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Dropbox Overhauls User Interface

The first name in file-syncing has rolled out a completely new look and feel for its service.

March 9, 2012

File-syncing service today completed a major redesign of its website, adding new a few new features as well. Dropbox is a freemium service that lets users synchronize their documents, photos, music, and other files through a cloud-based system. Users can install downloadable applications or just go to the Web app, to access or edit their files any time from virtually anywhere there's Internet.

The new look only affects the Web site side of the service at dropbox.com, and aims to make it simpler, more powerful, and better looking.

Users will notice a more streamlined look to their files and folder. A menu bar at the top now enables sorting by name, file type, and date modified. Right-clicking on any file or folder opens quick access functions: invite (meaning invite others to view or collaborate on the file), download, delete, rename, move, and copy.

An essential improvement is that the search bar has been moved to live right inside the file browser window. The search bar now delivers results as you type.

Dropbox also improved its formerly lackluster capabilities for photo and video on the site by adding thumbnails of images (and videos) stored in Dropbox, and a new photo viewer. The thumbnails make the service much more palatable to shutterbugs who don't reassign more descriptive file names to all the images they upload. The new photo viewer (shown below) sets images on a black background that helps them pop off the screen.

Another improvement Dropbox has added is support for drag-and-drop functionality, which enables users to move files around much more easily than before. Additionally, Dropbox has added some support for keyboard shortcuts to help power users navigate the site faster.

Dropbox was one of the earliest mainstream players in the file-synchronization services area, but it has faced tough competition in recent months from a few other companies, such as (free, 4.5 stars) and (free, 4 stars), that have typically touted their services as being more user-friendly. Dropbox, it seems, has heard the message with these improvements to its site. And the company says it's not quite done revamping Dropbox. Users can expect to see additional improvements in the coming months.

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