Get 100GB of Microsoft OneDrive storage for free
Two catches: It's only for a year, and you'll need to invest some Bing Rewards points.
I can't pass up an opportunity to make fun of Microsoft, so let's dive right in.
Bing Rewards: Microsoft's blatant way of bribing users to use Bing instead of Google.
OneDrive: Microsoft's admittedly decent cloud-storage service that used to be known as SkyDrive -- until a lawsuit forced Microsoft to change the name six years after it launched. (Face-palm.)
The standard OneDrive freebie account comes with 7GB of space, but for a limited time, you can get 100GB of OneDrive storage for one year when you "spend" 100 Bing Rewards points.
The idea, of course, is to raise awareness of both services. For those unfamiliar with it, Bing Rewards awards you points for things like using Bing for Web searches, clicking various Microsoft-related links, and, especially, inviting friends to use Bing Rewards (which, ahem, is good for 200 points right from the get-go).
Those points can be redeemed for things like Amazon and Starbucks gift cards (525 points each for a $5 card, unless you've achieved Gold status, in which case they're 475 points), Skype credit, and, in this case, a big fat OneDrive bump.
You get 20 points when you sign up for a Bing Rewards account (or 200 using the aforementioned link), and it's pretty easy to hit 100 points via newcomer tasks like linking your Facebook account. Also, you can earn up to 15 credits per day by using Bing for Web searches, so it would take just six days to reach 100 points if you max that out (not hard to do, in my experience). And in theory you could easily rack up 450 points per month, effectively scoring a free venti mocha just for doing what you already do (except with Bing instead of Google). Food (and coffee) for thought.
My only real gripe with this offer is that it ends after a year. Unless you're willing to migrate your data elsewhere, you'll be on the hook for $50 annually to keep that 100GB. Admittedly, that's a competitive rate, and if you're a Windows 8 user there's much to be said for OneDrive's seamless integration with the OS.
In the meantime, you can get an extra 3GB of free, permanent OneDrive storage by activating camera-roll backup on your mobile device (speaking of which, you can now earn Bing Rewards points there, too), and up to 5GB more for referring friends.
What do you think of all this? Smart marketing on Microsoft's part? Too much hoop-jumping for a one-year upgrade? Let's hear from you in the comments.
Bonus deal: Forget Google Glass -- how about a deal on regular eyeglasses? Coastal.com offers your first pair of prescription eyeglasses for free when you use coupon code FIRSTPAIRFREE at checkout. There are hundreds of frames to choose from, and it appears you can even get progressives. Shipping is free for most frames, though you may be on the hook for some add-ons, upgrades, and more. Has anybody tried this company?
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