The file sharing platform Nextcloud has been updated to its new version 14, bringing new features, bug fixes, and security.
Between the most notable are the improvements to the Talk videoconferencing system, video verification, advanced two-factor authentication, file notes, and a streamlined interface.
Nextcloud is a web application that allows the secure exchange of data and communicationn. Version 14 was released a few days ago, which brings a good number of new features seven months after its previous Nextcloud 13 version.
All components, including business functionality, are offered as open source and the earnings model is the same as Red Hat's, meaning it offers pay-as-you-go support for large customers.
Nextcloud also promises the so-called direct replacementWhich enables easily switch from ownCloud to Nextcloud.
Features
- Easy-to-use web interface and applications on various Android, iOS, Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems
- Easy internal and external file sharing and collaboration with optional settings like password protection and expiration date
- Integrated audio and video chat, optional collaborative editing of Office documents, Outlook integration, and more
- Supports external data storage, such as Windows Network Drive, FTP, WebDAV, NFS and others
- Numerous active and passive security features, such as two-factor authentication, brute force protection, and CSP 3.0, as well as an audit trail
- Optionally with server-side encryption (adjustable by external memory) and end-to-end encryption on the client side (adjustable by folder)
- Full administrative control over file sharing using file access control rules like “DOCX can only be downloaded from internal network” or actions taken on specific actions (eg keyword setting)
What's new in Nextcloud 14
De the improvements established in this new version two of them are used to increase security- Video verification allows you to make video contact with a user before giving them a password.
For two-factor authentication, a new 'gateway' provider has been added, which makes it possible to use the secure messaging applications Signal and Telegram, as well as sending an SMS as a second factor in authentication.
The application has been greatly improved in terms of usability and accessibility. Added a new dark theme, as well as one with high contrast.
Talk, Nextcloud's video conferencing system, it has been greatly expanded. Now it can also be used without the need for a camera or microphone, multiple chats are possible in parallel, more protocols are supported, and operation has also been improved.
While previously it was possible to comment on a shared file, now in this new version of the application you can attach notes.
When searching for files, you can also search the text in the notes. Accidentally deleted files can now be restored.
The history of deleted files makes it easy to recover those files.
Cooperation between disparate Nextcloud instances has spread to group sharing. In the future, this should be extended to other items, including calendars, contacts, and chats.
For system administrators, there is a simplified update of the applications and the central registry in the Systemd journal.
Compliance with the European data protection directive GDPR is easier with a separate application and audit log file.
For enterprises, there is support for the OpenStack v3 Swift object store with API support for identity authentication and system authorization for the main storage backend.
It is also possible to authenticate to Samba servers using Kerberos.
Download Nextcloud
This new version is now available for download and for this you must go to the official website of the project where you can obtain the application installer.