Cloud Storage on the Go — SkyDrive is Here For iOS

If you’re a fan of Microsoft’s famous file-storage service, Windows Live SkyDrive, you’ll be happy to know that you can now order it — to go!  There is now an iOS app on offer that lets you access your files from your mobile device as well as your PC.

Heaven on earth?  Absolutely — if you know what it’s all about. The new information mobility means people can choose to store their files in the clouds instead of their PCs, and that makes understanding the nature of your cloud more crucial.

A Quick Comparison

A search can give you more than 70 cloud storage options, most of which appear able to manage basic documents, photos, and videos.

One difference is in how much free storage space provided. Of the two most well known cloud products, Windows Live Skydrive has 25GB free storage, while iCloud offers 5GB free (but purchased music, apps, books, and TV shows won’t count in that measure.)

Another is in integration.  Windows Live Skydrive integrates with hotmail, Bing, and Live Groups (5 GB shared space with members.) iCloud users get a free me.com account for email integration.

The biggest difference in the two clouds seems to be what you can do with them. The Live Skydrive supports collaboration, in that multiple users can edit the same document stored in the cloud. iCloud celebrates access to everything everywhere, which means all files are relayed to all linked devices; ‘No syncing required. No management required.’ If device individualization is not necessary to a user, that service may be a terrific timesaver.

So whether you think heaven is being able to collaborate on the go, have access to all your music, books and photos on all your devices, or other potential mobile efficiency applications, now is a great time to get your head in the cloud.

You can download Windows Live SkyDrive for free, at iTunes.