Microsoft will soon be changing the name of its cloud storage service SkyDrive to OneDrive, TechCrunch reported. The splash page of OneDrive that reads "Coming Soon" portends of things to come.
However, there seems to be more to the rebranding than just changing names. Citing leaked screenshots that have been posted by LiveSide, the report said that Microsoft will also be doling out various incentives for users so it will bolster the use of the service and encourage them to invite their friends to use OneDrive as well, the report said.
At present, Microsoft's SkyDrive gives users free storage of 7 gigabytes. If Microsoft continues to give that level of free storage in its renamed brand, users will be able to get a total capacity of 15 gigabytes if the new incentive structure will allow users to get another 8 gigabytes. Referrals will comprise 5 of the 8 possible gigabytes that can be gained. The new structure will give 500 megabytes for every referral and will allow up to 10 referrals. Another three gigabytes will be rewarded to those who connect their phone's camera roll to OneDrive, the report said.
A link to OneDrive can be created through SkyDrive, through iOS and Android apps or through the built-in function in Windows Phone, the report said.
While Microsoft has not confirmed all these reports, they seem similar to the strategy put in place by its competitor Dropbox, which means that they are not surprising and proven strategies, TechCrunch reported.
TechCrunch surmises that Microsoft wants to get people to upload their photos to OneDrive automatically because more users bolsters the service's total revenues and use while drawing potential oxygen from rivals. With the importance that cloud storage plays in Microsoft's grand scheme of things, anything it does to strengthen that initiative is worthy, the report said.
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