Dropbox, Inc. (NASDAQ: DBX), a leading global collaboration platform, unveiled a new integrated workspace, the biggest user-facing change in the company’s history. With updates to the Dropbox desktop experience, dropbox.com, and the mobile app, users get a single workspace designed to bring files, fragmented work tools, and teams together. The update includes†early access†to a new desktop app designed to provide a convenient new access point to the workspace.
“Work has become scattered—files are spread across devices, in the cloud, and on our hard drives. We’re working across multiple apps that don’t talk to each other, and teams are struggling to keep up,” said Drew Houston, CEO, Dropbox. “We’re focused on removing the friction from that experience, pulling everything together in a way that nobody has done before. The new Dropbox helps you quiet the noise and find focus at work.”
Bring content together
The new Dropbox brings cloud-based content into the Dropbox file system to provide one central location for all content, including:
- Cloud-based content†like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which users can now create, access, and share within Dropbox. Users can also open Microsoft Office files in Office Online or Google Docs.
- Shortcuts to web content†with links to productivity tools like Trello boards, wiki pages, and news articles. Users can now create and store web shortcuts alongside traditional content in Dropbox.
The Dropbox icon that sits in the Windows system tray and macOS menu bar has been updated to make it easier for users to keep track of what’s happening with shared content, quickly access their most important work, and create new content right from Dropbox. Users can also now access a team activity feed for updates on shared files.
Bring tools together
The new Dropbox brings together the tools people want to use the most so they can spend less time switching between apps and more time getting work done. Last year, the company announced†Dropbox Extensions, a series of integrations that let users start and finish workflows—like signing contracts and annotating videos—in the Dropbox platform. Beginning today, users can also:
- Start†Slack†conversations and send files to Slack channels directly from Dropbox, and easily share Dropbox files within Slack conversations.
- Join or add†Zoom†Meetings directly from Dropbox, and present files directly from Dropbox in Zoom.
- See Slack and Zoom sharing activities right next to your files in Dropbox.
The company has also formed a strategic partnership with†Atlassian.†In the coming months, the companies will build deep integrations across Dropbox and Atlassian’s platforms to create a better way for teams to organize, coordinate and run projects.
Bring teams together
Available via early access with the new desktop app, folders now have improved capabilities across desktop, mobile, and web, providing a rich workspace for teams. Users can:
- Pin files†to the top of a folder to give anyone with access to the folder quick access to important content.
- Add folder descriptions†to give everyone context on the files they see.
- Create to-dos†at the top of a folder.
- @mention teammates†to draw attention to folder descriptions or to-dos.
- Get updates on file activity, including content shared in Slack and Zoom from any device.
- See who’s viewed files†with the viewer info feature now available on desktop.
- Comment on shared content†across desktop, mobile, and web.
“The proliferation of cloud files and work apps is staggering, and can make work feel scattered and overwhelming,” said IDC analyst Marci Maddox, Research Manager, Enterprise Content Strategies. “The new Dropbox experience offers a modernized central workspace where users can access all of their files-including web-based and traditional files, seamlessly integrate popular tools, and better coordinate with team members. It’s the first time anyone has natively integrated these new modes of work in one place.”
All Dropbox users can†opt in†to the new desktop app through the Dropbox early access program, and admins can opt their teams in via the admin console. All other features are now generally available to all users and will be rolling out over the next few weeks.
