The update, which should be hitting the App Store soon, will make it easier for users to get things done and access their documents, whether they are connected to the Internet or not.
The Box.net app [iTunes link] was one of the first business apps with iPad compatibility. To better understand how the app and the iPad are being used by small businesses, the company is doing real-world research with D7 Consulting, according to Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of Box.net.
One of the biggest feature requests from D7 employees was the ability to access files offline. Offline file access isn't usually a big factor for mobile phone users, but when using a device that is Wi-Fi-only or in a situation where no data connection exists (like an airplane), it can be a very important option. Within the Box.net app, users can now download files or folders for access offline.
Lots of other file documentation services make it possible for you to work offline, but not many address the issues that can arise when working on shared or collaborative documents. For instance, if I download a Google Doc off the cloud and then get on an airplane, I'm not always guaranteed that I can get access to changes made to that file while I was in the air.
After an Internet connection has been established, the Box.net app alerts users if there have been any changes to their offline documents. The app will then sync any changes made on the local end with the document on the cloud server.
On the iOS 4 side, Box.net now supports background uploading or downloading, fast app switching and higher resolution graphics for iPhone 4 displays.
Box wants to make its service consistent, whether being accessed online, on the desktop or on a mobile device. To that end, better file caching has been added to the app to improve file preview times and make accessing folders with hundreds or thousands of documents less laggy.