Dropbox for iOS adds new Recents tab, supports comments

Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox for iOS 3.9.0, a significant update to its client for iPhone and iPad. The new build debuts three new features and improvements.

There’s a new Recents tab option added to the home screen to provide an alternative way of browsing documents, while users can now add comments to documents from directly within the app. The app also segues in with existing Microsoft Office iOS apps for easy access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Once upgraded, users should discover a new Recents tab, which -- after a short pause the first time the new version of the app is opened -- appears next to the existing options of Files, Photos, Favorites and Settings. This displays files in the order they were last opened or updated.

Version 3.9 also incorporates the new commenting feature -- recently unveiled via Dropbox’s web interface -- into the app. When browsing a document, users can tap the speech bubble to leave a comment for other users. Directly reference other Dropbox users by typing "@" followed by their username -- once posted, these users are notified of the comment via push notifications, making it easy for them to review and respond.

The app also rolls out the ability to edit Dropbox-hosted Office documents using the relevant Office app (Word, Excel or PowerPoint). By opening the document via Dropbox, users ensure that any changes they make using the iOS Office app is saved directly back into Dropbox. Users should -- over the next few weeks as the feature rolls out -- also be able to create new Office documents from scratch simply by browsing to the relevant folder, then tapping "Create New File".

If the relevant app isn’t installed when users attempt to access the feature, they’ll be signposted to the App Store to download and install them. Office apps are free to use, but some features are restricted to those with a paid-for Office 365 account.

Version 3.9 also adds support for the 1Password login extension, which will allows users of the service to create and access 1Password items from within Dropbox itself. The update is rounded off with the usual vague promise of "behind the scenes changes to make the app more reliable".

Dropbox for iOS 3.9.0 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. Some features -- notably the Action Extension -- require iOS 8 or later.