Dropbox released a new beta version of its desktop application for both the Mac and Windows that offer a number of small improvements that users will certainly appreciate. The first being support of iPhoto, which obviously is only available to Mac users. Dropbox for Mac is a file hosting service that provides cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software. It is a modern workspace that allows you to get to all of your files, manage, and share them with anyone, from anywhere. Features: Dropbox app for Mac automatically backs up all photos and videos in your camera roll. Login to Dropbox. Bring your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and keep your files safe. You can continue using the Dropbox folder in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) exactly as you did before. You can even change your preferences to continue to open the Dropbox folder by default instead of the new desktop app.
The 9to5Mac team has discovered that the latest Dropbox beta for Mac (sadly, not easy to grab) has the option of syncing your desktop, Documents and Downloads.
How to update to the latest version of the desktop app
If you want to manually update to the latest stable version of the Dropbox desktop app, you can get it from our download page or our install page (for Linux users).
How to see which version of the Dropbox desktop app you're running
There are two ways to see which version of the Dropbox desktop app you’re currently running on your computer.
On macOS and Windows, you can simply hover your mouse pointer over the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar. Linux, macOS, and Windows users can also follow the instructions below:
- Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.
- Click your profile picture or initials.
- Click Preferences.
- Open the General tab.
Can I disable auto-updates?
Like many programs and applications, Dropbox may automatically update to the latest version. These updates are rolled out gradually after a new update is available, and are necessary to keep the desktop app functioning.
You cannot disable or turn off auto-updates.
These updates ensure you’re running the most up-to-date version of Dropbox, which often has performance and security enhancements. And if Dropbox can't keep itself up-to-date, some features may stop working. For example, the app may stop syncing.
Notes about auto-updates:
- If Dropbox software is installed on your computer, it will update regardless of whether you installed it or the application came preloaded by the device manufacturer
- The proxy settings you add using these steps aren't used to update the Dropbox app
- Dropbox uses your operating system network settings to apply auto-updates
Modern technology enables a team to operate in different locations across your company and the world. If you’re a software developer, there’s no reason why you couldn’t pick the best programmers based in Germany, document writers from the UK, whilst your graphic artists could be based in the States.
The problem is bringing these people together. You need a system where your team or teams can share files and information, make sure that no-one overwrites someone else’s work and keep a collection of previously updated files, so you can quickly reverse back to a previous revision, if necessary. Doing this on your website requires you have the relevant versioning technology and that it will work across various operating systems. A versioning tool that works fine on Windows may not be suitable for OS X.
Dropbox Beta Download
DropBox is an online sharing tool that enables you to select the files you want to share and synchronise with other users, then simply upload them to the remote site. That bit is done automatically, so you don’t need to worry about having to upload the files manually. You can share folders and collaborate with other users on the files within these folders. Versioning will stop work being overwritten.
Dropbox Backup Mac Beta
You can just use Dropbox on a personal level, too. If you own a desktop computer at home, use another at work and a laptop when you’re away from the office, simply use DropBox to synchronise your important files across each machine. You can also access your DropBox files from the web, if you need access from a temporary host PC.
Better still, setup your software so they write preferences to your DropBox folder, then sync these settings and preferences across your computers, enabling you to have the same setup across your desktop and laptop or PC and Mac. We use it to store our 1Password account and synchronise this data across our computers, meaning everyone has access to the same database.
DropBox will limit you to 2GB of free online storage (and you can purchase more, if required) and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Note that this is the 'Beta Build' which Dropbox release to forum members for testing.
Verdict:
Dropbox App
Promising tool for enabling you to backup your files online, synchronise across your various computers and even share with other users