Microsoft wants you to access your files from anywhere using any computer

Microsoft has just release a free SkyDrive App for Windows Phone 7 and iPhone. And iPhone? Late in August Microsoft leaked that they were going to release apps that would enable Windows, Apple (Mac or iPhone) or Android laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones to access their online documents from SkyDrive. According to a new study conducted by the owner of Ipswich Computer Repairs this would be almost impossible, however, Microsoft delivered.

The Windows Phone 7 and iPhone SkyDrive applications follow a recent overhaul of Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud storage service. Microsoft introduced HTML5 upload, improved sharing and drag and drop functionality in its SkyDrive web app last month. The latest SkyDrive mobile applications are available in every country and region where Windows Phone is offered and wherever the iPhone marketplace is available (32 languages).

The applications are identical in features and provide access to SkyDrive folders. Windows Phone and iPhone users can browser their SkyDrive folders, share links to folders or files, delete files and create folders from within the application. Photos can also be uploaded to SkyDrive from the apps with their original resolution.

This is a part of Microsoft’s overall strategy with Apple and “We don’t want any devices to be left out in the cold,” explained Microsoft product manager Ian Moulster. “A lot of people do mix and match. We want to make sure they can get to their content no matter what they use.”

Microsoft’s approach follows a number of iOS applications, including Bing, Messenger, OneNote and Xbox LIVE. The software giant is clearly broadening its array of applications to rival platforms whilst keeping Windows Phone customers happy.

Word, Excel and other Office documents will open natively from the SkyDrive app into the Office hub of Windows Phone. One of the best features is being able to store full resolution images from a Windows Phone camera straight into SkyDrive, this functionality is included by default but the image is scaled down. In case any conversions are needed, you can easily convert word to pdf online.

Will Microsoft continue on the road to enable Windows, Apple (Mac or iPhone) or Android laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones talk to each other? This job posting for the Windows Live Devices & Roaming Experience (DRX) team seems to confirm this. Here’s an excerpt from the job posting:

“The Windows Live DRX team produces the SkyDrive client applications that fuel our customers thirst for stable, secure and available online storage. DRX is building experiences to deliver all of your content from the cloud and your devices to any of your devices anywhere anytime. Our team develops clients for Windows, Windows Phone, iPhone, Mac and Android. We are looking for developers that are looking for their next challenge to build the highly distributed platform and multi-platform clients for the SkyDrive suite of products delivered through Windows Live and Windows.”