Hasta La Gadget!

Similar to the feature for Android users that allows images and videos to be backed up to their Google account, Microsoft offers full-resolution image and video backup to SkyDrive for Windows Phone 8 users. While handy, the feature wasn’t universally available to all users, leaving some without the convenience it poses. That changes today, with the company announcing that full-resolution backups will be available in all markets.

The full-resolution backup ability will soon be available everywhere, with some Windows Phone 8 users who were previously unable to use the feature already seeing it. Those who haven’t gained the ability yet are told to be patient, with Microsoft saying that it has “just start to light it up.” You should see the feature by this weekend, however, according to the company’s timeline.

Those with access will need to enable the feature in order to use it, which is done via the device’s menus. Head into Photos, then More. Tap Settings -> SkyDrive. Those who have gained the new ability will see a different SkyDrive Storage screen than the one they previously had, with the new one including the option “Best quality” under both Photos and Videos.

Select the box for both options if you want to upload full-resolution of both images and videos, or only select one if, for example, you’re only interested in image backup. You’ll notice a snippet that says Wi-Fi is required in order to utilize full-resolution backups, meaning it’ll happen when you’re connected to your wireless network. This is to keep your phone bill from skyrocketing.

[via Windows]

Windows Phone 8 gains full-resolution video and image SkyDrive backups worldwide is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Amidst its publishing of its interview with Tami Reller earlier today, Microsoft has also made an announcement: a new milestone for SkyDrive, which as exceeded the 250 million user mark. Says the company, its cloud storage service saw a jump of 50 million users following the release of Windows 8, which also recently achieved its own milestone, exceeding 100 million licenses sold.

Microsoft goes on to wax poetic about its appreciation for its users, of which there are about 700 million with Microsoft accounts. Back in August, SkyDrive received a design change and some new features, such as a Recycle Bin, improved uploading, and the ability to chat with Facebook friends. During the same month, Microsoft also rolled out SkyDrive for Android.

A short while later, December saw SkyDrive hit the Xbox 360, allowing users to browse their files without leaving the gaming station, along with a promise that over 40 apps would be showing up for the gaming console by this spring. And finally, a couple months ago March saw a billion documents from Office uploaded to the cloud service, as well as integrated with the new MS Office.

Microsoft is looking towards the future now, it says, one in which it hopes to garner one billion users on its service. More features are promised for a future date, though what those features are aren’t specified. Back in January, CEO Ballmer talked about the service, saying that its competitors aren’t of any concern. You can check out some of the other recent happenings with SkyDrive here.

[via Windows]

Microsoft’s SkyDrive now has 250 million users is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft announced today that it has completed the process of shifting Hotmail customers to Outlook.com. In a little more than six weeks the company has transferred some 150 petabytes of email data safely and securely to its new email service. Today they’ve also announced a couple of new features for Outlook.com, these include the improved integration of SkyDrive and SMTP send, which will make it easier for users to send emails from different email addresses.

Outlook.com came out of preview in February and at the time it already had over 60 million active accounts. Now with Hotmail accounts having been brought over, Outlook.com touts 400 million active accounts from all parts of the world. The deeper SkyDrive integration means that users will now be able to insert files and pictures in emails straight from SkyDrive itself. The integration rolls out today and will be made available worldwide in a couple of weeks. SMTP send enables Outlook.com users to send and receive emails from other accounts. Email sent through a different account will go through that account’s SMTP server, the recipient will not know that the email has been sent through Outlook.com. The team assures us that there are more improvements to come in the near future.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Video Messaging Comes To Skype For Windows 8, Google Hangouts Receives Remote Desktop Control Feature,

Back in December 2012, there was a bit of a butting-of-heads situation betwixt Apple and Microsoft over the iOS SkyDrive app, which concerned the amount of moolah Apple kept from SkyDrive subscriptions upgraded via the iOS app. Such upgrades were considered in-app purchases, and as such were subject to Apple’s 30-percent cut. It would seem the issue has been resolved, with Microsoft rolling out its SkyDrive for iOS update today.

Word about the issue between Microsoft and Apple had come from multiple sources who were said to be familiar with the situation. According to the rumors, Microsoft claimed that it shouldn’t be hit with the 30-percent fee because the subscriptions were not exclusive to iOS, and in the end the company sought a deal with Apple. Potentially, the dispute could have lead to the SkyDrive app being removed from the App Store.

Whether a deal was struck, the fee was removed, or Microsoft gave in is unknown, but the company has released version 3.0 of its SkyDrive for iOS app, and so Apple fans of Microsoft’s cloud storage service needn’t worry. This latest version includes a few improved features, a change to the user interface, and some new features that haven’t been seen before. The app now supports both the iPad mini and the iPhone 5.

In addition to the added support, the app’s icons have been updated, and the user interface itself has been tweaked. Photo optimization has been implemented, including the ability to download full-res images to an iPad and iPhone, the ability to change the size of an image upload/download, and metadata is now preserved when files are backed up to SkyDrive. The saving and opening of SkyDrive files on other iOS apps has been improved, and there have been a variety of other small tweaks, fixes, and performance boosts, as well.

[via Windows]

Microsoft updates SkyDrive for iOS app to version 3.0 is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Today the Microsoft SkyDrive app for iOS has finally been updated. The app stopped receiving updates after issues arose between Apple and Microsoft. The dispute was over the 30% revenue cut that is obtained from SkyDrive storage purchases through the app, which lead to Apple blocking updates for the app. The last update for this app was released on 1st June, 2012. Microsoft had confirmed that it was working with Apple to resolve the dispute. They’ve now settled matters and version 3.0 of SkyDrive iOS app is finally available for download.

Version 3.0 brings new UI updates as well as compatibility for the iPad mini and iPhone 5. Users will now have the ability to control size of photos that are uploaded and downloaded using the app, along with being able to download full resolution photos on their iOS device. The app comes with a host of bug fixes and performance improvements. Microsoft hasn’t revealed exactly how the dispute was resolved, all it is saying is that they’re excited to let people use the latest version of SkyDrive app for iOS. The update can be downloaded right now from iTunes App Store.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Redesigned iPad 5 Rumored To Be Unveiled This Month, Apple EarPods Hit With Lawsuit From Hearing Aid Maker,