Story behind OneDrive - Microsoft re-branded SkyDrive

Hi,

Some time ago, I have written a blog post about introduction to SkyDrive. Microsoft has publicly announced to Re-Brand the SkyDrive with new name and it will be called OneDrive.
Now skydrive blog and website are also available with new name OneDrive. As in the official blog post from Microsoft at http://blog.onedrive.com/onedrive-for-everything-your-life, "Of course, changing the name of a product as loved as SkyDrive wasn’t easy."

Story Behind Re-branding

Microsoft has launched SkyDrive in 2007. But a British television broadcasting company SkyDigital (BSkyB) filed a Trademark violation case for the use of word "Sky" against Microsoft in 2013. Later Microsoft and BSkyB made a agreement and Microsoft agreed to change the name of it's cloud storage service within reasonable period of time. Five months later, based on this, Microsoft has decided to change its name to OneDrive and publicly announced on 27th January 2014.

OneDrive

"Why OneDrive? We know that increasingly you will have many devices in your life, but you really want only one place for your most important stuff." As said in Preview website, some new features are expected one this version with New Brand name. Microsoft can increase storage capacity and expected to launch premium plans with more storage.

References

BBC News: Microsoft made to rename Skydrive after BSkyB victory
Wikipedia  : SkyDrive
OneDrive Blog : OneDrive for Everything in Your Life.
Note: Text in Italic is copied from references.
We will keep you posted on further changes and announcements. Keep reading.
+John Bhatt 

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Cloud Storage : SkyDrive

Hi,
Some time ago, we have talked about Cloud Storage. Continuation of that series, I am going to write here about SkyDrive, a cloud storage facility provided by Microsoft to its user for free with custom upgradable plans also.

Introduction:

SkyDrive logos at various stages

   Microsoft SkyDrive is included with Windows Live product and previously known as Windows Live Folders, then Windows Live SkyDrive and now SkyDrive or Microsoft SkyDrive. Being officially announced on 01 August 2007, this product is tested by some BETA testers across United States and UK. Initially storage capacity is given 5GB per user which is expanded to 25 GB on 02 December 2008. On continuous improvement of service, SkyDrive is integrated with Office Web Apps and Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail) to attach larget Photos and other documents as email attachments. 

Current

Now, SkyDrive is developed for various platforms and available for most of devices. Now it has its native application for Apple's iOS and Mac, Google's Android, Microsoft's Windows (Desktop version for Windows 7 and prior version), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Phone and XBox 360 also with Web version. Due to high volume of users and popularity, its size has been reduced to 7 GB for new registrations. Emails registered after 22 April 2012 will get 7 GB for free while members registered before that date have 25GB of free storage. You can upload every kind of file in SkyDrive, there is no restriction of File Type. SkyDrive is  currently available over world with 94 languages. Microsoft launched Premium plans of SkyDrive on 23 September 2013 which are divided in 3 classes for 50+, 100+ and 200+ which adds corresponding GBs of data to user account.
The Desktop version and other application has capability to Sync file and save to cloud as preferred by user over internet.

Registration & Login

Everyone, who signs up for Microsoft Live Account has access to All of the Windows Live services including SkyDrive. SkyDrive is accessible at https://skydrive.live.com.

Features

There are lots of feature of using Cloud Storage, but we will just list some of SkyDrive features that are notable.

• Integrated with Office Web Apps, you can create or edit your document online.
• Format support of PDF, XML based Document and ODF with lots more.
• Document Embedding on web and sharing with friends which makes it useful at work.
• Email Integration, send directly via email as attachment to any email id.
• Share with Windows Live Groups, such as your office team have access to your work files and they can work even you are not at office and multiple users at at time.
• Slideshow of uploaded photos.
• Recycle Bin. Most useful tool for cloud storage. Suppose you uploaded a larger file and deleted by mistake. SkyDrive gives you option to Restore your file within maximum of 30 days period.
• Download all your files in single Zip file and extract at your machine.

Snapshots

SkyDrive for Web (Current Version)

Android

Windows 8.1

For a Developer

SkyDrive has launched its API so that developer can develop applications for Windows Phone, Windows 8 and 8.1 and other portable devices which has ability to store data and access to SkyDrive of user.

Download

Applications are available for downloads free on various platforms. 

For iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skydrive/id477537958?mt=8

For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.skydrive

For Desktop: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=248256

For Windows 8 & 8.1 : http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/skydrive/2682e314-15ab-4510-bbb3-d33da78a44d9

For Windows Phone: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/skydrive/ad543082-80ec-45bb-aa02-ffe7f4182ba8

If you found this post helpful, do share and if you have any feedback please post a comment. 

+John Bhatt 

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Cloud Storage : Introduction

Hello Everyone!

Today, I am here to discuss about Cloud Storage. This is word nowadays almost all must have heard from their Email Provider or on Advertisements. Even Mobiles tell us to save our Data into cloud. So, finally I am here to clear your confusion and to tell you all I know about Cloud Storage.

Definition from Wikipedia: "Cloud storage is a model of networked enterprise storage where data is stored not only in the user's computer, but in virtualized pools of storage which are generally hosted by third parties, too. Hosting companies operate large data centers, and people who require their data to be hosted buy or lease storage capacity from them. The data center operators, in the background, virtualize the resources according to the requirements of the customer and expose them as storage pools, which the customers can themselves use to store files or data objects. Physically, the resource may span across multiple servers. The safety of the files depends upon the hosting websites."

Requirement :

• Suppose You have Files stored in your Office PC, you came out of office and need that file urgently, or you have more work and want to work from Home also. 
• You took a Image from Camera and want that photo on your PC Also. 
• You frequently have problems with your Device and need them repair and high chances of data Loose. 
• You are tech guy and try latest softwares and Operating System in your Main Machine (Mobile, PC, Laptop). In that case each time you need to format your machines and you will loose all files including important files.
• You work on public computer and don't want to save your Files there.

There are so many such situations which cause us to search for a place to save our data that we can access anywhere, anytime. Architects then came with Idea to utilize Web Hosting Service to full fill the requirement. But make them more secure and only accessible using Authenticated Process.

So they created Web Service APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and make some kind of Web Software (Browser based) and other application for various devices. Most of them are Paid but some services offer some Free space also.

The Computer Software Giant Microsoft has Launched a Service named Windows Live Folders later known as SkyDrive on 1 August 2007. This is currently Offering 25 GB Free Space to earlier users and 7 GB for New users registered after 22 April 2012. More space can be purchased.

Also Internet Giant Google has launched a Service called Google Drive on 24 April 2012. Which is offering 15 GB data for Free. This is enhanced and combined storage for GMail, Photos and Documents and Files.

Also there are many such services like Box, Dropbox and many more. I will be discussing more details about these Services in Future Posts.
Till then read earlier posts, you can add me on Google Plus using +John Bhatt .

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