Frenemies? Microsoft SkyDrive Goes Cross-Platform with Android and Apple Devices

Frenemies? Microsoft SkyDrive Goes Cross-Platform with Android and Apple Devices

Thursday, August 30, 2012 - by Joshua Gulick
Microsoft’s SkyDrive online storage service is now available from Android smartphones and tablets. And it already supported iPhones, iPads, and Macs. All this means that you don’t need to use a Windows-based system to manage your SkyDrive files. Heck, you can even edit Office documents on your SkyDrive folder with the free Office Web Apps Preview.

If you’re starting to feel like you’re seeing a new side of Microsoft, you’re not alone. From the portable Surface and social network-savvy Windows 8 to cross-platform cloud services, Microsoft is working hard to go where you go, and that means getting friendly (or, at least, compatible) with the likes of Apple and Google.

SkyDrive Goes Cross-Platform

We’ll likely get a better look at Microsoft’s master plan as Window 8 launches and picks up steam, but for the moment, we’re intrigued by investor Charlie Kindel’s take on Microsoft’s new moves, as highlighted recently in Xconomy. Kindel sees a subscription-based revenue model centering around cloud services for Microsoft’s future. And to do that, he points out, Microsoft needs to support companies like Apple. Check out Xconomy for more of Kindel’s take and video of his talk.
Via: Microsoft | News Archive | Tags: Android, Apple, Microsoft, skydrive
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By pwrntspd on Aug 30, 2012

Interesting...I already use skydrive and i have to say i really like it. I also like the way that its been integrated into windows 8 and has a place in the taskbar. It will be nice to be able to access all my files from anywhere but its interesting that Microsoft seems to be bending to the will of the public on this one. Guess they need the public interest with apple bearing down on them.

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By realneil on Aug 30, 2012

Nothing wrong with compatibility. It's a little strange to see it coming from Redmond though,.....

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By JDiaz on Aug 31, 2012

Not really, MS isn't in just the OS business but the general software and services businesses as well. Basically, as long as they stand to profit more then they're going to offer their software and/or services to reach as many possible consumers as possible.

It's one of the reasons why they have contributed so much code to Linux and for years MS has Offered a version of Office for Macs as early as 1998. Back in February MS also released OneNote for Android phones. So this is really just the latest example of MS expanding their market.

While services like SkyDrive compete with similar services like DropBox. So it's in MS interest to offer it to at least the same range of users or risk people not using them because they can use the competitive product more conveniently.

Mind also MS is pushing harder now their online services with the upcoming Office 2013, which will also bring about a Pro Version of SkyDrive.

Along with the helping to work out how all WP8, W-RT, and W8/Pro devices will be able to work together.

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By nicoletoledo on Aug 30, 2012

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

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