Bitcasa

{{Infobox Software2

| name = Bitcasa

| logo = Bitcasa Logo.png

| logo size = 200px

| screenshot =

| caption =

| developer = Bitcasa, Inc.

| author = Tony Gauda
Kevin Blackham

| released = September 2011

| operating system = Microsoft Windows
OS X
Android
Linux

| genre = Cloud storage

| website = {{URL|http://www.bitcasa.com/}}

}}

Bitcasa, Inc. was an American cloud storage company founded in 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/BizNext/2013/05/bitcasas-tony-gauda-on-boosting-black.html|title=Bitcasa's Tony Gauda on boosting black tech entrepreneurs|author=|date=31 May 2013|work=St. Louis Business Journal|accessdate=4 November 2015}} The company was later based in Mountain View, California until it shut down in 2017.[https://archive.today/20120710223441/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=140633921 Bitcasa, Inc.], Bloomberg Businessweek

Bitcasa provided client software for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Android and web browsers. An iOS client was pending Apple approval.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Bitcasa/status/525748699511918592|title=Bitcasa|author=|date=|work=Twitter|accessdate=4 November 2015}} Its former product, Infinite Drive, once provided centralized storage that included unlimited capacity, client-side encryption, media streaming, file versioning and backups, and multi-platform mobile access.[https://venturebeat.com/2012/12/18/bitcasa-brings-infinite-cloud-storage-to-android-win-8-with-new-apps-ios-coming-soon/ Bitcasa brings ‘infinite’ cloud storage to Android & Win 8 with new apps, iOS & Mac coming soon]. VentureBeat. Retrieved on 2013-09-05. In 2013 Bitcasa moved to a tiered storage model, offering from 1TB for $99/year up to Infinite for $999/year.[https://www.engadget.com/2013/11/19/bitcasa-infinite-cloud-storage-price-change/ Bitcasa's infinite cloud storage balloons to $999 a year] Engadget. Retrieved on 2014-10-23. In October 2014, Bitcasa announced the discontinuation of Infinite Drive; for $999/year, users would get 10TB of storage.[https://gigaom.com/2014/10/23/bitcasa-nixes-unlimited-storage-plan-as-it-upgrades-its-infrastructure/ Bitcasa nixes unlimited storage plan as it upgrades its infrastructure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023222500/https://gigaom.com/2014/10/23/bitcasa-nixes-unlimited-storage-plan-as-it-upgrades-its-infrastructure/ |date=2014-10-23 }} GigaOM. Retrieved on 2014-10-23. Infinite Drive users would be required to migrate to one of the new pricing plans or delete their account. In May 2016, Bitcasa discontinued offering cloud storage for consumers, alleging that they will be focusing on their business products.

History

The company started after an idea that was a finalist at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in September 2011.[https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/12/with-bitcasa-the-entire-cloud-is-your-hard-drive-for-only-10-per-month/ With Bitcasa, The Entire Cloud Is Your Hard Drive For Only $10 Per Month], TechCrunch, September 12, 2011. In 2012 Tony Lee was recruited as vice president of engineering{{cite web | title=Bitcasa Appoints Tony Lee Joins as VP of Engineering | publisher=Manufacturing Close-Up | date=Sep 17, 2012 | author=Unknown author}} and Frank Meehan joined the company's board of directors.{{cite web | title=Industry Veteran Tony Lee Joins Bitcasa as Vice President of Engineering. | publisher=Journal of Technology | date=Sep 25, 2012 | author=Staff writer}} In June 2012 Bitcasa closed $9 million of investment. Investors included: CrunchFund, Pelion Venture Partners, Horizons Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Samsung Ventures and First Round Capital.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Colleen|title=Bitcasa Launches Its \u2018Infinite Storage\u2019 App To The Public To Take Down Traditional Hard Drives|date=5 February 2013 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/02/05/bitcasa-launches-its-infinite-storage-app-to-the-public-to-take-down-traditional-hard-drives-tctv/|publisher=TechCrunch|accessdate=5 February 2013}}

CEO Brian Taptich announced Jan 2017 that Bitcasa had been acquired by Intel. An Intel spokesperson later clarified that Intel had not acquired Bitcasa.[https://venturebeat.com/2017/01/05/intel-acquires-cloud-storage-startup-bitcasa/ Intel does/doesn't acquire Bitcasa]

Products and services

Bitcasa provided client software for web browsers, OS X, Microsoft Windows, Linux and a mobile app for Android. Windows versions include XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Bitcasa products provide centralized streaming storage so that all devices have simultaneous and real-time access to the same files. Files uploaded from one device are instantly available on all devices. Bitcasa does not require file syncing between devices. Centralized storage eliminates the need to duplicate files across devices or wait for files to become synchronized.[https://venturebeat.com/2011/09/12/bitcasa-disrupt-launch/ Bitcasa turns your hard drive into a cloud server with infinite space]. VentureBeat. Retrieved on 2013-09-05.

The company has a patent pending for an "infinite storage"{{cite web | title=WIPO Publishes Patent of Bicasa | publisher=US Fed News Service | date=Nov 27, 2012 | author=Unknown author}} algorithm designed to reduce the actual storage space by identifying duplicate content and providing encryption of the stored data.[http://www.pcworld.com/article/239888/bitcasa_will_offer_unlimited_cloud_storage_for_10_a_month.html Bitcasa Will Offer Unlimited Cloud Storage for $10 a Month], PC World, September 13, 2011.[http://startupsip.com/2011/09/12/bitcasa/ Bitcasa gets an early start on IP acquisition], Startups and IP Strategy, September 12, 2011. According to Popular Mechanics magazine, Bitcasa uses a convergent encryption method whereby a client's data is assigned an anonymous identifier before it is uploaded. If that data already exists on the Bitcasa servers (such as a popular song), it is not uploaded but is instead earmarked as available for download by that client. This protocol is said to reduce upload time.{{cite web | title=Convergent Encryption | publisher=Popular Mechanic | date=January 3, 2012 | author=John Herrman | url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a7354/10-tech-concepts-you-need-to-know-for-2012/}} Bitcasa's encryption method reportedly cloaks the data while it is still on the client's computer and then blocks of data are sent by an enterprise-grade AES-256 encryption method to the data cloud for storage.[https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/18/bitcasa-explains-encryption/ TechCrunch talks to Bitcasa CEO about encryption] TechCrunch September 2011 According to ExtremeTech, this service gives users access and ownership rights to their own data.

In a review by Gizmodo of Australia, Bitcasa's cloud service was described as a "winner" that is "pricier than its competitors" but supported by Mac, PC and Android platforms.{{cite web | url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/03/the-best-cloud-storage-services/ | title=The Best Cloud Storage Services | publisher=Gizmodo | date=March 23, 2013 | accessdate=2013-04-10 | author=Limer, Eric}}

=Mobile=

Users could access their Infinite Drive through mobile apps for Android, Windows RT, and browsers and support offline viewing of files. The app collects and displays individual media types such as photos, video, music, and documents, independently of the folder hierarchy that they are stored in. Video files are streamed and auto-transcoded based on the device bandwidth. Items may be uploaded or downloaded or shared directly with social media sites. Files of any size can be shared with a web link that can distributed via email, text or IM.{{cite web|last=Crook |first=Jordan|title=30 Petabytes Later, Bitcasa Takes Infinite Storage To Version 2.0 With Revamped Android, Desktop Apps|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/23/30-petabytes-later-bitcasa-takes-infinite-storage-to-version-2-0-with-revamped-android-ios-desktop-apps|work=Techcrunch|accessdate=25 June 2014|date=23 July 2013}} After the initial server migration, only apps for Android, iOS and browsers were updated, effectively rendering other devices unusable with the service.

Security

A September 2011 article published in Extreme Tech said that Bitcasa's convergent encryption based system is "mostly" safe but has some risks associated with it.{{cite web | url=http://www.extremetech.com/computing/96693-how-convergent-encryption-makes-bitcasas-infinite-storage-possible | title=How convergent encryption makes Bitcasa's infinite storage possible | publisher=Extremetech.com | date=September 20, 2011 | accessdate=2013-05-08}}

New pricing and changes

=November 2013=

On November 19, 2013, the company announced that its Infinite Storage offering would increase in price. The move sparked an intense reaction from users at the company's forum, even though existing users were grandfathered into the original pricing plan.{{cite web|url=http://blog.bitcasa.com/2013/11/19/our-new-pricing-and-the-evolution-of-bitcasa/ |title=Our New Pricing and the Evolution of Bitcasa | bitcasa blog |access-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030002/http://blog.bitcasa.com/2013/11/19/our-new-pricing-and-the-evolution-of-bitcasa/ |archive-date=2013-12-03 }} Reactions from bloggers were particularly critical.{{cite web|url=http://awildduck.com/?p=2881|title=Update: Bitcasa bursts its bubble|author=|date=2013-11-21|work=A Wild Duck|accessdate=4 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://cloudstoragebuzz.com/bitcasa/bitcasas-blunder/|title=Bitcasa's Blunder|author=|date=2013-11-20|work=Cloud Storage Buzz|accessdate=4 November 2015}} The announcement of the pricing plans change on the Bitcasa blog was commented on heavily by users. This post, and the ensuing comments were removed from the internet by Bitcasa.

Bitcasa introduced an interface for developers.

=October 2014=

On October 23, 2014, Bitcasa announced it would be removing all of its grandfathered 'infinite' plans. Although the company had assured customers that these plans would be continued as long as they had not cancelled their service.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/_ade/status/525381163305947136|title=Adrian Rowbotham|author=|date=|work=Twitter|accessdate=4 November 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F612-grandfather-plans-can-we-get-a-guarantee%2F%3Fp=4134 |title=Grandfather Plans - Can we get a guarantee - General Discussions - Bitcasa Community Forums |access-date=2018-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027101600/http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F612-grandfather-plans-can-we-get-a-guarantee%2F%3Fp=4134 |archive-date=2014-10-27 |url-status=dead }} Later the company removed their official blog post about this, though it is still available on the WayBack Machine.{{Cite web |date= |title=Our New Pricing and the Evolution of Bitcasa |url=http://blog.bitcasa.com/2013/11/19/our-new-pricing-and-the-evolution-of-bitcasa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030002/http://blog.bitcasa.com/2013/11/19/our-new-pricing-and-the-evolution-of-bitcasa/ |archive-date=2013-12-03 |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=bitcasa.com}} Bitcasa backtracked due to 'lack of demand' and 'abuse'.{{cite web|url=http://blog.bitcasa.com/2014/10/23/important-we-are-upgrading-storage-infrastructure-and-need-you-to-take-action/|title=Important: We are Upgrading Storage Infrastructure and Need You to Take Action - The Bitcasa Blog|author=|date=|work=bitcasa.com|access-date=4 November 2015|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20150411122147/http%3A//blog.bitcasa.com/2014/10/23/important%2Dwe%2Dare%2Dupgrading%2Dstorage%2Dinfrastructure%2Dand%2Dneed%2Dyou%2Dto%2Dtake%2Daction/|archive-date=2015-04-11|url-status=dead}}

The company instead offered previous clients the same packages that regular users pay at $10/month for 1TB ($99 annually) or $99/month for 10TB ($999 annually).{{cite web|url=https://www.bitcasa.com/personal/pricing|title=Personal Drive - The Bitcasa Cloud Storage Platform|author=|date=|work=bitcasa.com|access-date=4 November 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141024004953/https://www.bitcasa.com/personal/pricing|archive-date=2014-10-24|url-status=dead}}

The company gave users 23 days to migrate or download their data, or it would be deleted. This move was criticized by many users as not being physically possible at the download rates provided by Bitcasa.{{Cite web |url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F1950-downloading-everything-impossible-in-given-timeframe%2F%3Fp=14453 |title=Downloading everything impossible in given timeframe - Account Update - Bitcasa Community Forums |access-date=2018-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027102340/http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F1950-downloading-everything-impossible-in-given-timeframe%2F%3Fp=14453 |archive-date=2014-10-27 |url-status=dead }}

As a result of a system migration, some users had data loss, some of which was not replaceable. Angry customers gave the company bad feedback, and the community forum became less active.

The company has offered yearly subscribers the right to cancel and get a prorated refund. However, it disabled the ability to cancel accounts and refused to delete accounts through its support system.{{Cite web |url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2366-how-do-i-finally-get-rid-of-this-bs-cant-delete-my-account%2F |title=How do I finally get rid of this BS? Can't delete my account. - General Discussions - Bitcasa Community Forums |access-date=2018-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105021041/http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2366-how-do-i-finally-get-rid-of-this-bs-cant-delete-my-account%2F |archive-date=2014-11-05 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2336-cannot-delete-account-please-read-kyle%2F |title=Cannot delete account - please read Kyle - General Discussions - Bitcasa Community Forums |access-date=2018-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105021038/http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2336-cannot-delete-account-please-read-kyle%2F |archive-date=2014-11-05 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2094-cant-cancel-my-account%2F |title=Can't cancel my account. - General Discussions - Bitcasa Community Forums |access-date=2018-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105021322/http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2094-cant-cancel-my-account%2F |archive-date=2014-11-05 |url-status=dead }}

On November 13, 2014, Northern Californian district judge William Alsup granted a temporary restraining order, enjoining Bitcasa from deleting and disabling access to Infinite Plan subscribers' data.{{cite web|url=http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/candce/3:2014cv05005/282162/6|title=ORDER GRANTING TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND SETTING HEARING re 3 Ex Parte Motion for Temporary Restraining Order for Romack v. Bitcasa, Inc :: Justia Dockets & Filings|author=|date=|work=Justia Dockets & Filings|accessdate=4 November 2015}} Bitcasa filed a response on 18 November, challenging the legality of the TRO.[https://archive.org/details/gov.uscourts.cand.282162 DEFENDANT BITCASA, INC.'S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER] As an apparent result of the restraining order, Bitcasa announced a 5-day extension of the deadline in an email to users on November 16; the email did not mention the restraining order.{{Cite web |url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2543-new-email-extended-to-nov-20th%2F |title=New Email "Extended to Nov 20th" |access-date=2018-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121223744/http://forums.bitcasa.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2543-new-email-extended-to-nov-20th%2F |archive-date=2014-11-21 |url-status=dead }} A hearing was set for 10.00 on 19 November; Bitcasa 'won' the lawsuit.{{Cite Pacer

| plaintiff = Romack

| defendant = Bitcasa

| title = Order Granting In Part And Denying In Part Preliminary Injunction

| date = Nov 19, 2014

| case-division = 3

| case-year = 2014

| case-type = cv

| case-sequence = 05005

| case-state = ca

| case-district = nd

| doc-number = 17

| pacer-number = 282162

| access-date = Jul 24, 2017

| use-pacer = no

}}

In February 2015, the Community Forum was shut down.{{cite web|url=http://forums.bitcasa.com/|title=Bitcasa Personal Drive Help Center|author=|date=|work=bitcasa.com|access-date=4 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310071724/http://forums.bitcasa.com/|archive-date=2015-03-10|url-status=dead}}{{clarify|date=August 2015}}

=April 2016=

On April 7, 2016, the company switched their free 5GB plan to a free trial tier. Users with this account prior April 7 would automatically start the trial and after the 60-day trial, if the user has not changed to a paid plan, their account and data will be deleted from the server.{{cite web|url=https://support.bitcasa.com/hc/en-us/articles/216139268|title=Bitcasa 60-Day Free Trial FAQ|author=|date=|work=bitcasa.com|accessdate=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407192240/https://support.bitcasa.com/hc/en-us/articles/216139268|archive-date=7 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

On April 21, 2016, Bitcasa announced they would discontinue their cloud storage service, and focus on business products. Users had until May 20, 2016 to download their data, when user data could be deleted.{{cite web|url=https://support.bitcasa.com/hc/en-us/articles/218389848|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426134020/https://support.bitcasa.com/hc/en-us/articles/218389848|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2016|title=Bitcasa Drive Being Discontinued on May 20, 2016|author=|date=|work=bitcasa.com|access-date=21 April 2016}} Bitcasa shut down their consumer cloud storage at the end of May 20, 2016, only offering products for developers.