SkyDrive OS X Ditches Icon-in-the-Dock

Mike Torres, group program manager, SkyDrive Apps, has announced an update to SkyDrive for Mac OS X which promises to update your folder much faster and more reliably. There’s also an improvement regarding the number of files you can create in the SkyDrive folder.

Torres recalls the recent roll-out of an update to the SkyDrive app for Windows Phone that fixed a few minor bugs, adding that “we have a small bug-fix-only update to our iOS app on the way as well.”

As for SkyDrive for OS X Lion, some key improvements need to be noted. The app no longer shows an icon in the dock when running, as requested by the users.

“We’ve definitely heard the feedback that it wasn’t necessary,” notes Torres.

Everyone’s SkyDrive folder should now update more quickly and reliably when changes are made on other devices, and you can now have as many as 10 million files in the SkyDrive folder created by apps.

“This should unblock some power users from easily adding lots of files to their SkyDrive folder,” says Torres.

The new version also includes small bug fixes to improve overall reliability.

The updated version should appear in your About menu with the application launched. The build number to look for is 16.4.4111.0525, according to Torres, who adds:

"Our primary goal throughout this preview period for our desktop apps is to really nail the fundamentals. This means we want the synchronization process to be fast and dependable, and for your SkyDrive folder to ‘just work’, so that it simply feels like magic.”

“It’s been an incredible month since! Our goal was to build a cloud that seamlessly connects your files to the apps and devices you use every day, and we’ve been thrilled with the response so far,” he added.

Requirements include a Windows Live account and an Internet connection. The app is Intel-only.