Google announced its new cloud storage solution, Google Drive, this week. Like many other cloud storage services, Google Drive allows you to store and sync your files across your devices so that you can access them from anywhere, at any time.

Google Drive allows you to open your files directly online without having to download them, through Drive apps in Google Play. Users get 5GB of free Drive space to start (in addition to your 10GB of Gmail space and 1GB of Picasa space). Additional space starts at $2.49/month for 25GB, and you can purchase up to 16TB of storage.

December 14 update: Good news! Google has extended their free calling to US and Canadian phone numbers through 2012. This feature is now in its third year and is a great way to save on long-distance bills.

Originally posted January 10, 2011:Here's some good news from Google! In August we reported that Google had rolled out free calling to US and Canadian phone numbers. The only catch was that it would only be available through the end of 2010. Happily, Google announced that they're continuing to offer the service for free through 2011. This is a huge boon for anyone looking to save on long-distance bills or cellphone plans.

If you haven't yet used this feature, when you're within Gmail, click "Call Phone", select the country you wish to call and then enter the phone number. Make sure that you have speakers and a microphone hooked up to your computer. As we said above, you'll be able to call any Canadian or US number for free. You can call other countries for about 2¢ a minute.

Developer Rovio has teamed up with Google Chrome to showcase Angry Birds in your web browser at Chrome.AngryBirds.com and that means you get to play Angry Birds for free! It's designed Google's Chrome web browser and that's where it seems to work best, though other readers have reported that it also works with FireFox 4.

If you haven't played it yet, Angry Birds is a hugely addictive casual puzzle game that started on the iPhone but is now available across many other platforms. If you happen to have an Android phone you can also download Angry Birds for free in the Android Market. Don't blame us though if you lose hours of productivity...

GYBO.ca is a free offering from Google, Yola and a handful of other sponsors designed to help Canadian small business owners get their businesses online. It looks pretty straightforward, and when you sign up you'll get:

• A free .ca web address for 12 months
• A free website with templates and other resources from Yola
• A listing on Google Maps
• $75 credit for Google AdWords

If you already have your own domain, you can still take part in this offer.

While this offer is free, a credit card is required to register a .ca domain. This is simply to insure that the owner of the site lives in Canada and has a Canadian billing address. According to the site FAQ, you won't be automatically renewed at twelve months. It seems like an easy, low-risk way to make the jump if your business currently lacks an online presence.

The Google Maps Navigation Beta is now available in the Canadian Android Market after being initially released a few months ago internationally. In essence, it's free GPS software that turns your Android-based phone into its own Internet-connected GPS complete with turn-by-turn directions, voice search, traffic, streetview, and much more. You will need a data plan with your phone to be able to take advantage of these features but you can't beat free GPS software!

It's actually included in the Google Maps application so just search for 'Google Maps' in the Android Market.