Online data backup services have become increasingly popular in the past 6 months. They offer a key benefit over traditional backup methods such as using an external hard drive – the data is stored off-site. That means, even if something catastrophic were to happen to your home (earthquake, fire, flood, etc…), your data will be safe and sound in a secured, remote datacenter.
I’ve been using HP’s Upline service since they launched last April…they offered a nice plan of $59 per year for unlimited storage. But HP has really dropped the ball. Upline has suffered extended downtimes – not exactly comforting for a product that is supposed to be your saving grace when the poop hits the fan. And finally, this morning, I received the following email:
Thank you for your interest in HP Upline.
HP continually evaluates product lines and has decided to discontinue the HP Upline service on March 31, 2009.
HP will no longer be backing up your files to the HP Upline servers as of Feb 26, 2009 at 8 am Pacific time. HP will keep the file restore feature of the Upline service operational through March 31, 2009 Pacific time in order for you to download any files you have backed up to Upline.
If you have a paid subscription to HP Upline, you will be refunded the full amount of the fees you paid for the service. That refund will be credited to the credit card account or PayPal account that you used to subscribe to the Upline service. If you do not receive the refund prior to March 31, 2009, please contact our customer service team at https://www.upline.com/support/email.aspx.
HP looks forward to offering you additional technology products and services in the future.
Thank you.
HP Upline team
Competitor, Mozy, is taking advantage Upline’s demise and is offering new users a 20% discount off their 1- and 2-year plans (USE DISCOUNT CODE: UPLINE). Check it out and let us know what you think!
