I don't know how you feel about blue collar, but if you want, need, or simply must have yet another email account, BlueTie is one to check out. BlueTie however, really is much more than just an email account. Not only is it free email with 5GB of storage per user (yes, more than Google so far), but provides unified calendar and other collaborative tools including shared file storage, an "enterprise" user manager, tasks, and a frighteningly Outlook-like calendar. Many features of BlueTie remind me of Outlook's meeting requests, contacts, calendar, and other features in fact. The free account limits you to 20 users, but who's counting? Small business owners and groups will love this app. It is AJAX based and looks good enough that I am considering putting my business on it entirely, since most of the app can be shared with all your people, contacts, calendar, and file storage. Did I mention that you can use your own domain with BlueTie, as well as the fact that it has Virus and Spam protection built in? Oh yeah, it has that too.

[Via TechCrunch]

Last month we told you that AOL would be giving away 5GB of web storage space to anyone who has an AOL screenname. Well it's true, Xdrive is now available, and I don't have an exclusive scoop or anything, I just went to the site and signed in. The service looks good. It is nothing like the old Xdrive service of past years (which is a good thing). The web interface is nice, and the site is available to Windows, Mac, and Linux users. Today's Xdrive is feature packed and well worth the free price tag, in fact at $9.95 a month, the 50GB drive is worth it too. You can opt to sign-up for the yearly payment plan, and you'll pay $99.50 (2 months free). Xdrive sports a built-in music player for your music, special photo features, mobile viewing and faxing of documents (from your cell), and even allows you to setup automated scheduled backups when you download the Xdrive desktop client. I had a small hiccup installing the desktop client, but it did end up working just fine.

AOL (this blog's parent company) announced today that starting next month it will offer 5GB of free online storage for all web users. The free online storage will start in September, and will be powered by Xdrive, a service acquired by AOL late last year. There will be no charges for uploading or downloading documents and files, and users will be able to access their files at www.xdrive.com.

The service will allow users to store digital photos, videos, and important documents in Xdrive's secure data facility, and will include:

• 5 Gigabytes (GB) secure online storage at no cost
• No charges for uploads or downloads
• Ability to store any type of file, including photos, music, video, and documents
• Drag and drop interface between online storage and hard drive
• Access to files through any Web-connected PC or mobile device
• Permission-based file and folder sharing
• Online collaboration via shared files
• Scheduled automatic backups
• Automatic upload of e-mail attachments from providers including AOL Mail, AIM Mail, or any non-AOL POP3 or IMAP-compatible mail providers
• Full-resolution photo storage
• Easy access to AOL Pictures for professional prints and photo gifts

The free Xdrive service will begin in early September and will be available to anyone with an AOL account or AIM screenname.

More discussion:

• AOL press release
• TechCrunch
• Jason Calacanis
• TechEffect
• Digg
• Netscape

Update: As several readers pointed out, the original post was somewhat "press-releasey," particularly given our ties to AOL. Though we're genuinely excited about this service, we've edited the post accordingly. --Jordan Running.