Microsoft details SkyDrive Metro app for Windows 8
February 21, 2012 at 10:54 GMT | By Darlington Moyo
Microsoft announced that a SkyDrive Metro app will be available for Windows 8. Windows users were previously able to save files to the SkyDrive website and then had the ability to access and/or share them throughout the Web.
The next release of SkyDrive, however, will combine Live Mesh synchronization service into the file storing and Web service. Microsoft's Building Windows 8 blog states that the new SkyDrive Metro app will have "files integrated into Windows Explorer on the desktop, and have the ability to fetch remote files through SkyDrive.com." The desktop file sync will support files up to 2GB in size, and will provide "easy drag and drop upload and download access to your data, offline access and the power of Windows Explorer to manage files and folders." He's a detailed list of the info:
» Desktop clients coming for Windows and Mac (Windows client confirmed)
» Paid additional storage options coming in multiple increments (mentioned as "the ability to unlock more"}
» New version will be SkyDrive Wave 5 M3
» Bitlocker recovery key storage
» OpenDocument formats (.odt, .odp, .ods) support
» Access files on local computers via SkyDrive app (remote access confirmed)
» URL shortening service
» 300MB file upload size limit via SkyDrive.com
» 17 million SkyDrive users (by comparison, as of last October Dropbox had 45 million)
» SkyDrive stores 10 petabytes of user data, Hotmail stores 100PB
» Windows 8 will "finally bring the DNA of » SkyDrive and Mesh together into one service"
» SkyDrive app for Windows 8
» SkyDrive available to other Metro style apps and the file system through charms and contracts
» Integrated into the Windows 8 Windows Explorer on the desktop
» Full file and folder upload and sync, "no compromises"
» Metro app built using JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and the JSO
» APIs and JavaScript object model in SkyDrive.com
» Metro app optimized for touch
» Ability to save directly from Windows 8 to SkyDrive
» SkyDrive Desktop app available for Windows 8, Windows 7, or Vista
» Installer less than 5mb, takes 10 seconds to install (not sure if this applies to Win7 or Vista)
» Support for uploading up to 2GB files through Explorer
» Remote access will have a "copy to SkyDrive" feature
» Remote streaming of video full screen photo viewer
» 2nd factor authentication (mobile number or alt. email address) required for remote access
» Changes coming "over the next several months"
The Windows 8 SkyDrive app looks to compete directly with services like DropBox as well as Apple's iCloud. We certainly hope that most of these features will be integrated into Apollo!!
Sources: LiveSide and BGR
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Darlington is a self-confessed smartphone junkie. Some are convinced he has a Microsoft tatoo hidden somewhere on his body. When he is not writing about Windows Phone, he is reading about it. Current device » Nokia Lumia 920. Xbox Gamertag » MthOmnia - Add me