Google Drive

333 'Google Drive' stories September 2011 - November 2017

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Google Drive was launched in April of 2012 and encompasses Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, among other Google apps. In addition to being an office productivity suite, Drive allows users to upload their files and photos. Users get 15GB of free storage between Gmail, Photos and Drive, with the option to purchase more on a monthly basis.

Like with Docs, Google allows users to create links to share uploaded files. Google Drive supports a variety of image and video formats, as well as Microsoft Office and Adobe file formats. Third-party apps can integrate and store data in Drive, while the official Mac and Windows apps allow automatic syncing of local data from a desktop.

On Chrome, the Drive app can sync files for offline viewing. Android and iOS apps allow users to view all their files on the go and make edits.

Google Drive

Copied Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides can soon include comments, suggestions

Abner Li Nov 8 2017 - 11:38 am PT

Following a very useful tweak to the image picker earlier this week, Google Drive is getting another small, but noticeable feature. Copying a document will soon include the option to bring over the original file’s comments and suggestions.

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Google Drive

Google simplifies image insertion in Docs, Slides, & Drawings, adds Google Photos drawer

Abner Li Nov 6 2017 - 8:50 am PT

In a small, but impactful update, Google today announced that the Drive apps are receiving “improvements to the image insertion process.” Applicable to Docs, Slides, and Drawings on the web, there is now a redesigned menu and dedicated drawer for adding images to files.

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Google Drive

Google explains Tuesday’s Drive and Docs bug that marked some files as violating ToS

Abner Li Nov 2 2017 - 10:13 am PT

On Tuesday, several Google Docs users noticed that they were not able to access their files, with Drive displaying a Terms of Service violation error. In a blog post, Google today explained the issue and addressed concerns that arose.

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Google working on ‘Advanced Protection Program’ for high-value targets, politicians that replaces 2FA

Abner Li Sep 29 2017 - 4:59 pm PT

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In light of high-profile hacks of political figures, especially during the 2016 US Presidential election, Google is working on new security tools. Aimed as a service for politicians and executives, it will replace two-factor authentication (2FA) and enforce other security policies.

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Comment: Google needs to start giving users more control over Android backups

Ben Schoon Sep 14 2017 - 11:32 am PT

Today, a story from an Android user is making the rounds about how Google unexpectedly killed their device backup with no warning. To be clear, the functionality here is nothing new; Google has had the two-month expiration in place for quite some time.

However, given the backlash by customers who didn’t know it was there is proof enough that it’s time for the company to give us better control over backups.

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Google Drive

It’s not just you, Google Drive is down right now for some

Ben Schoon Sep 7 2017 - 9:12 am PT

A lot of us rely on Google Drive on a daily basis, so when it goes down it can really interrupt a workflow. Today around 11am Google Drive had a hiccup which caused the service to either stop working or slow down significantly for a lot of users.

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Google’s Drive File Stream client for enterprise G Suite customers launching today

Abner Li Sep 6 2017 - 1:06 pm PT

Launched in July, Backup and Sync is Google’s consumer sync client aimed mostly at regular consumers, replacing Google Drive for Mac/PC. At the same time, Google also developed a client that was especially suited for enterprise needs. After months of testing, the specialized Drive File Stream app is now launching.

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Piracy on Drive & YouTube popular as ever w/ more than 4,700 DMCA complaints last month

Ben Schoon Sep 5 2017 - 10:26 am PT

Google Drive

Torrent sites around the world are being threatened, especially over the past year, with being shut down or hidden from the public eye. With that ongoing, many pirates have been on the hunt for an alternative way to distribute content, and Google Drive has quietly become a hotspot for this activity…

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Setting up Google’s new Backup and Sync desktop tool [Video]

Jul 18 2017 - 4:35 pm PT

Google Drive has had a desktop syncing tool for years on both Mac and Windows, but up until recently, syncing Google Photos across devices had been a more difficult task. With the release of the new Backup and Sync tool, however, it’s become easy to sync files of all kinds from Google’s cloud services to a computer.

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Combined Google Drive and Photos ‘Backup and Sync’ app now available for Mac, Windows

Abner Li Jul 12 2017 - 12:07 pm PT

After a delay late last month, Google’s Backup and Sync desktop app for Mac and Windows is now available for download. With this revamped client, only one application is needed to back up files on a desktop to Google Photos and Drive.

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Google Forms becomes more powerful w/ new Intelligent response validation, ‘Checkbox grid’ questions, more

Justin Duino Jul 10 2017 - 11:12 am PT

When creating a survey, users need a tool or service that provides the ability to collect specific types of data. An update coming to Google Forms will soon make the web applet even more compelling for those looking to create their own online surveys…

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Google Drive

Google Drive’s new ‘Backup and Sync’ tool was quietly delayed w/ no firm release date

Ben Schoon Jul 2 2017 - 1:31 pm PT

Google announced a new tool for Google Drive users a few weeks ago called “Backup and Sync.” The new tool, set to replace Google Drive’s current desktop uploader was set to release last week, but the company quietly pushed that back with an update to its original post.

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New ‘Backup and Sync’ app for Mac/PC will replace Google Drive’s desktop uploader

Abner Li Jun 14 2017 - 10:43 am PT

Google currently has separate desktop clients to back up files and images to Drive and Photos, respectively. With the upcoming Backup and Sync from Google for Mac/PC, the company is replacing the Drive client with a new app that features better integration.

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Google Sheets adds automatic charts, Docs & Slides sync, improved shortcuts and more

Ben Schoon Jun 1 2017 - 10:00 am PT

Google Drive is full of powerful tools, and Sheets is one that many rely on as an alternative to Microsoft Excel. Today, Google is debuting several new features for Sheets that are bound to become incredibly useful to its users.

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Numbers from I/O 2017: 2 billion Android devices, 800 million+ Drive users, 500 million+ Photos users, etc

Ben Schoon May 17 2017 - 10:34 am PT

Today at Google I/O 2017, Sundar Pichai is kicking off the Keynote with updates on a bunch of Google’s products, and the new milestones related to those products are impressive to say the least. Take a look below, and we’ll keep updating things through the event.

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PSA: Widespread email phishing scam claims to be a Google Docs invite

Abner Li May 3 2017 - 1:29 pm PT

A number of users today have received a phishing email claiming to be an invite for Google Docs. This scam is particularly nefarious as it comes from a known contact who’s had their account hijacked, with the app attempting to send more phishing emails using your account.

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Google announces Team Drives & Drive File Stream for enterprise + AppBridge acquisition

Jordan Kahn Mar 9 2017 - 11:32 am PT

Today as part of its Google Cloud Next ‘17 announcements, Google unveiled its latest Google Drive enhancements for enterprise customers, as well as announcing an acquisition of AppBridge.

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Google ‘In Apps’ search on Android will now include results for Drive files

Abner Li Feb 23 2017 - 12:50 pm PT

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The Google app’s on-device search functionality was upgraded last year to allow third-party apps to display content snippets right in results. Google Drive is the latest app to take advantage of this functionality with files now searchable from ‘In Apps.’

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PSA: It’s now easier to make a Google Doc from a template via Google Drive

Stephen Hall Jan 30 2017 - 1:51 pm PT

You’ve long been able to quickly create a Google Doc from within Google Drive, but if your intention was to create a Google Doc from one of Google’s many readily-available templates, that required a few more annoying clicks. Now, Google is adding a button to Google Drive that lets you hope right on over to the template selection page to save you some time…

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Google Calendar adds smart suggestions on the web, legacy Drive apps deprecated in April

Abner Li Jan 19 2017 - 1:31 pm PT

Google Calendar on the web is getting a number of updates that bring it to feature parity with mobile, while legacy versions of Drive apps for Android and iOS will be shut down in April.

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Google Drive

Yes, Google Drive is experiencing some issues right now [Updated]

Stephen Hall Jan 17 2017 - 9:24 am PT

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Update: All is well now. Here’s the current status on the G Suite App Status Page:

The problem with Google Drive should be resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and continued support. Please rest assured that system reliability is a top priority at Google, and we are making continuous improvements to make our systems better.

If you’re currently aggravated at files or pages not loading in Google Drive, it’s not just you: Google Drive is experiencing some downtime this morning.

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Google Drive apps on Android gain EPUB and ODF support, Page setup in Docs

Abner Li Jan 5 2017 - 8:40 am PT

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While powerful, the Google Drive mobile apps have long lacked a few features found on the desktop site. With the first updates of the year, Docs, Sheets, and Slides for Android add Page setup, image improvements, and EPUB and ODF support.

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Google Drive adds discounted, annual subscriptions for 100GB and 1TB of storage

Abner Li Dec 21 2016 - 10:53 am PT

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With Google Drive subscriptions being processed and managed in Google Play, the cloud storage service is now adding an annual subscription option for its lowest tier plans. As a result, the 100GB and 1TB options also see a nice discount for those who prepay annually.

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Google Drive subscriptions will be processed & managed in Google Play starting in January

Abner Li Dec 15 2016 - 12:54 pm PT

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While most people suffice with the free 15GB of storage that each Google Account provides, many others do pay for more. Starting in January for existing subscribers and already live for new purchases, Google Drive will be using Google Play to process subscription payments.

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