has a similar service, Mozy, that lets users back up data. And BelnSync also has a similar online data service designed for use by businesses and professionals.

HP Upline is currently available only for US-based users. The Palo Alto-based company will eventually bundle Upline with all new HP products.