Microsoft begins warning users it will cut free OneDrive storage to 5GB, matching Apple's iCloud
Microsoft is sending out email alerts to OneDrive customers, warning people with free 15-gigabyte accounts that their storage will shrink to 5 gigabytes on August 10, assuming they didn't previously opt into keeping the higher amount.
Although the change has already been in effect for new OneDrive subscribers for some time -- also eliminating an extra 15-gigabyte camera roll bonus -- a number of people were grandfathered into the 15-gigabyte tier. Earlier notifications gave this group a chance to say they wanted to keep their storage, following a backlash against original plans to implement the change universally.
Users with uploads over 5 gigabytes should be getting a year's subscription to Office 365 Personal, which includes 1 terabyte of cloud storage.
The new 5-gigabyte scheme brings OneDrive's free tier down to the same level as the one for Apple's iCloud. Apple, however, offers 50 gigabytes for 99 cents per month, whereas that same storage costs $1.99 from Microsoft. Another difference is a 200-gigabyte tier that Microsoft lacks entirely.
The company does have an edge when it comes to terabyte plans. Its options include Office 365 access, and start at $6.99 per month -- Apple is charging a flat $9.99 with no special bonuses.
Although the change has already been in effect for new OneDrive subscribers for some time -- also eliminating an extra 15-gigabyte camera roll bonus -- a number of people were grandfathered into the 15-gigabyte tier. Earlier notifications gave this group a chance to say they wanted to keep their storage, following a backlash against original plans to implement the change universally.
Users with uploads over 5 gigabytes should be getting a year's subscription to Office 365 Personal, which includes 1 terabyte of cloud storage.
The new 5-gigabyte scheme brings OneDrive's free tier down to the same level as the one for Apple's iCloud. Apple, however, offers 50 gigabytes for 99 cents per month, whereas that same storage costs $1.99 from Microsoft. Another difference is a 200-gigabyte tier that Microsoft lacks entirely.
The company does have an edge when it comes to terabyte plans. Its options include Office 365 access, and start at $6.99 per month -- Apple is charging a flat $9.99 with no special bonuses.
Comments
I don't personally use any Microsoft productivity applications, it was not worth it to me.... I am fine with Pages, Numbers etc. Only the desperate or those working for a very cheap company have to use Open Office (yes, my office used it). I am not a big user that it made sense upgrading (aka buying a new copy) of Office.... I could have continued to use 2008 (which still worked when I uninstalled it), but I figured I was fine with Pages and Numbers.... not a big user anyways. Still think MS Office is a good product, it just is not worth it to me. (I have used Wordstar -> Wordperfect -> MS Office -> Pages/Numbers).
Not a problem with me, I don't let anything important out of what I am able to secure behind my (enterprise grade) firewall.
Why you ask? Aren't you being greedy here? No. I think regardless of the costs involved for Apple—and in the grand scheme of things the costs compared to Apple's wealth would be minor—the benefits to such a system would be amazing for Apple device users and for Apple.
For Apple, the benefits here are because users no longer need to think about backups as a problem and everyone has everything backed up, Apple gets a certain ecosystem lock-in that few other companies can get.
For users they never have to worry about losing important data ever again.
Both parties benefit in extraordinary ways.
And they could have a single paid plan of 5 TB for €14.99 per month for photographers and pros that includes iCloud backup for Macs too.
It Just Works®
I can't find the song online, but at least the lyrics are here: http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=7016
So, basically a fucking forced upgrade....
Man she was mad when she called me. Raving mad and it takes a lot to get her going.
She's not a computer expert, but knows enough that she knows she didn't accept this "upgrade".
Microsoft is really piling the shit sky high these days.
I would think the only company that can offer massive amount of free cloud storage would be Google (and maybe Amazon), as Google and Amazon can find a way to monetize their customers data, to offset the cost of storage. As of now, Apple must rely on (meaning pay) Google, Amazon and Microsoft for the cloud capacity they need to meet the needs of their own iOS and Mac users. But I can see Apple offering more free storage, when they build enough of their own data centers to handle their needs, without relying on third parties.
One of the worst customer experiences ever.
By contrast, Applw customer service at each occasion had been friendly, competent and fast.
Sometimes, you need such experiences like with Microsoft as a small reminder in order to fully appreciate Apple customer service.
(Que: but but Google sales you idiot post)
I find it funny that people think companies owe them free stuff. "Free" stuff is often not so free (you are selling your personal information to advertisers) or it is buried in the cost of something else (like telco's "free" telephone under contract). The small initial amount is really just a taster, give you a taste hoping that you will opt to buy in (common advertising practice).