Online file sharing service

Online file storage and sharing service Box.net is helping to put the “cloud” in Dell’s first netbook, the Inspiron Mini 9. With only 4GB of built-in hard drive space, Dell needed some way to boost capacity. So it placed a default Box icon on the desktop that leads to 2GB of free internet storage (twice the normal 1GB that Box provides for free).

Drop.io, a file storage and sharing service, has partnered with Scribd to bring streamlined document viewing to the site. From now on all supported documents that have been uploaded to Drop.io will be viewable in Scribd’s Flash-based iPaper viewer.

I’ve always wondered why there are so many online file sharing and hosting services out there. I’ve seen hundreds in the last couple of years, and still new ones show up every week. After all, what can you do in this space that hasn’t been done before? Services like Box.net and DropSend seem to be covering all bases, and it’s getting almost impossible to innovate in this space.

Box.net, the online storage service, has updated their embeddable widget with a new group sharing feature for members with premium and professional accounts. Users can password protect a shared folder, which can then be accessed privately by others with the code. Storage owners can opt-in to allow user uploading, which lets anyone with access add files. The company is gearing it at businesses, whereas its previous widget incarnation was aimed at users with social networking profiles. For group users to keep track of updates to shared folders, each share gets its own RSS feed. Once subscribed, the name and direct download link will be broadcast to any subscribers. Neat. Note: I have the anonymous uploading turned off on the widget below. Read previous Box.net widget coverage here. [via ***

DivShare, the file host for social networks, has released a soft launch of its Groups service. With DivShare groups, you can form conversations and interactions around any topic, and meet new people. Of course, you can upload files and share media as well, and you’ll remember that with each photo. links are provided for various sizes, similar to Flickr’s image sharing, and you can add items to be shared on your Facebook or AIM accounts too. It’s extremely painless to sign up for a DivShare account and find and join other groups. The Dashboard keeps track of those you’re member to, and it’s equally simple to create your own group. DivShare rivals the likes of ***