You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Support Apple Vision Pro
Hi jstdbx Dropbox Product Manager, thank you for popping in to elicit more information about what we Dropbox customers who use Apple Vision Pro (AVP) would like to see. Here are some thoughts:
Speaking for myself, first and foremost, it would be awesome if you'd simply permit the existing standard iPad Dropbox app to be available for the AVP instead of, essentially, deliberately choosing to block it. If you could just take that input and get it done now, I'm pretty confident everybody would appreciate it very much. I'm not talking about making a native app for the AVP just stop obstructing use of your perfectly fine iPad app for use in the AVP. It is frankly a shock that Dropbox is not directly available now. Please fix this.
The core need is firstly to be able to access/modify existing files and to create/store new files in the same Dropbox directories we currently use and depend upon within our AVP devices. The alternative, which is the current state, is that we can not directly access our Dropbox directories and work with them (other than through the browser interface, which is obviously nearly unusable and especially unwieldy within AVP).
But I surmise you may be fishing for potential additional use cases and user stories that are particularly unique to the AVP. I don't think it's much of a stretch to imagine some additional potential core needs and AVP enhancements beyond the bare minimum of making your existing Dropbox app available now for AVP. I can imagine ways to extend and enhance the basic file management and collaboration features to suit the immersive and spatial nature of mixed reality.
Here are some essential functionalities paired with potential AVP enhancements that could be important for users generally:
1. Seamless Access to Files and Folders
Core Need: Users need straightforward access to their Dropbox files and folders within the Apple Vision Pro environment. This includes viewing, opening, and organizing files in a spatial interface.
- AVP Enhancement: Visualization of files and folders in a 3D space, enabling users to navigate through their Dropbox directory in an intuitive and immersive manner.
2. Easy File Creation and Saving
Core Need: The ability to create new files or documents directly within the Apple Vision Pro environment and save them effortlessly to Dropbox, ensuring they’re synchronized across all devices.
- AVP Enhancement: Integration of voice or gesture controls to create new files, utilizing the spatial interface to place these files in specific Dropbox folders or projects visually.
3. Efficient File Sharing and Collaboration
Core Need: Sharing files or folders with colleagues or friends directly from the Dropbox app without needing to switch devices or leave the mixed reality environment.
- AVP Enhancement: Utilizing virtual collaboration spaces where documents can be shared and discussed in real-time, with changes synced immediately to Dropbox.
4. Offline Access to Important Files
Core Need: Accessing selected files offline, which is crucial for working in environments with limited or no internet connectivity.
- AVP Enhancement: Pre-selecting files for offline access via a spatial interface, potentially with visual indicators for files that are available offline.
5. Advanced Search and Organization Features
Core Need: Powerful search capabilities to quickly find files or folders within Dropbox, including the use of tags or specific file types.
- AVP Enhancement: Voice-activated search or the ability to visually sift through files and folders in a 3D space, making use of augmented reality to highlight or categorize search results dynamically.
6. Integration with Other Apps and Services
Core Need: Smooth integration with other productivity and creative apps used alongside Dropbox for a seamless workflow within the Apple Vision Pro ecosystem.
- AVP Enhancement: Drag-and-drop functionality in a 3D workspace to move files between Dropbox and other apps, enhancing multitasking and productivity.
These functionalities represent a blend of the essential capabilities provided by the Dropbox iPad app, enhanced by the immersive and interactive possibilities offered by the Apple Vision Pro. This combination would not only cater to the basic needs of accessing and managing files that we already store and depend upon in Dropbox, but also leverage the unique features of mixed reality to revolutionize how users interact with digital content and collaborate with others.
One more that just came to mind involves security and data controls:
7. Enhanced Security and Privacy Controls
Core Need: Robust security measures to protect sensitive information and control who has access to certain files or folders.
- AVP Enhancement: Utilizing retinal biometric data for authentication within the Apple Vision Pro, providing an extra layer of security when accessing Dropbox files. Spitballing here.