Google announces Compute Engine

Google launched Compute Engine Infrastructure as a Service in a bid to offer cloud infrastructure much like Amazon Web Services. However, the effort, which is in a “limited preview,” lacks the depth and options provided by Amazon. In a nutshell, Google is allowing users to spin up virtual machines. Coupled with Google’s App Engine, Google Apps and Drive the company is building out its cloud stack.

Google’s promise is that it’ll provide all the access to its computing power to companies. The idea of a cloud stack isn’t exactly original. Amazon has focused on infrastructure as a service, but others offer a cloud menu of items. Everyone from Microsoft to Oracle to HP to IBM to VMware have a cloud stack. Although details were sparse, Google indicated that it will try to win vs. other cloud players based on raw performance. For Google its cloud compute effort could meld well with Google Docs, which will work offline in Chrome, and ultimately its Chromebooks, which will now be sold at Best Buy. Compute Engine and App Engine are seen as a good tag team to Google.