Google Takeout is a new service that has been created by a team of engineers at Google called the Data Liberation Front (DLF) and has been designed to assist you to move your data away from Google to another provider if you so wish.
Google doesn’t want you to move your data but Google thinks it’s important that you can if you would like, hence Google Takeout. The Takeout service enables you to be able to extract your data from Google’s web services into open, easily-transferable file formats. Watch a video after the jump for a run-through of the new service.
Why Google Takeout is Important
This week Google has launched a number of new services including Google+, along with its Facebookesque Circles service, and the timing for the new Google Takeout service has been perfectly timed.
Google’s main competitor to Google Circles, Facebook, makes it very difficult for users to remove their data and photos from their Facebook account. On the other hand, Google Takeout and the Data Liberation Front will ensure that Circles remains very open and easy for you to remove your data from.
How Google Takeout Works
Google Takeout is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. To use the service, you simply need to log into your Google account, navigate to the Google Takeout page, and select the data you wish to export. The service supports a wide range of Google products, including Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, and more. Once you have selected the data, Google Takeout will compile it into a downloadable archive file, typically in formats like .zip or .tgz, which can then be easily transferred to another service or stored locally.
The flexibility of Google Takeout is one of its key strengths. For example, if you are a photographer who uses Google Photos to store your images, you can use Google Takeout to download all your photos and videos in their original quality. Similarly, if you use Google Drive for document storage, you can export all your files, including Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, in formats that are compatible with other office software suites.
Another significant advantage of Google Takeout is its support for incremental backups. This means that you can periodically use the service to download only the new data that has been added since your last export, making it easier to keep your local backups up-to-date without having to download everything from scratch each time.
In conclusion, Google Takeout is a powerful tool that underscores Google’s commitment to data portability and user control. By making it easy for users to export their data, Google is setting a standard for transparency and user empowerment in the tech industry. Whether you are looking to switch to a different service provider or simply want to keep a local backup of your data, Google Takeout provides a reliable and efficient solution.
Source :
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
