One of the more notable recent improvements to the Windows platform is the much deeper integration of SkyDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service that allows users to access their files from any Internet connected device.
Not only is SkyDrive more easily accessible from the Modern UI, it also makes appearances in the traditional desktop mode and allows the upload and download of files with a few clicks (or taps).
And Microsoft is once again all praise for this feature, saying that SkyDrive not only provides usable extra storage space, but also adds new functionality to the operating system.
Redmond talked about this new and improved feature in a lengthy blog post, saying:
“Today, consumers want more from their tablets: the ability to access files from any device, and the affordance to do so without running out of disk space on these low-storage devices. As a result, many consumers and developers have turned to cloud storage services to store files and deliver a continuous experience across devices.”
The company then talks about how SkyDrive is built into the core of Windows 8.1, and how this provides not only consumer but developers too with unprecedented flexibility.
Microsoft also touched upon the libraries feature, which has been improved in the new operating system, and provides easy access to the files stored on SkyDrive as well as the local drives:
“Consumers can easily save and open files on SkyDrive directly from their apps, by using the file picker or adding content to their libraries. Libraries seamlessly aggregate files from the local PC and SkyDrive, which gives apps a common entry point to access all of the user’s content.”
SkyDrive offers 7GB of storage space for free to all users, but additional plans are also available that can be purchased based on space and usage requirements.
