Microsoft officially launches SkyDrive as OneDrive with free extra storage that doesn’t expire and new Android app. Previously we heard about Microsoft losing a trademark dispute over the “SkyDrive” name with the British company Sky, and today the software giant is changing the name of its cloud storage service to OneDrive.
For those users already using the service won’t see a lot of changes. The service and apps will continue to be the same. Although, Microsoft will rebrand its apps for Windows 8, Windows Vista, Mac, mobile, and Xbox apps later today. Apparently Office 2013 and Windows 8.1 won’t receive the name just yet, however in both cases the service will be part of OneDrive.
Perhaps the most noticeable change with OneDrive is in the new perks for users as Microsoft will start offering additional storage for free with new name. Currently the cloud storage service offers 7GB of free storage for free, but now users will be able to earn up to 8GB of storage that doesn’t expire when meeting a few specific requirements: First it is a new referral program that rewards users up to 5GB of storage when they get friends to sign-up for the service. Each referral will get you 500GB and your friend will also get 500GB — you can do this up to 10 times. Sounds familiar? Of course, this is very similar to Dropbox free storage give away program. And second if you use the camera roll to backup photos using a Windows Phone, Android, or iOS app, you’ll also get 3GB.
Alongside the rebrand Microsoft is also releasing an updated version of OneDrive app for Android with an automatic camera uploads feature, so users can easily gain access to the 3GB of additional storage using camera roll. Oh, and users can upload video too. You can get the new app for Android from the Google Play Store today.
Keep in mind that Microsoft is just starting to roll out the changes as such will take some time to reach everyone. You can also head of over OneDrive.com to sign-in to your account in the rebranded service.
If you’re not using OneDrive yet, you can download the app now for the three main platform for:
- Windows from Windows Store
- Windows Phone from Windows Phone Store
- Mac from iTunes
- iOS from iTunes
- Android from Google Play Store
And if you want an extra 500MB of extra storage using my referral link.
Update: Now you can also unlock Xbox One achievements using OneDrive. Fore example on week one will get achievements by simply opening the app on Xbox One and playing 20 photos in a slideshow from the camera roll. Then you can also unlock the “Hope those aren’t all selfies…” achievement by viewing 10 photos from your camera roll. Viewing 100,000 photos will earn the “Long exposure”, “On a roll” watching five hours of slideshows, and “Now you’re thinking with folders” by adding a shared folder on OneGuide.
Update: Did you sign-up to get notified about OneDrive before launched? And you couldn’t get the 100GB of free storage for one year? Don’t worry, because now Microsoft is sending out emails with codes so you and one friend can get an extra 20GB of OneDrive storage for free. (Below is the email I received this morning.)
Also remember that you can still get the 100GB of free storage on OneDrive by visiting the Microsoft Store near you, but you must hurry, offer ends February 24. (Here are the official rules.)
Source Microsoft
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].