Google Drive

333 'Google Drive' stories September 2011 - December 2016

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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 for iOS can backup your contacts, photos, and calendar events to make it easier to switch to Android

Ben Schoon Dec 13 2016 - 5:15 pm PT

Switching mobile platforms is a hassle, but Google really wants iOS users to give Android a shot ─ it even designed its flagship phone to attract iPhone fans. However, when someone does switch from an iPhone to an Android device, there’s still a lot of work to be done transferring your data, if you don’t already use Google services that is. Now, Google is making it even easier for iPhone users to switch with an update to Google Drive…

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Google Drive now allows users to manage Android device backups

Ben Schoon Dec 8 2016 - 8:53 am PT

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In recent versions of Android, Google’s built-in backup & restore functionality has been enhanced to take care of not only contacts and calendar data, but also a list of apps, app data, and even some device settings (such as launcher layout). This has made setting up new devices a breeze, but we’ve never been able to manage these backups or see what’s going on behind the scenes, at least not easily, until now.

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Google updates Docs, Sheets, & Slides with new features on iOS and Android

Chance Miller Nov 30 2016 - 2:37 pm PT

Google announced in a blog post today that it is rolling out a handful of new features to the mobile apps of its Docs, Sheets, and Slides. For iOS, there’s anew trash view, while Android users gain the ability insert GIFs with Google Docs.

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Google Drive on the web now supports natural language search and autocorrect

Abner Li Sep 20 2016 - 10:17 am PT

Search in Google Drive is getting a significant update today that adds autocorrect and Natural Language Processing search. NLP allows users to look for files in a more natural and informal manner, just like with “Ok Google” on mobile. Additionally, Docs is getting a new Columns feature and the ability to download converted documents in their original file format…

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Box will soon be a Google Docs storage option for enterprise, searchable via Springboard

Justin Duino Sep 7 2016 - 6:08 pm PT

Box, a large cloud-based file storage solution oft-used in enterprise applications, is partnering with Google to bring better Docs, Sheets, and Slides integration to customers who use both services. This agreement was announced today at the company’s annual enterprise conference, BoxWorks (via TechCrunch), by Box’s CEO Aaron Levie and Google’s SVP of Google’s cloud offerings Diane Greene…

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Google Drive now merges duplicate files, keeps older copy in revision history

Abner Li Sep 6 2016 - 8:47 am PT

Assumably knowing that a common way people use Google Drive is by downloading a file, editing it locally, and then re-uploading, Google has today announced a subtle but useful change to how duplicate files are handled. Files with the same name will now automatically be merged, with the older copy still viewable in revision history…

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Google Drive update allows you to add file & folder shortcuts to the homescreen

Abner Li Aug 23 2016 - 7:56 pm PT

Following a slight redesign of the Google Drive website last week, the Android client is getting a number of small updates like homescreen shortcuts and the ability to upgrade your storage plan through the app. Additionally, version 2.4.311 will be the last update for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich.

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Google Drive web app gets a slight revamp, now splits large folder downloads

Abner Li Aug 18 2016 - 12:24 pm PT

The Drive web app has received a slight revamp this morning that brings it in line with the Material Design of current Google sites. Additionally, Drive on the web is getting better downloads support, especially for large files and Google Forms.

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Third-party feature add-ons are now available in Google Docs and Sheets for Android

Abner Li Jul 28 2016 - 10:56 am PT

Back in 2014, Google introduced add-ons to Docs and Sheets that allowed third-party apps to build extra functionality into Drive. Add-ons are now coming to Google Drive on Android with several apps, like DocuSign and Scanbot, already updated with the new seamless integration. All third-party developers will likely be able to build their own integrations in the future.

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Google Admin app adds support for delegated admins as improved folder support comes to Drive

Chance Miller Jul 18 2016 - 8:40 pm PT

Google today announced a pair of minor updates for some of its services on the Google Apps Updates blog. Specifically, the new features affect the Google Admin app on Android, as well as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

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Chrome OS will finally get a storage manager in an upcoming update

Ben Schoon Jun 24 2016 - 7:13 pm PT

Chrome OS has always been pretty bare bones, but as an avid user and fan of the OS, even I have to admit it’s missing features it really shouldn’t be. With the limited storage available on most Chromebooks, you’d think a storage manager would be available, but you would be wrong. Thankfully, that will be changing very soon.

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WhatsApp is testing a quote feature in its Android app’s beta program

Edoardo Maggio Jun 10 2016 - 5:26 am PT

Messaging apps are among the most important — and indeed most used — by millions and millions of users every day, so it is only logical for them to implement new features as they evolve.

WhatsApp, despite being used by over a billion users, has remained a fairly simplistic chat app over the years, but things seem to be changing…

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Evernote announces Google Drive integration, available in beta for Chrome and Android

Abner Li May 12 2016 - 9:41 am PT

Some people heavily rely on Evernote to take notes and keep track of tasks. With a new Google Drive integration, Evernote users will be able to add Docs, Slides, and Sheets into notes and quickly search for files stored in their Drive.

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Google Drive will now send alert notifications on the web in Chrome

Abner Li Apr 25 2016 - 10:43 am PT

In the past, the primary way of interacting with Google Drive notifications was through email. It was only recently that Drive on Android and iOS begin sending alert notifications. Starting today, Google Drive will also send out notifications on the web in Chrome.

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Ability to download individual Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for offline editing now rolling out

Abner Li Apr 18 2016 - 6:17 pm PT

In 2013, Google Drive addressed one of the biggest advantages of Microsoft Office: offline access and editing. With this feature enabled, Docs, Slides, and Sheets effectively becomes a native application. An update starting today will allow users to select specific files to store and edit without an internet connection.

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Google Drive for Mac/PC update lets users choose what files to sync locally

Abner Li Apr 14 2016 - 1:58 pm PT

The Google Drive apps for Mac/PC are receiving a small update today that lets users choose what specific subfolders to sync locally, while an update to the Android app includes a slight tweak to the upload interface.

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Yahoo Mail app gets access to Google Drive, Dropbox, GIFs from Tumblr, & three home screen widgets

Jordan Kahn Apr 13 2016 - 12:21 pm PT

Yahoo Mail is getting a notable update today for Android (and other mobile app users) that allows access to files stored in Google Drive, Dropbox, and GIFs on Tumblr. You can use the new feature to quickly attach a photo or other file from any of the supported services to emails.
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Updated plugin allows users to browse and insert Drive files from Microsoft Outlook

Abner Li Apr 6 2016 - 9:59 am PT

Last July, Google created a plugin that allowed Office users to open documents stored in Google Drive and automatically sync back edits. Today, while these are features that have long been part of Gmail on the web and Android, an update to the Drive plugin for Outlook will allow users to insert Drive documents into emails, save incoming attachments, and have access to other features found in Gmail.

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Google Drive down for some users this morning, fix incoming

Jordan Kahn Apr 4 2016 - 10:09 am PT

Google Drive is experiencing down time for some users this morning, Google has confirmed on its app status page that tracks service disruptions and outages for the company’s various web services.

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Minor Google Drive for Android update now lets you edit files with just a tap

Abner Li Mar 21 2016 - 12:34 pm PT

An update rolling out to Google Drive for Android will allow you to more easily edit documents and images uploaded to Drive using edit apps like Google Photos and Google Docs. The update also adds more options to sort files.

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Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, & Slides will soon let you set expiration dates for document access

Jordan Kahn Mar 15 2016 - 11:01 am PT

Google is adding the ability to set expiration dates for access to documents across Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides apps. The idea is that you can limit a contributor’s access to a document for a specific time period, which Google points out will come in handy for companies and organizations that often share files with third-parties temporarily:

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Google Drive gets a simplified file menu and the ability to see trash on mobile

Abner Li Feb 18 2016 - 9:17 am PT

Recent updates to Google Drive added notification controls to the mobile apps and easier management of shared items. Its latest Android update, simplifies the cluttered file and folder menu, adds the ability to see deleted files on mobile, and more avatars.

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Google Drive adds ability to control sharing notifications on mobile

Abner Li Feb 11 2016 - 10:50 am PT

In the past, all sharing notifications involving Google Drive files were handled through email. However in November, Google added the ability for the Drive apps to send notifications. An update rolling out today finally adds settings to control these notifications from the mobile apps.

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Google posts reminders of the four ways to keep your Android device safe

Ben Lovejoy Feb 10 2016 - 5:12 am PT

A Google blog post reminds users of the four steps they can take to protect the security of their Android devices.

Online security is a critical piece of our everyday life. That’s why we build multiple lines of defense in Android to make the internet safer for over a billions users. Even with these layers of protection, it still doesn’t hurt to take a couple of extra precautions to be super safe.

The four steps are all ones we’d expect to be familiar to 9to5Google readers, but they could serve as useful pointers for less tech-savvy friends and family members …

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