OneDrive 4.4 and Dropbox 3.3 for iOS launch, promise major new features

OneDrive and Dropbox users with access to an iPhone or iPad rejoice: both iOS apps were just updated with major improvements with the release of Microsoft OneDrive 4.4 and Dropbox 3.3.

Both apps gain new features -- the ability to search within Word and PowerPoint documents in Dropbox, a brand new Photos view in OneDrive -- as well as a number of improvements and stability fixes.

Dropbox 3.3 adds support for searching within Word and PowerPoint documents via what it terms new, "higher fidelity" previews. There’s also support for displaying larger animated GIFs.

The app also comes with the promise of smarter caching, which should reduce the amount of data transmitted and also free up more disk space.

The update also comes with the promise of improving its ability to open up where the user last left it, and is rounded off with a slew of bug fixes.

Meanwhile, the OneDrive app gains an updated Shared View, plus adds a new Photos view. This provides convenient access to all photos taken on the iPad or iPhone that have been backed up to OneDrive using its Camera Backup option.

Existing photos from other sources -- as well as any screenshots taken on the iOS device -- remain accessible via the Files view (in the case of screenshots, look under Camera Roll).

There’s a new updated Shared view for seeing and managing existing shared files and folders, while users can now easily share multiple files and folders with one link too -- just tap to select the items in question before tapping the Share button and choosing Invite People or Share a Link. The items are then accessible via a specially created "Shared items 00-00-2014" shortcut folder.

Another major -- and overdue -- new feature allows users to finally search their storage for files and folders directly from within the app itself -- just pull the main folder pane down to reveal the search box.

One final new feature allows users to set up a new account directly from within the app itself. Version 4.4 is rounded off with the usual mix of bug fixes and stability improvements.

Both Dropbox 3.3 and OneDrive 4.4 are available now as free apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Both apps require iOS 7.0 or later.