SkyDrive Gets a iOS Boost

If you are looking for "free" cloud storage check out Microsoft's SkyDrive. I have been a fan of this product since it's launch in August 2012. You can sign up at www.skydrive.com. The web interface is well designed and easy to use. Once you have a SkyDrive account you can link it to your Microsoft Office products for fast and convenient access anywhere. If you want more SkyDrive apps are available on most platforms. A free account will get you 7 GB of storage. You can upgrade from there if you want.

Yesterday, April 3 Microsoft released a much needed upgrade for iOS. This upgrade was delayed due to legal haggles between Apple & Microsoft and I am glad to find that an agreement between the two huge corporations was found. SkyDrive is in many ways superior to Dropbox.

Microsoft's announcement yesterday included:

"Today, we're excited to release v3.0 of the SkyDrive app for iOS that includes improved photo features, an updated UI, and a number of other new features and enhancements. You can install or update the SkyDrive app for iOS now via iTunes," Microsoft stated in an official blog post.
Microsoft has finally released this app for iOS after issues with Apple centering around a 30% revenue cut that Apple wanted if users were to purchase additional storage for their SkyDrive accounts via the SkyDrive app. Looks like Microsoft settled this issue but details of what took place behind closed doors remain a mystery. Who knows what Microsoft agreed upon to allow Apple to make this app happen.

"We worked with Apple to create a solution that benefited our mutual customers. The SkyDrive app for iOS is slightly different than other SkyDrive apps in that people interested in buying additional storage will do so via the web versus in the app," Microsoft revealed in a statement.

So what's new in 3.0? Microsoft has added support for the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini, as well as updated the app icons and user experience. There is a better photo managing experience and improved opening and sharing of files. Microsoft has also made many other small changes, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

I am holding out hope that Microsoft adds media player support so that music can ne played directly from your SkyDrive account. Rumor is that this is in the works so keep your fingers crossed.

Check out SkyDrive at www.skydrive.com.