Microsoft released its new SkyDrive Xbox app, last month, available on Windows 8, Android and iOS devices. With incumbents like Dropbox and Google Drive, SkyDrive is more than a little late too cloud services. Microsoft also announced it will be release 40 new apps for Xbox from now until spring.
Below is a short list of features, promo video and issues with the SkyDrive.
Some of the most popular features:
- Capture media on phone and watch it later on Xbox
- Simple UI, minimalistic design
- 7GB free cloud memory
SkyDrive is the place to store your files so you can access them from virtually any device. With SkyDrive for Xbox, you can easily view your photos and videos on your TV. You can also play slideshows and view photos and videos shared with you.
SkyDrive is not without some issues, below are some of the most pressing
- Inability to stay logged in
- No auto upload from camera
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Does open MS Office on iOS without purchasing competitor’s office suite
- Slow to upload
- Auto syncing issues
- Poor performance
- Poor UX – no select all, upload folder, poor sorting options
As mentioned Microsoft is too little and too late to the cloud service game, but hopefully SkyDrive will steadily improve. Although competition is good, SkyDrive, with cross-platform compatibility, has a long way to go to rival Google Drive and Dropbox.
Additional, there have rumors that Apple is blocking SkyDrive updates on iOS in a battle for supremacy for cloud services and software, which can impede Microsoft’s penetration into cross-platform cloud services.
Want more info about new Xbox apps? Check out the list on the Xbox website:
http://support.xbox.com/en-US/browse?product=apps
Written by Marc Niola – The UX Acrobat
Follow Marc on Twitter: @MarcNiola
About UX Acrobat - Marc Niola
Marc is an expert UX professional with a focus on customer-centered design principles, social media, gamification and psychology. He has developed innovative business solutions for global corporations, SME, agencies, clients and brands.
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