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Dropbox iOS app update adds automatic video, photo uploads

Cloud storage company Dropbox released an updated version of its iOS app on Thursday, bringing revised video and photo uploading features as well as a new Gallery view.

Dropbox version 1.5 offers iOS users the option to automatically upload photos and videos taken by an iPhone or iPad to the cloud, a feature that was previously only available to Android device owners.

Users can select whether to allow auto uploads over either Wi-Fi and cellular as well as whether to download an iPhone's entire library or just new media. Connected to the new feature is the chance to add bonus storage to an account. The company will match every megabyte of data uploaded through the new feature to be awarded in 500MB blocks up to 3GB. The plan is identical to other Dropbox rewards given out for beta testing on other platforms.

Screenshot of the Dropbox app's upload process.

In addition to the auto upload feature the app now comes with a so-called "Gallery" section that collects uploaded image files in a central location for easy viewing. Users can also tag favorite pictures, download photos to the iOS Camera Roll and send out a public link to the file that can be viewed in any web browser. Pictures downloaded from Dropbox servers are formatted into JPEG files, however, and the Gallery similarly reformats viewed photos presumably to account for bandwidth concerns.

Dropbox GalleryThe Gallery view offers new file handling options.

Rounding out the changes are options for bulk file relocation and deletion and the ability to upload a file of any size.

Dropbox version 1.5 is a free download that can be found in the iOS App Store.