A recently released version of the SkyDrive mobile app gives Android users easy access to Microsoft's cloud storage solution.
Although it started as a Windows/Web only solution, Microsoft has systematically revamped SkyDrive over the years to not only refine the service, but to support additional platforms. Just this past week, Microsoft made SkyDrive even more accessible by releasing a native Android app, giving users of Google’s mobile OS easy access to whatever files are stored in their SkyDrive folders. The move is not at all that surprising considering SkyDrive already supports Windows, Mac OS X and iOS, but the timing is interesting.
RELATED: Windows Phone 8 hardware to compete with Android’s best. Maybe.
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8: First step to a consistent Windows across all platforms
We all know that Microsoft is struggling to gain traction in the ultra-mobile space. Windows Phone has yet to make a dent in Android’s or iOS’s market share, and it may not ever be successful. But Microsoft has slowly been laying the foundation for a big push into mobile, which will be triggered by the releases of Windows 8/RT and Windows Mobile 8. SkyDrive is an integral part of Windows 8 and Windows RT, and Windows Mobile 8 also features seamless SkyDrive integration. If (and it’s a big IF at this point) Windows 8/RT is mildly successful with desktop and laptop users, and Microsoft and its partners sell a few tablets as well, it could potentially draw users away from Android or iOS and towards Windows Phone 8.
SkyDrive is so deeply rooted in Windows 8/RT that it is the default save-to location for Office 15 files. And since SkyDrive is a relatively mature and reliable cloud-based storage solution (it’s been around since 2007), users are likely to enjoy the benefits of easy-access to their files from virtually any internet-connected device. Windows Phone 8’s SkyDrive integration is so seamless that users of iOS or Android may feel like they’re missing out on something. There’s a difference between having something “just work,” as SkyDrive does on Windows Phone 8, and having to run an app on other devices.
It’s a long shot, but reliable cloud-based storage is a key component to Microsoft’s strategy moving forward, and the company seems to have a solid offering in SkyDrive. Get people using SkyDrive, and then show them that the easiest way to access their files or sync their mobile data is with Windows Phone 8, and Microsoft may just win over a few new users. We’ll all find out soon enough.
