Popular cloud storage solution, Dropbox has begun enabling two-step verification for their accounts, which means in addition to your password (something you know), they send an additional access code to your phone, or let you generate a time-based code with a mobile app like Google Authenticator (something you own). Although no security scheme is unbreakable, two-factor authentication is absolutely better than one. And if you keep personal data in Dropbox, you're absolutely going to want to use it.

How to enable Dropbox two-step verification on your Mac or Windows PC

Dropbox is currently providing two-factor verification as a beta but will be rolling it out to all accounts over the next few days. If you're reading this during the beta period, you'll have to manually enable it by downloading the Dropbox beta from their forum.

1. Download Dropbox 1.5.12.
2. Install Dropbox 1.5.12.

How to enable Dropbox two-step verification on your account

Once you're sure you're running the latest, greatest, proper version of Dropbox software, you need to turn on two-factor authentication on your account.

1. Go to http://www.dropbox.com/try_twofactor on your desktop web browser.
2. Login to your Dropbox account if you aren't already.
3. If everything is good to go, you'll see a green banner at the top of the web page that reads: "Success! You can now try enabling two-step verification. Look under the "Account sign in" section of this page."
4. Scroll down to Account sign in.
5. Two-step verification will be set to disabled, click on (change).
6. Click on Get started at the bottom right of the Enable two-step verification pop-up.
7. Enter your Dropbox password.
8. Choose whether you want your verification code sent to your phone over SMS, or if you want to generate a time-based code using a mobile app like Google Authenticator.
9. For this example, I'm using SMS, and entering my country code, area code, and iPhone number.
10. Enter the code you received via SMS, or generated via the mobile authenticator app. (Note: The first two codes they sent me were rejected as invalid, the third one worked, so you may need to try several times.)
11. Record your emergency backup code in case you ever lose your phone and need to temporarily disable two-step verification. (They suggest writing it on paper but I hate that so I put it in 1Password.)
12. Click **Enable two-step verification" on the bottom right.

That's it, you're done! From now on, whenever you log in to dropbox.com or enable a new computer or mobile device, you'll have to enter the SMS or generator code to make sure everything in nice and secure.

How to login to Dropbox two-step verification on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad

The next time you need to add a device to your Dropbox account, for example, in a couple of months when a shiny new iPhone 5 or iPad mini follows you home from the Apple Store, you'll need to use that fancy new authentication code to do it.

1. Download the Dropbox for iOS app if you haven't already.
2. Launch the Dropbox app for the Home screen.
3. Tap I'm already a Dropbox user.
4. Enter your Dropbox account Email address and Password.
5. Tap Log into Dropbox.
6. Dropbox will SMS you a security code or you'll go create one using Google Authenticator. (If you're using SMS, and you're quick enough, you can watch for the Notification Center banner and type the code without ever leaving the Dropbox app.)
7. Enter the Code.
8. Tap Submit Code. (It only took two tries to get a valid code this time...)

That's it! Well, Dropbox will ask you if you want to enable automatic uploads (I don't, I use Photo Stream, but that's pretty much it.

Additional help and resources

If you need more help setting up Dropbox two-step verification, or if you want to setup additional two-step verifications for Gmail, hit the links below. And if you try it out, let me know how it works for you.

• iMore Forums Dropbox two-step verification setup and help thread
• How to setup Google Gmail two-step verification

The latest Dropbox beta adds support for two-step verification, and what's more -- Dropbox will be rolling out two-step verification to all accounts over the next few days. Similar to Google's two-step verification, in addition to your password (something you know), Dropbox will send an additional access code to you via text message to your phone, or allow you to generate something using an authenticator app, like Google Authenticator, on your iPhone or other mobile device (something you have). It's not without some caveats, however. According to The Verge's Dante D'Orazio:

We're a bit concerned about the backup options should you lose access to your phone — Dropbox only provides a single emergency access code — but otherwise the feature seems to be working well.

Two-factor authentication gained newfound attention recently following the brutal hacking and burning of Wired's Mat Honan, whose Apple, Amazon, Gmail, Twitter, and other accounts were compromised and abused, and his data trashed. No third-party system, including two-factor, can make up for not having proper backups or social engineering attacks compromising services outside of your control. But if your data lives in Dropbox, two-step verification is absolutely better than one.

You can try it out now via the Dropbox forums, or wait until the option officially rolls out to your account. If you do take it for a drive, let me know how it works for you.

Free - Download now

Source: Dropbox forums via The Verge

Photo Stream debuted in iOS 5 as part of iCloud and while it offered some nifty automatic backup and sync store and push features, it lacked a lot of the sharing and gallery features that made Mobile Me so family friendly. Now, with iOS 6, Apple is adding sharing back to their cloud photo solution, and while it's not the same as before, it could be just as social.

Here's how Apple describes Shared Photo Streams.

Now you can share just the photos you want, with just the people you choose. Simply select photos from the Photos app, tap the Share button, choose who you want to share your photos with, and they're on their way. Friends using iCloud on an iOS 6 device or a Mac running Mountain Lion get the photos delivered immediately in the Photos app or iPhoto. You can even view shared photo streams on Apple TV. If the folks you're sharing with aren't using an Apple device, they can view your photos on the web. People can like individual photos and make comments. And you can share as much as you want: Your shared photo streams don't count against your iCloud storage, and they work over Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

And, based on what Apple has shown off to date, here's how it works:

• From your Photo Stream album, select the photos you want to share.

• Choose the contacts you want to share the Photo Stream photos with.

• A push notification will notify your contacts of the shared Photo Stream photo.

• Shared Photo Stream photos appear in albums in the iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad photo album.

• Shared Photo Stream photos appear in the Photo Stream section of iPhoto and Aperture on Mac OS X.

• Shared Photo Stream photos can be also be viewed in a web browser, including on Windows PCs.

• Shared Photo Stream photos appear in the Photo Stream section of Apple TV as well.

While it doesn't work the same way the old MobileMe Galleries did, Shared Photo Stream do provide some interesting functionality all their own. The question is, with the ability to share photos already built into popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter, and services like Instagram and Path, does anyone really need Photo Streams to be shared as well? Perhaps, especially for those who don't really want to be social with their photos, but who only want to share them directly with a few friends and family members.

iOS 6 is scheduled for release this fall, perhaps as soon as September 19. For more on iOS 6 and Siri, check out:

• Ultimate guide to iCloud
• Everything you need to know about iOS 6
• iOS 6 discussion forum

The CruxSKUNK keyboard for iPad has appeared on Kickstarter and is looking for backing to fund its development and eventual manufacture. Forget the name, as it doesn't do this iPad accessory any justice at all and take a look at this amazingly thin keyboard that could take typing on your iPad to the next level. The CruxSKUNK keyboard is only 6mm thick which is the thinnest keyboard available for any iPad. When you put the iPad into the keyboard case, the whole package is only 19mm thick which sounds very exciting.

The CruxSKUNK maintains the simplicity of the iPad while staying true to Apple's design aesthetic. It perfectly complements the style of the iPad. In fact, most of the people we've shown the CruxSKUNK to have mistaken it for a Macbook Pro. We of course take this as a compliment since we want to give our users an experience that is seamless between the iPad and the CruxSKUNK.

The CruxSKUNK features a full-sized QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard is raised above the plane of the surrounding aluminum—which makes it extremely easy to type on. In addition, you'll be typing on a full-sized keyboard with full-sized keys. You won't have to compromise on this keyboard since all of the keys are exactly where your fingers remember. Last but not least, we've added special function keys to the top for those functions you use most often.

The CruxSKUNK connects to the iPad through Bluetooth; so once the first pairing has been done, it will always connect automatically in the future. It is powered by an inbuilt rechargeable 350mAH battery which should only need to be recharged once a month. Another innovative feature is a 360 degree hinge which allows you to swivel the iPad into a tablet like form factor without having to remove it from the keyboard case.

If you like the idea of the CruxSKUNK, you can become an early adopter with a pledge of $135 or more to secure one should they make it into production. The CruxSKUNK currently has around $61,000 of pledges and it needs to hit over $90,000 to gain enough to be funded; it still has 38 days to go. As with all of these Kickstarter projects, just because a particular item reaches its funding total doesn't guarantee it will go into production so be careful with your money.

Do you like the look of the CruxSKUNK keyboard for iPad or does the name put you of a bit?

Source: Kickstarter

Some 364 days ago, we talked a little bit about how your iPhone or iPad can help you prepare for natural disasters. (At least for the ones that you have time to prepare for.) That was Hurricane Irene. Now, we've got another I-storm (excuse the pun) headed for United States, with Isaac. (And, yes, more specifically, the Gulf Coast and your's truly.)

Here are some of the tips we brought you last year, updated with some new ones.

• Charge your iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads. Now. Keep them charged. And once the storm starts, keep them off. You'll likely lose power at some point, and there's a good chance your local cell network will go down for a bit, even with generator backups.
• Spare batteries. You can't swap batteries in Apple products, but you can get external batteries. If you got 'em, make sure they're charged, too. If you still have time to get some, do it.
• Car charger. Get one. Get a couple, actually.
• After the storm, text messages may work best. If the network's up, it's going to be clogged, and calls might not go through. iMessage might not go through. Text messages have a much better chance.
• If you're worried about damage and don't have a traditional camera, use your phone to take a few pictures of your home and your belongings. It'll make insurance claims much easier, should it come to that.
• While you still have power and internet access, be it on your phone or broadbad, take advantage of features like instant uploading on Photo Stream, Google+, or Dropbox to make sure those pictures get somewhere that can't be destroyed by the storm. Better to be safe than sorry in that case.
• If you just have to use Instagram during a storm, don't use a damn filter. Folks wanna see what's happening, and filters don't help that.
• Use apps like Evernote to help keep track of your emergency supplies.
• Before the storm, use those gas-finder apps to track down the cheapest petrol. That won't help you with the lines, but it may save you a few bucks.
• Apps from FEMA and the Red Cross can help you find shelters and other emergency information.

Those are but a few ways your iPhone or iPad can get you through this. Have a tip you'd like to share? Let's hear 'em in the comments! And good luck, everyone. Stay safe.

Phil Nickinson of Android Central and Rene Ritchie of iMore talk Apple vs. Samsung and the U.S. court verdict that saw Apple awarded over $1 billion in damages. This is a Mobile Nations special!

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Tim Cook became CEO of Apple one year ago yesterday, following the retirement of Steve Jobs. A soft-spoken, measured, methodical gentleman from the South, he'd been Apple's COO for years, and ran the company on several occasions during Steve Jobs' medical leaves of absence. A logistical and supply-chain genius, he took Apple from being better if more expensive, to much better at prices the competition couldn't begin to match. He helped take Apple from a computer company with a small if premium market share to a consumer electronic juggernaut that could launch products across the world at an unbelievable pace.

As CEO, over the course of the last year, Tim Cook's Apple launched the iPhone 4S, the new iPad, and the Retina MacBook Pro. They released OS X Mountain Lion and previewed iOS 6. They held the Lets Talk iPhone, the Education event, the See and Touch event, and WWDC 2012.

Cook was named one of Time's 100 most influential people. He went to Washington and to China. He spoke to Goldman Sachs and spoke at and the D10 Conference. He announced Apple would begin a new charitable matching program for employees.

He dealt with accusations over Chinese working conditions, and the odd attention of the New York Times.

They lost Steve Jobs, who co-founded the company and, through single act of will, made Apple and a part of our culture what it is today. But they've kept his legacy very much alive.

Apple's had record breaking quarter after record breaking quarter and won a $1 billion dollar verdict against Samsung.

It was a momentous year by any standards, and it was only Tim Cook's first.

Here's to year two.