Uploading your files to the cloud might be fashionable these days, but some still like to keep their files, photos, videos, and anything else secure from prying eyes, yet still accessible if they're not at their computer. Synology, a maker of Network Attached Storage devices, which the company calls DiskStations (DS for short), has updated four of its apps; DS photo, DS file, DS note, and MailPlus.

DS photo

DS photo only has one update on its changelog, but it's a biggie: Android TV support. While it may not look that big to anyone who doesn't use Synology hardware and software for photo storage, for users of the service, this might be a big improvement: now photos can be shown off to friends or family on a larger screen, instead of peering at them on a tablet or phone.

Sadly, I was not able to get DS photo screenshots on Android TV.

WHAT'S NEW - DS photo DS photo is now available on Android TVs, allowing you to enjoy photos and videos on the large screen of selected smart TV models or with a smart set-top box.

DS file

There are more changes in other Synology DS apps though. DS file, a file manager for the NAS server, can now do automatic backups of files from your mobile device to the DiskStation - previously items would have to be moved manually - and files on the DS server can be shared to other apps on your phone as well. Files with duplicate names can also be overwritten or renamed as well, eliminating the possibility of losing important documents or other such things due to another item having the same name. There are also new security settings in the form of passcode or fingerprint locks on the app, keeping your files and server secure.

DS file

WHAT'S NEW - DS file Supports backing up photos and videos automatically from your mobile device to the Synology NAS

Supports passcode lock and fingerprint lock to protect user privacy

Supports sharing files on the Synology NAS to other mobile applications

Supports renaming and overwriting uploaded files that have same names as existing files on the Synology NAS

Fixed an issue where file operations might fail after DS file had its background data cleared and was relaunched

Minor bug fixes

DS note and Synology MailPlus

Two other Synology apps to see updates are DS note and Synology MailPlus. DS note now supports moving notes to an external SD card, fingerprint lock for security and privacy, and the ability to add notes to a shared notebook that someone else owns. Meanwhile, MailPlus has better conversation view for better mail browsing, passcode or fingerprint lock support, and integration with Synology Calendar to add events by tapping on the date or time.

DS note

WHAT'S NEW - DS note Supports moving DS note to an attached SD card

Supports fingerprint lock to protect user privacy

Allows non-owner users to add notes in shared notebooks

Fixed an issue where selecting or processing multiple to-do tasks at one time might cause app crash

Fixed an issue where long pressing on note text in the view mode might cause app crash

Fixed an issue where selecting destination for note links might fail

Minor bug fixes

WHAT'S NEW - Synology MailPlus Changed to the conversation view for better mail browsing

Supports adding events to Synology Calendar by tapping dates/times in mail

Supports setting passcode for data protection (Fingerprint scanner supported)

Minor bug fixes

Synology MailPlus

There are, of course, the usual bug fixes and such for these apps, as there always is. All these updates are now available in the Play Store. Keep in mind that to use DS photo, DS file, or DS note, you must have a Synology NAS server set up.