SkyDrive to receive paid storage and PC apps

Microsoft has been keen to upgrade Skydrive to the point where it can compete with the likes of Google and Dropbox and it looks as if they're about to take that extra step. Information discovered recently shows that Microsoft plans to introduce paid upgrade options. This storage will be added on top of the current 25 GB available free of charge.

The plans are believed to be as follows:

• An extra 20 GB for $10 a year
• An extra 50 GB for $25 a year
• An extra 100GB for $50 a year

These plans will allow users to have up to 125 GB of cloud storage for the comparatively low price of $50 a year; Dropbox is currently asking $199 a year for 100 GB of storage.

Microsoft also appears to be planning to launch Windows and OS X applications (shown above.) This is bound to entice those like me that currently only use Dropbox because it has a desktop sync client. This move is also likely to be the end of Microsoft Live Mesh. Infact, you can no longer access Live Mesh on Microsoft's customer feedback website. Few details are known at this stage but the applications will be free and they should bring desktop sync capabilities similar to Dropbox's desktop application.

Kitguru says: We have been waiting a while for a true Dropbox competitor and it looks like we'll be introduced to a strong competitor from Skydrive in the coming weeks.

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