Dropbox has introduced a new feature called 'Streaming Sync' as a way for users to sync files between devices faster.
Users still only have to drag and drop their files into their folders, while the file hosting service now uploads and downloads the files simultaneously, according to PC Magazine. Prior to the update, a file would have to completely upload before a Dropbox user could download it. With the new feature, users can now save time by going through these processes simultaneously.
"That means an improved multi-client sync time for large files - typically 1.25x faster, and even up to 2x faster," Dropbox wrote in a blog post.
Streaming Sync can only be used for audio and video files with a size of 16MB or bigger because the new technology doesn't have an effect on text files or other small files. The company said syncing speed could be twice as fast for files with larger sizes, while the 25 percent increase would be for smaller files. Syncing of smaller files could be done a few seconds faster, while syncing of bigger files could be done a few minutes faster, Tech Times reported.
Nipunn Koorapati, engineer at Dropbox, explained the difference using Streaming Sync made for different files. The old syncing method allowed a 20MB file to sync in 25 seconds, while Streaming Sync helped the file stream four times faster. The new feature also works with a 500MB file, which previously synced in over six minutes, to sync in under five minutes.
"The improvement approaches 2x as the file's size increases given equal UL/DL (upload/download) bandwidth, but in practice, the speedup is limited by the slower side of the connection," Koorapati wrote in a blog post. "We did a test across two machines with the same network setup, (-1.2 mb/s UL, -5 mb/s/DL). There is an approximately 25% improvement on sync time."
Additional updates made to Dropbox's desktop client include support for four new languages, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, and Thai, and the ability to scroll through notifications.
Dropbox users can also now create links they can use to share files and accept files from other people right from the Dropbox menu, Tech Times reported.
Users can download the new Dropbox now from the company's website.