Offline disk import and the OmNomNom machine

Google has expanded its offline disk import service to include new centers in Switzerland, Japan, and India, allowing users worldwide to import large datasets by mailing hard drives instead of relying on potentially unreliable or costly internet connections. Originally developed for efficiently importing data from the hard drives of Google's Street View cars, the system, humorously named OmNomNom, rapidly ingests and processes large data sources, improving the time between image capture and user availability. This service highlights the global reach and scalability of Google Cloud Storage, offering users the ability to send EncFS encrypted hard drives for import to designated GCS buckets, with options for returning the drives or secure destruction. The initiative demonstrates Google's commitment to providing scalable infrastructure solutions, with options for those who prefer online access through tools like gsutil.