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Google Drive will soon back up any file or folder on your computer
If you use a cloud storage app on your PC, there's a good chance you use it as much for backing up your system as you do for accessing files on different devices. And Google knows it. The internet giant is reinventing its Drive desktop app as Backup and Sync, a tool that... well, just look at the name. While it largely accomplishes the same tasks, it's now focused more on safeguarding your data, regardless of where it's stored on your computer. That includes pictures, too -- the updated software integrates the Google Photos desktop app, so you only need one app to sync it all. The only real limitation is the amount of Drive space you have... that 15GB free tier might not cut it.
Google refines Drive for large businesses
Google today unveiled a suite of new tools designed to help big businesses communicate and coordinate in Drive. The first improvement is Drive File Stream, which allows users to access their entire Drive without going through the file-syncing process. It essentially creates an "intelligent cache" of all the data, Google Cloud VP of apps Prabhakar Raghavan tells VentureBeat.
Garmin's watch-app store finally gets Uber and a few other big names
Garmin already offers a bunch of cycling computers and fitness wearables like the Forerunner series and newly updated Fenix line, which can help guide you through your workout with minimal trauma. That said, the smartwatches in particular have yet to find much love beyond their original niche use as fitness-first wearables. The company hopes to change that at this year's CES by announcing the release of a number of third-party apps from big-name players including Uber and Trek. But is that enough to catch the industry-leading Apple Watch and all those Android Wear watches?
Garmin's newest 'Drive' navigation systems focus on road safety
Whether you're on the open road or just trying to make it to work in one piece, getting where you're going is hassle enough -- even when there isn't traffic to be stuck in. Garmin's latest iterations of its Drive GPS navigation systems will soon be receiving a host of features that will deliver live updates and easier-to-follow directions in hopes of changing driver behaviors for the safer.
Behind the wheel of GM's 238-mile range electric car
Chevy's new Bolt shows up in San Francisco's SOMA district at the height of rush hour. It comes around the corner evading cars, buses and wandering Giants fans on their way to the game a few blocks away. It's urban chaos and it's the exact environment the long-range EV will encounter when new customers drive it out of showrooms sometime before the end of the year.
Gmail on Android is ready for your Exchange account
Gmail threw the doors open when it added support for non-Google email accounts, but there was one glaring omission: you couldn't get Microsoft Exchange support on all devices. Not consistently, anyway. What if you want to get your work email without turning to another app? Relax. Google is trotting out an update to Gmail for Android that supports Exchange on all devices, so your corporate reports can live in the same app as your personal messages. The update isn't available for everyone right away, so be patient if you're eager to move your correspondence.
Google Drive for Android gets a file editing shortcut
Many people adopt Google Drive because they're already invested in the company's other products, like Docs and Photos. They all play nice with one another, however on Android the Drive app is mostly a management tool -- to do some actual editing, you often need to open another app. To make your life a little easier, Google has added an editor shortcut to file previews. Just open a document or photo in Drive, tap the blue button and you can jump directly into another editing app installed on your phone.
Gmail gets visual cues to alert you to suspect emails
Google is making an annual event out of Safer Internet Day, offering tools and incentives to help keep its users safe. Today, Mountain View is adding a couple of visual cues to Gmail to alert you to potential email risks. First, you'll notice a broken red lock icon in the corner of the compose window when responding to a source that's not encrypted. Clicking the icon will remind you to double check before passing along sensitive info. Second, if you receive and email from an unauthenticated sender, the profile image will be replaced by a question mark. Of course, not all messages that Gmail flags will be malicious, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.
LaCie's latest hard drives offer extra space via USB-C
As USB-C arrives on more machines, accessory makers will need to update their products accordingly. That's just what LaCIe has done for CES with its latest Porsche Design Desktop and Mobile hard drives. The aluminum-wrapped storage units now offer USB Type-C connections to your laptop or desktop. What's more, you can still charge your laptop while you're transferring files, so long as the drive is plugged in. If you haven't yet splurged for a new machine with the latest ports, there's a USB 3.0 adapter included with each of the hard drives. In March, the Porsche Design Mobile Drive will be available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB models starting at $110 and the Desktop Drive will be offered in 4TB, 5TB and 8TB options from $210.
Garmin bike headset warns about traffic behind you
There are already bike-friendly smart headsets that will tell you how you're doing, but they won't usually say much about traffic. How are you supposed to know when a car is getting uncomfortably close? That's where Garmin thinks it can help. As part of a larger CES launch, it's unveiling a Varia Vision headset that not only gives you vital cycling data (directions, notifications and performance) but also teams up with the Varia Rearview Radar to warn about traffic behind you. In other words, you'll know about trouble right away, without losing focus. It won't be cheap when it ships this quarter for $400, but it could be justifiable if you regularly bike on busy streets.
Google Drive syncs files directly from Windows Office apps
Google already added tools that help Drive play nice with Office files, and now it's offering easy access from inside Microsoft's apps. With a new plug-in, you can open files for Word, Excel and PowerPoint from Drive. When the time comes, you'll be able to save them in Google's cloud-based repository, too. It seems simple enough to use, and it's sure to come in handy for folks who prefer Google's storage option over Microsoft's, but still use Office to get work done. For now, the add-on works for Office on Windows machines, and there isn't any mention of when or if we can expect the same tool to arrive for the productivity suite for Mac.
Google Drive can stop others from grabbing your files
Google Drive is built around collaboration. And that's great! However, you probably don't want to give collaborators unfettered access to everything -- what if someone makes off with a sensitive report? Thankfully, you can put your foot down as of today. Google has added rights management to Drive that, if you like, prevents others from copying, downloading or printing specific files. You only need to mark a checkbox to prevent coworkers and friends from sharing your work with others. The feature is gradually rolling out now on the web. There's no word on whether or not it'll reach phones, so don't count on locking down your files while you're on the road.
Google parks its map-making tool inside Drive for easy access
To make things easily accessible, Google is nesting its My Maps feature in Drive. This means that in addition to creating custom maps for whatever need may arise, you can also nestle them alongside documents or forms created with the productivity suite's other apps. Drive's cloud storage abilities also make it simple to store and share those custom maps in a place that you'll know exactly where to find them. Even if you can't remember, Drive's search box can lend a hand. My Maps has been around for a bit, but it hasn't nearly as easy to find. Now, it's accessible from the red New button in Drive, situated in the extend menu under the core apps. As Google notes, it's incredibly useful for building a guide for multiple colleagues attending the same conference or keeping a few different hiking trails organized. And perhaps best of all, it'll pull data from a Sheet, Document or Form to save you from all of that extra typing.
Google Drive will soon back up your phone's photos
Now that Google+ is splitting up into individual services, where will you go to back up your phone's picture library? To Google Drive, apparently. Android Police has discovered that the latest version of the cloud storage app on Android has preliminary code for an eventual photo backup feature that would behave much like Google+ or the standard Photos app. You'll have an easier time sharing your files on the big screen, too -- there are hidden mentions of Chromecast streaming support. These features may not go live in the next release (Google sometimes leaves pre-release code hanging around for a while), but they're likely coming sooner rather than later.
Google Calendar for Android lets you link files to events
Want to make sure everyone at your next shindig has a copy of the itinerary? You'll probably want to snag the updated version of Google Calendar for Android, then. The refreshed app lets you associate Google Drive files with events -- you don't have to send that big presentation in a separate message to make sure everyone gets it. There are a few other welcome (and arguably overdue) upgrades in store, such as a 7-day week view, pinch-to-zoom navigation and the option of importing the .ICS calendar files that you frequently get through email. The Calendar upgrade might take a few days to hit your device, but it should be worthwhile if you're determined to organize your life.
Earn 2GB of Google Drive space for checking your security settings
To properly celebrate Safer Internet Day, Google is offering a a nice perk for users who complete a quick security checkup. If you're willing to make sure your account recovery info is up to date, review recent log-in activity and confirm the list of apps that access your account details, the folks in Mountain View will add 2GB to your total Drive space. You have to complete the quick process before February 17th, and the extra gigabytes will appear around the end of the month. The offer is only open to personal accounts, though, and while Google Apps for Work and Google Apps for Education users can't boost their space, it's probably not a bad idea to double-check those settings anyway.
Google makes a few changes to its Drive apps on iOS and Android
You know that thing where you try and get as much work done as you can before the end of the year? Tie up loose ends so that you can start the new year with a clean slate? That seems to be the mindset over at Google: After adding Office-file conversion in Gmail, the company has issued a handful of miscellaneous updates to its Drive apps for both iOS and Android. Basically, the sort of stuff they had probably been meaning to get around to for a while, but didn't until now. In any case, here's what's on tap. If you're an Android user, you'll find that you can now search for files from within the Google search app, even by using the "OK Google" voice command. Essentially, then, you can get to your files without actually having to open the Drive app first.
Google Drive now converts Office files inside Gmail
Google sprinkled in the ability to edit Microsoft Office files in Drive a while back, but the folks in Mountain View are always looking to help improve that workflow. When a colleague sends a non-Google file as an attachment, you're now able to convert those to Drive-friendly files right inside Gmail. Need to send back the proper .docx? No worries. Installing a Chrome extension enables you to edit the file without making the switch. What's more, over a dozen more Office formats have been added to the productivity feature.
Google gives students unlimited cloud storage
Google's invasion of our classrooms (and its war on paper) continues unabated. Back in August in the search giant released an online education tool for teachers who wanted to digitally manage their classes, and now it's launched an improved version of Google Drive that's free for folks toiling away in academia. The company's new Drive for Education is basically the same thing as its enterprise-based Drive for Work, which means you're looking at unlimited storage space (albeit with a 5TB file size limit) and access to Google Vault for message archiving.
AT&T's connected car tech now delivers weather, radio and parking help
If you're frustrated that many cars still don't have internet-savvy software built-in, take heart: AT&T just gave its Drive connected car platform a big boost with the addition of six big-name apps. Automakers who put Drive in their infotainment systems can now easily give you forecasts on the road through AccuWeather, as well as customized listening through iHeartRadio, Stitcher or Tribune's Newsbeat. You can also share your whereabouts through Glympse, and find that all-important parking spot using Streetline's Parker. You'll have to wait for manufacturers to roll these apps into their vehicles before you see the benefit, but don't be surprised if your next ride is that much smarter.
