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Burner's disposable phone numbers save everything in the cloud
Thanks to The Wire (one of the greatest TV shows ever), we know all about burner phones. These cheap and quickly discarded phones are an easy way to communicate without sharing your permanent number with random folks (or the police). The Burner app for iOS and Android works under the same concept. It creates temporary numbers to hand out to people while keeping your main digits a secret. To add value to those short-term (and in some cases long term) numbers Burner is adding integration with Dropbox, Soundcloud, Evernote and Slack. Linked numbers can auto-save texted photos and voicemails to Dropbox. Slack can route messages from a channel to a number and accept replies. While Evernote can create an auto-response bot that replies to texts with pre-determined messages.
Dropbox Teams will offer a host of business features to free users
Dropbox for Business is an increasingly important part of the company's revenue stream -- there are more than 130,000 businesses using the service -- but there are many more people out there using the company's more consumer-focused free service and its $9.99 monthly subscription plan. Millions of those users are in fact using their personal Dropbox accounts to get work done, as well -- so now Dropbox is going to offer a set of tools to make it a lot easier for individuals and smaller businesses to use Dropbox with a team of co-workers. In fact, that's the name of the new service that launches tomorrow: Dropbox Teams.
Dropbox for iOS just got a lot faster (and simpler)
When you're juggling a lot of files in the cloud, every little bit of time you save is a big deal... and Dropbox knows it. The online storage outfit has released an iOS app update that's all about speeding up and simplifying its core tasks. The centerpiece is a new action menu that sits next to every file -- tap it and you can modify or share that file without skipping a beat. If you're on iOS 9, you'll also see your recent and offline files in Spotlight searches. And if you're spending big bucks on an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you'll be happy to know that 3D Touch gives you both home screen shortcuts (such as uploading a photo) as well as peeks at files. Dropbox's upgrade is live as I write this, so you only need to visit the App Store to see what the fuss is about.
Dropbox saves URLs you drag and drop on the web and PC
We're sure you have your own methods for saving project resources, but if you rely on Dropbox heavily, then this latest update will help make the process a lot easier for you. The cloud service now saves URLs you drag and drop into the desktop app or the website itself -- once they're synced, just click 'em when you need 'em. You can keep all the URLs you need for a project or a research paper in one folder, for instance, so you can access them on any computer. The feature's even more useful if you're working on a team project, since members will be able to save and access each other's sources regardless of their default browsers. Now nobody can use not being able to access the sources everybody else compiled as an excuse to not do their part.
Lock down your Dropbox account with a USB security key
If you're so concerned about the security of your Dropbox account that even two-factor authentication through your phone seems too risky, you can rest easy. The cloud storage outfit has added support for USB keys as part of the two-factor sign-in process. Rather than punch in a code, you just plug in a stick to prove that it's really you. You'll need a key that meets FIDO's Universal 2nd Factor standard, but this key will also work with Google and any other U2F-capable service. Frankly, this is a long-due upgrade -- if you regularly access Dropbox from PCs, you won't have to worry quite so much that someone will get your login details and swipe your files.
Roku's Dropbox channel puts cloud files on your TV
You can already access your Dropbox files on all your PCs and mobile gadgets, but what if you want to put them on your TV? If you have a Roku player, you're set. Roku has launched a Dropbox channel that lets you browse your photos and videos on its set-tops, including in slideshows. Yes, you now have an easy way to recap your vacation on a big screen without turning to other cloud services. The channel isn't flawless -- TechCrunch notes that you can't play long videos, so this won't work if you're trying to stream full-length movies. Even so, it's a big help if you'd rather not have everyone gather around your computer to see your snapshots.
Dropbox File Requests makes getting files from friends way easier
If you've ever tried to collect files from multiple people you know it can be a train wreck of emails with random subject lines and links to various online storage. Dropbox announced a simpler way to aggregate files from multiple people called File Requests. Dropbox users send out a link to a group of people and all their uploaded files (up to 2GB) end up in a single Dropbox folder with the sender's first name in the file name. The senders don't even need to be Dropbox users. The feature launches today for Pro (paid) and Basic (free) accounts. Business accounts will receive the new feature in a few weeks.
CloudPlayer streams your music from Dropbox and Google Drive
DoubleTwist has released a media player separate from its main product, and this one can stream music straight from various cloud services. Aptly named CloudPlayer, the app links to your Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive accounts all at once to access any music files you've uploaded. The company says it "created CloudPlayer to provide an alternative to crippled, proprietary cloud music lockers that impose painful restrictions on what you can do with the music you own." Unlike other services (company co-founder Jon Lech Johansen specifically targets Google Play Music in his blog post), DoubleTwist claims CloudPlayer doesn't have a download or a device restriction, and it supports lossless audio.
Dropbox for iOS will create Microsoft Office files from scratch
If you've ever wanted to start a report on your iPhone and save it straight to Dropbox, you're in luck. The cloud storage outfit is rolling out an iOS update in the next few weeks that allows you to create Microsoft Office documents and save them online, not just edit them. The upgrade will also let you comment on files from the iOS app. And if you just can't wait to try something new, the latest version packs a redesigned home view that focuses on your recently opened files. There's no mention yet of corresponding Android releases, but those are undoubtedly in the pipeline.
Dropbox comments help you explain your shared files
Sure, it's comparatively trivial to share your files with others on Dropbox. But how do people know why you've shared a file, or what they'll get when they open it? That's what the company's newly introduced comment system aims to solve. You can now start a conversation around any shared file, so your friends will know the context behind that photo upload without having to ask. You can also invite anyone into the fray with a Twitter-like @ mention (whether or not they use Dropbox), and you'll get automatic notifications that let you know when an office pal has an idea for that group presentation. Comments are only available on the web right now, but they should be accessible from mobile apps "soon."
Dropbox and Microsoft just made it easier to edit files in the cloud
Look, it's no secret that Microsoft and Dropbox have been getting cozy with each other. Why, just last November the two companies cooked up a way to launch the correct Office apps to edit documents lounging in your Dropbox locker. Now, thanks to a new update from that unlikely duo, you don't even need to have Office installed to edit your Word, Powerpoint and Excel files -- hitting that Open button while you're previewing a document within a web browser gives you the ability to tweak everything from inside Microsoft's Office Online. Naturally, the integration runs both ways too, so Office Online users can pull up files straight from their Dropbox accounts without so much as firing up a new tab.
Dropbox updates document preview so that you can do more than just preview
If you accessed a document today on Dropbox.com, you might notice that it looks a little different -- the preview screen real estate is a little larger, the design is a little cleaner and oh wait, is that a new toolbar? That's because the cloud storage company has just decided to change up document previews on the web in order to add a bit more functionality than just, well, preview. It's all part of an effort by Dropbox to make sure documents stored on its service look and feel the same across devices and platforms, regardless of what browser, software or computer you have.
Engadget giveaway: win a Lyve Home photo and video hub courtesy of Lyve!
That photography fetish could be overloading your device and cloud storage isn't always the best at searching and organizing media files. Plus, you probably want easy access to those files from all your devices. That's where the Lyve app could help and with the 2TB Lyve Home storage hub, you've got a centralized spot to store high-res versions of all that media. The app optimizes files for mobile so you'll always have a copy on your devices and the Home is a network connected backup with a 5-inch touchscreen. It can continuously sync with Dropbox, Google Drive, iPhoto and desktop folders, and offers WiFi along with an array of ports for direct input. The app is free and the company has provided us with two of the Lyve Home storage devices so a pair of Engadget readers can keep their visual life organized and on-hand. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning. Whether it's for reminiscing or "leverage," Lyve could give you access to years of fashion faux pas, cat videos and photo bombs, just when you need them. Winners: congratulations to Sagar P. of Princeton, NJ and Albert A. of Grayslake, IL.
Dropbox badge and comments ease collaboration headaches
Remember that Dropbox badge we heard about in December? The ones that'll tell you when someone else is editing a shared file? Well, after a period of early access for some, that handy feature is now ready for the masses. If you're in need of a refresher, the badge allows you to see who is viewing or editing a file, and how long they've been at it. They can also be used to nab the most recent version of a file with a single click and grab a link for you to share the document.
Dropbox adds PDF viewer and text search to its Android app
The folks at Dropbox continue a run of handy updates with another addition that keeps you from having to venture outside of the cloud repository's app. In the latest version, Android users will notice a built-in PDF viewer, complete with all the sharing tools needed to distribute files. What's more, you can now search the text of PDFs, Word documents and PowerPoint files to find the exact item you need. Looking to edit a single slide for an upcoming presentation? Swiping over to the file and entering a keyword takes you right to it. The new version should arrive in the Play Store in the next few days, and your trusty mobile device will most likely alert you when it's available.
Vodafone deal makes Dropbox a part of your smartphone backups
Dropbox just scored a huge deal that will not only put its cloud storage in front of a lot of people, but help you safeguard your smartphone's data. The company has forged a partnership with Vodafone that both gives the carrier's Android and iPhone users 25GB of free space for a year and integrates Dropbox into Vodafone's new Backup+ service. Rather than depend on a specialized backup space, you simply save your valuable files to Dropbox -- you can restore content on other devices and share it with friends without having to use two services or limit the kind of data you protect. The Backup+ app will be available as soon as the end of March, although the service itself will take a few months to reach "most" Vodafone areas.
Open shared Dropbox links inside the app and organize with ease
Sharing files in Dropbox is an easy way to pass Office docs and the like between colleagues. Usually those invites show up in your inbox as links, and now you can open them right inside the cloud storage app. Tapping a share link on your mobile device gives you the option of previewing the file(s) in Dropbox, making it a bit easier to save them to an exact spot in your own repository. This also puts you one step closer to editing that Office stuff too, which can also be done inside the Dropbox mobile apps (iOS only, for now). The update that delivers this new feature is rolling out now for both iOS and Android.
Dropbox makes it easy to upload files on iOS 8
It's a lot easier uploading files to Dropbox now, assuming you use an iPhone or an iPad loaded with iOS 8. This latest update adds an action extension to apps like Photos and Notes, letting you upload files directly instead of having to (ugh) fire up the cloud service first, navigate to "Add Files" and find what you want to save. You will have to set it up after downloading the newest version, but it's not that hard: just open up Photos or Notes, click the upload arrow button, choose More (...) from the bottom row of icons, and toggle on "Save to Dropbox." Easy peasy. As a nice extra feature, you'll also be able to open PDFs you click on websites through the cloud storage app, giving you a way to view them on a more desktop-like interface.
A new Chrome extension makes it easier to add Dropbox files in Gmail
Thanks to a new Chrome extension, it's a bit easier to tack on files from Dropbox to messages in Gmail. The add-on, which is currently in beta, works much like adding images, docs and more to emails stored in Google Drive. Selecting the file with the Dropbox menu option attaches it, and inserts a link into the body of the message. Of course, like Drive, tapping into Dropbox allows you to send items that are larger than Gmail's size limit.
Facebook helps online services warn each other about security threats
Malware frequently strikes multiple targets, but online services rarely do a great job of warning each other about related threats; your data could be at risk simply because your favorite social network didn't get a heads-up in time. Facebook is clearly sick and tired of this problem, as it just launched a hub that's designed to mount a coordinated defense. Its new ThreatExchange web platform lets services both look up existing threat info and share their discoveries with as many sites as they see fit. If Facebook reels under a botnet attack, it can let others know what to do to protect themselves.
