I wasn't aware that Dropbox could sync my contacts & calendars for free. I'll have to check out those hidden features for the free version of Dropbox.
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iCloud or Dropbox ?
- Thread starter OJStudios
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I wasn't aware that Dropbox could sync my contacts & calendars for free. I'll have to check out those hidden features for the free version of Dropbox.
I find it weird that,most apps that doesn't support dropbox but supports icloud, supports webdav as well, so I just use Box's webdav service, the great news is, Box provides free desktop sync finally. I use icloud for syncing settings and game progress but I don't want my documents in there.
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What do you mean by "doesn't support dropbox"? To the application, Dropbox is just another folder. I use edit some files in my Dropbox folder with Classic applications.
I have never heard such a claim- perhaps you deleted them which deleted across the linked devices.
iCloud is an infant not ready for prime time yet. Why they could not expand and improve iDisk is apsolutely mind boggling to me.
I vote dropbox
It's in the "ipad apps" forum so apparently I'm talking about ipad apps, or ios apps in general. In a closed system, support is crucial, otherwise your data goes from dropbox(with the open-in feature in dropbox app) into an app and never comes back.
If we're only talking about full-blown computers or open mobile system like android, choosing whichever cloud service ultimately goes down to personal taste (say, "I love Google so I use G Drive") or certain specific tiny feature that doesn't matter to 90% of the people.
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I think he meant he had a problem with connection,failed to upload it and didn't realized it.
Otherwise, you can always recover deleted files in 30 days, that saved my ass once cuz a stupid third-party cloud services totally screwed my dropbox.
Or, in a rare case, he uploaded some files with file names legitimate on iOS/Android but not on computers, so the file won't sync down to the computer. That happened to me once and I almost thought dropbox lost my file.
My theory is that Apple is deliberately hobbling dropbox's effectiveness so that it will not obsolete their own icloud service (remember how they tried to buy over dropbox some time back?)
My theory is that Apple is deliberately hobbling dropbox's effectiveness so that it will not obsolete their own icloud service (remember how they tried to buy over dropbox some time back?)
It's more nature than deliberation. Seamless integration and openness don't really play well together.
If its a CAD app, I would think you'd want to share actual CAD drawings with real CAD software on non-iOS platforms.
That alone says Dropbox is your better option to me, since it supports all OS platforms.
Dropbox doesn't sync key value data as well since they aren't document based. It doesn't offer sophisticated file locking so a database could be corrupted if two users try to access the same file.
Other problems with Dropbox are illustrated here:
As a developer, however, I have come to realize how iCloud is years ahead of Dropbox.
For a developer I think it's pretty easy.
Use both if you are cross platform. Use iCloud first and foremost if you are strictly within the iOS/OS X ecosystem and then consider Dropbox as a secondary sync method.
No, what I mean is that in order to edit a document from dropbox on my ipad, I need to first open it with the respective program (pages/numbers/keynote). However, after making the respective changes, I find the only way to get the edited document back into dropbox is to first email it to myself, then open the file in dropbox. I could also download it from icloud.com, but it pretty much works out to the same thing.
According to the mountain lion preview, icloud will let you save your documents in a special folder on OSX, which then auto-syncs with your ios devices, thus streamlining the process.
For the time being, I use evernote to type out my notes on my ipad, which I then copy over on my imac.
I have the ability to open a file from DropBox using DocsToGo, edit the file in DTG and then it is automatically synced back to DroBox.
This... unless of course the person moved the file from DB and the moved it back up.
Just open the file in DB don't move, edit and save. Updates it for you.
Both products are quite different. If possible, use both. Really with Dropbox, it's pretty simple for users to handle things themselves. On the Mac or PC it's just a drag and drop to the correct folder. You would really not need to do anything there.
On iOS (or other mobile platforms) you would need to add a button to save the file directly to the Dropbox app.
iCloud is automated and really only works for iOS and Mac. If your app is for those platforms then integrating iCloud would be a major benefit for your users--but likely a lot more work for you. Where the automation is beneficial is that when your users create something on one device, it automatically becomes available on their others. Any changes made automatically sync to the file on the other devices as well. If your users' files will handle delta changes easily and you don't mind doing the work to integrate iCloud for a Mac/iOS centric application it could be a major selling point for you. Not a lot of developers have taken the time to do it.
Dropbox only = simplest solution for you
iCloud only = more complex for you, more valuable for your users
Dropbox & iCloud = increased value and usability for users, potential competitive advantage for your app
On iOS (or other mobile platforms) you would need to add a button to save the file directly to the Dropbox app.
iCloud is automated and really only works for iOS and Mac. If your app is for those platforms then integrating iCloud would be a major benefit for your users--but likely a lot more work for you. Where the automation is beneficial is that when your users create something on one device, it automatically becomes available on their others. Any changes made automatically sync to the file on the other devices as well. If your users' files will handle delta changes easily and you don't mind doing the work to integrate iCloud for a Mac/iOS centric application it could be a major selling point for you. Not a lot of developers have taken the time to do it.
Dropbox only = simplest solution for you
iCloud only = more complex for you, more valuable for your users
Dropbox & iCloud = increased value and usability for users, potential competitive advantage for your app
Woke up this morning with an email from DropBox informing me that they're doubling my storage plan from 50gb to 100gb at no extra cost.
You got the god one. I had 10 gigs and Just got the 20 gigs free. but I had 19 gigs with referrals so no extra space. but they also gave me free packrat (already had that) and my account is now fully free.
And if your application doesn't support Documents In the Cloud, of which there are many, then iCloud doesn't sync anything. At all.
Documents in the Cloud is a nice solution if you're going to only use Apple-approved, iCloud-enabled apps and don't care at all about cross-platform compatibility, but there are still lots of situations that require a file-based workflow.
The moment you collaborate with just one individual who isn't part of the Walled Garden, iCloud becomes worse than useless.
Because of this, I use iCloud, but also have to use Dropbox now that iDisk is no more. I wasn't a bit happy when it was shut down.
Truer words have not been spoken on this subject.
The limitations imposed on iCloud syncing (documents) kills the deal entirely- if fact, yes it's useless.
I tend to use both! Dropbox for file sharing as they just doubled my space for free to 117GB
iCloud to keep my apple stuff in sync!
Also, I have a 3 month 100GB dropbox trial I can give to someone. PM and I will send the invite. If you don't have dropbox already that is!
iCloud to keep my apple stuff in sync!
Also, I have a 3 month 100GB dropbox trial I can give to someone. PM and I will send the invite. If you don't have dropbox already that is!
I use Dropbox everyday for biz documents. It just works well. iCloud, well, it back ups my iDevices and not much else.