Google Cloud Platform: new features, lower prices, extending European datacenters

In a 2012 update, Google Cloud Platform announced enhancements across its services, including Google App Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and Compute Engine, driven by user feedback and aimed at improving user experience. Key changes included the introduction of Durable Reduced Availability (DRA) storage, which offers cost savings by reducing data redundancy while maintaining performance and durability, and lower storage costs with over a 20% price reduction for standard storage. Additionally, Google expanded European datacenter support for quicker performance and international redundancy and introduced 36 new Compute Engine instance types, including high memory and high CPU options, alongside price reductions for existing instances. The update also featured Persistent Disk Snapshotting for easy data backup and mobility. These upgrades reflect Google's commitment to providing flexible, cost-effective cloud solutions for developers and businesses.