5 Reasons to Love Microsoft’s New OneDrive
Microsoft’s SkyDrive has been renamed and revamped overnight, as you might have noticed. The new cloud storage and cross-platform synchronization service from Microsoft has become even better and here is why.
#1 More Ways to Earn Extra Free Storage
Before the update, SkyDrive would give you 7 GB free storage, but now you can earn up to 8GB free storage extra if you follow three simple steps: backup your PC, sync your PC or Mac and refer friends. For each accomplishment, Microsoft will grant you more free storage; for example, each referred friend will add you 500MB storage.
Moreover, Microsoft is celebrating the OneDrive launch by giving away some 100.000GB free storage for one year, so if you are interested to grab this freebie, head to OneDrive’s Twitter page and click follow. From there, you will be able to see terms and conditions of the promotion.
#2 Monthly Payment For Paid Members
SkyDrive paid members had to purchase yearly subscriptions if they wanted extra storage. OneDrive brings monthly plans, making it easier to pay for the extra storage for many subscribers.
#3 Real-Time Collaboration On Online Files
As you would expect, OneDrive integrates with Microsoft’s online Office, just like SkyDrive did, but now you can collaborate on your files in real-time. Previously, you could create, share and edit online documents with your colleagues, but not simultaneously. It is possible now with OneDrive’s real-time collaboration feature.
#4 Android Camera Roll Backup and Easy Video Sharing
If you install OneDrive on your Android device, every photo you snap with your camera will get automatically uploaded to your OneDrive cloud storage, so you can access it from anywhere –web browser, or your OneDrive folder on synced devices.
Video-sharing has become a no-brainer with OneDrive because it integrates MPEG transcoding, which automatically detects your connection speed and encodes the video accordingly, so that you, or whoever watches your shared videos, does not experience lags while watching. So, those who have slow connections will get lower-quality video while those who have a high-speed connection may enjoy the high-quality videos.
#5 Improved Windows Phone App
There are a lot more OneDrive users with Android devices that Windows Phone, but if you are a Microsoft devotee you will be able to enjoy an improved OneDrive app, which sports a load of new features, such as the possibility to pin OneDrive folders to the home screen, share multiple items simultaneously and a revamped thumbnail preview.
Besides the above-listed features, Microsoft has expanded OneDrive cross-platform compatibility, which now covers Android, iOS, OS X, Windows Phone, Xbox and latest versions of Windows. Xbox users can now record their gameplay and share it on Facebook or via email with OneDrive one-click (or one-tap) sharing feature.
So, there you have it – OneDrive has been a favorite synchronization service for millions of users worldwide, and now it is even better. The best part about this transition is it requires zero interference from the end-users – the app just updates itself silently. What about you? Are you happy with the new name and new features? Let us know what you think in the comments below. And check out our review of OneDrive, formerly SkyDrive here.
