14 DAY TRIAL // Looks like ownCloud is still alive and kicking, and they've just released an updated version of their mobile app for Android handsets, versioned 2.5.0, which introduces a new security authentication workflow and other improvements.
The best feature of the ownCloud for Android 2.5 app is support for the OAuth 2 authorization framework designed to enable apps to get limited access to user accounts on an HTTP service like Facebook or GitHub. This adds an extra layer of security when you communicate with an ownCloud cloud server.
"OAuth 2 is a mechanism that prevents you from storing your credentials on the device itself," said ownCloud in the release notes. "The device gets a token by the server which can be revoked any time. This means there are no login credentials on the device which could be read by thefts."
Improved stability, other enhancements
Among other enhancements that landed in the ownCloud for Android 2.5 app, we can mention the ability to display a file listing option (a.k.a. anonymous upload) when sharing a folder, which requires OC X, more reliable instant uploads, as well as better notifications when viruses are detected during an upload.
Various user interface and UX improvements are also present in this release, which squashed multiple bugs that have been reported by users since the previous version. Android users can download the ownCloud for Android 2.5 app right now from the Google Play store, and it's coming soon to the F-Droid repository as well.
As ownCloud is an open-source software, you can also download the source code from project's GitHub page. However, newcomers will have to pay $0.99 USD to purchase the Android app. An iOS client for ownCloud is available as well on Apple's iTunes App Store, allowing you to have your own private file sync and share cloud running in no time.
