Dropbox has long been a simple way to sync offline data to the internet for easy sharing and storage. As a popular cloud platform, it aims more than just that.
It was back in June that Dropbox debuted a preview version of the "new Dropbox". Built on top of its standalone app interface, the tweaked Dropbox integrates work tools, like Slack, G Suite, Zoom, etc., all in one place.
It was seen as a dramatic overhaul, and this time, Dropbox is rolling the features out to all users.
Those shared folders are named “Dropbox Spaces', which is essentially a hub to host all uses' shared files.
The highlights include:
- Users can search for things within their images, with Dropbox using computer vision to recognize an image’s contents.
- 'File previews' in high definition, even if users don't have the app needed to open the files. For example, AutoCAD files can be opened directly from Dropbox.
- Files and folders can be starred, allowing users to create quick access to what's important to them.
- Users can create, store, and access Paper docs from Dropbox.
- With 'Dropbox Binder', users can compile their Dropbox files, so they can share the published versions to their team members.
- 'Search highlights' allowing easy search capabilities across text within files.
- 'For You' pulls information from users' calendar and tries to find files users might be looking.
- 'Dropbox Transfer' allows users to share large files with others, with password expiration and viewer information.
- Tools like Slack, Zoom, and Trello, as well as cloud files from Google Docs or Office 365, can allo be integrated into a Dropbox Space.
- Dropbox Spaces with 'People pages' to allow users see everything they’ve shared or collaborated on with a specific member of their team.
- 'Team highlights' allowing users to focus on the most important work by seeing the most relevant activity from your team.
- Using AI, Dropbox Spaces can suggest contents users need.
- Having text descriptions to break down its purpose, and basic to-do lists for managing upcoming tasks.
- With 'Overview notifications', users can get notified when updates are made to folder overview descriptions and to-dos.
- Dropbox Spaces allow others to comment directly from their desktop.
According to Dropbox on the announcement:
"We think technology should reduce distractions and take busywork off your plate. That's why Dropbox is building the world's first smart workspace—to bring all of your team's content together while letting you use the tools you love, so you can focus on the work that matters."
As previously said, Dropbox Spaces is the evolution of shared folders.
It transforms users' folders into collaborative workspaces that bring team's content together into one place. Using machine learning technology, Dropbox Spaces can help users stay focus on their most important works, and give them the ways to stay in sync with their team members.
Dropbox Spaces has been made available on the 'new Dropbox' desktop experience, dropbox.com, as well as the Dropbox mobile app.
However, not all of the above features are made available at Dropbox Spaces' initial launch.
Dropbox is clearly showing that it doesn’t want to be seen as just a storage company any more. Dropbox CEO Drew Houston hinted this, when he once asked audience members to stop thinking Dropbox as a storage company.