Document sharing startup Box.net announced today that it has added a key feature to its iPad and iPhone applications — the ability to download files for offline viewing.
It seems like a relatively straightforward improvement, but it could dramatically improve the apps’ usefulness. Previously, users needed a cell or Wifi connection to read or comment on their files stored in Box. Now, if they want to read a document when they’re on a flight, or if going anywhere else without reliable network access, they can just choose the files they need, then those files will download to their device for offline reading.
As part of that offline functionality, Box says it will notify users when an online document is updated, so that they can synchronize the version on their mobile device and make sure it’s up-to-date.
The Palo Alto, Calif. company is also sharing some statistics about its apps today. The iPad and iPhone apps (included for free as part of a user’s Box account, which itself may be free or paid) have been downloaded more than 150,000 times, and in the second quarter of 2010 they were used to preview around 1 million documents. Cofounder and chief executive Aaron Levie said he’s definitely starting to see different uses on the iPad versus the iPhone, specifically with iPad users leaving more document comments. Plus customers in certain industries like construction are able to access important documents outside the office at a work site. The differentiation between the two devices will probably grow, but Levie added, “I don’t think there’s enough volume at this point to know completely where that split will come.”
The company also plans to release an Android app this month, with a BlackBerry app to follow soon.
Box has raised a total of $29.5 million in funding from Scale Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and US Venture Partners. It recently appointed Dan Levin, a former Intuit executive, as its first chief operating officer, a move that Levie said should help the company continue to run smoothly as it grows past 100 employees.
VentureBeat's mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Learn More
