Johannesburg, 15 Aug 2012
Microsoft has revealed a significant redesign and updated user interface for its cloud storage service, SkyDrive.
SkyDrive is Microsoft's answer to services such as Dropbox and Google Drive. Users can store documents, photos and other files in the cloud and are given 7GB free storage space to start, with the option of paying for more.
The new site uses the same tile-based design seen in the new Windows 8 operating system. According to Microsoft, as with the preview of its new Web-based e-mail service, Outlook.com, the company is trying to bring “a fresh approach to how we design our Web experiences”.
“With the update to SkyDrive.com that's rolling out over the next 24 hours, we've taken the same DNA from the SkyDrive Windows 8 app and brought that to the Web.”
Microsoft has also announced that a SkyDrive app for Android will be released in the next few weeks. “The Android app is similar to our mobile apps for Windows Phone and iOS and allows you to browse your SkyDrive, upload files to SkyDrive, as well as share SkyDrive files with 'Send a link'. You'll also be able to open SkyDrive files from other apps, as well as upload, save and share to SkyDrive from other apps.”
According to Microsoft, Outlook.com has already reached 10 million users in the two weeks since the launch of the preview. Outlook.com will replace Hotmail and incorporates deep social media integration with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google, and will soon include Skype, too.
The free e-mail service also includes access to free Office Web Apps, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote. SkyDrive is also included as a workaround for e-mail attachment limits.
Microsoft is allowing existing Hotmail users to upgrade to the new service and retain their Hotmail e-mail addresses. It is not clear how many of the 10 million Outlook.com users were existing Hotmail users and how many are new users.
Recent statistics have shown that Hotmail's worldwide market share has been declining (by 4% over the last year) with 324 million registered users in June. Gmail has, however, been growing rapidly (by 17%) and currently has an estimated 278 million users.
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