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Google will stop syncing files between Drive and Photos
Google is changing how Drive and Photos share your videos and photos with each other, in a move that might actually cause more problems than it solves. From July 10th, when you upload files to Drive or Photos, they won't automatically sync to the other service. Likewise, when you delete a photo or video from Drive, it won't be removed from Photos and vice versa.
Google Drive 'Priority' AI monitors your team to surface the right files
Google's 'G Suite' of apps and services has been applying machine learning everywhere over the last couple of years, and the latest update it's testing for Google Drive goes a bit further. Two years ago it launched the machine learning-enhanced Quick Access feature to put files it thinks users need right in front of them before they even start searching. Google said users have reported that feature saves about 50 percent of their time.
Plex is shutting down its personal cloud streaming service
Media streaming service Plex is shutting down its cloud service at the end of November. The company is making the move because of technical issues and cost concerns. Once support ends, you'll have to stream media from your own server, computer or Network Attached Storage to your connected devices instead of your favored cloud storage service.
WhatsApp chats backed up to Google Drive lose encryption
Starting November 12th, WhatsApp users on Android will be able to back up their chats and messages to Google Drive without it counting against their storage quota. There's a catch, however. WhatsApp warns that if you back up your chats, media and messages to the external service, they will no longer be protected by WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption. If you're already using the backup feature, this applies to your currently uploaded backups.
Google Drive's expanded One plans are available to anyone in the US
You no longer have to be a paying Google Drive personal customer to use the expanded One plans. As of today, Google One is available to anyone in the US willing to pay for cloud storage. As before, it's about considerably more than offering more storage for the money. You now have access to a $3 per month 200GB plan and a more accessible $10 per month 2TB plan, but the main allure for many could be family sharing. A total of six people can access the same storage under a single bill. If you'd rather not pay for separate accounts (or just want a shared account), One makes better financial sense.
Google video teases all-white look for Gmail and other apps
Google has been revamping its Material Design guidelines for internal and third-party products. We've already seen previews of how the look of Google's own products will change, from Android to Gmail to Chrome. A video just surfaced showing a glimpse of what those redesigns may end up looking like: Clean, all-white interfaces, according to Ars Technica.
Google's Course Kit injects Docs and Drive into educator software
Back in March, Apple held an entire education-focused event to introduce new tools like Schoolwork, which helps educators collaborate and keep track of student assignments through networks of iPads. Google isn't far behind: Its new Course Kit lets instructors use Google Docs and Drive collect student work, give feedback and share class materials, and it's available in 44 languages. And, of course, students won't have to use proprietary tablets to benefit.
Google Drive's new plans bring family sharing and more options
You probably haven't had a huge reason to upgrade from Google Drive's free 15GB service, but Google thinks it can sway you with the right incentives. It's launching a new set of plans, nicknamed Google One, that give you considerably more than extra capacity. There's now a family sharing option similar to services like iCloud, for starters -- up to six family members can share a plan, each with their own private storage areas. Google is promising better support as well, with "one-tap" access to experts for Drive and other services. Previously, you needed a G Suite business account to get that kind of live help.
Google redesigns Drive to look more like the new Gmail
Google has given Drive a surprise makeover with elements that make it look more like the new Gmail. The redesign doesn't come with new features, but when you get it, you'll notice that The Big G has changed the Drive interface background from gray to white for a cleaner look. Its boxes and icons now also have much rounded corners and look a bit taller than before, and Drive's logo now has a more prominent place on the top left corner of the interface. You'll also find that Google has shuffled Drive's icons around, with the Settings and Help Center icons now in the same line as the search bar.
Google Drive will help you figure out who needs access to a file
One of the tricky things about coordinating an email chain is always making sure everyone has access to the right files, but Google said it's making that easier in Drive. The next time you go to share a document or other file through email or a calendar invite its built-in access checker will be updated to show the names and email addresses of anyone you're including who doesn't already have permission to view it. Apparently it also "will anticipate who needs access to a file and intelligently default to sharing with those recipients only."
Google's Slack alternative is available starting today
It's been almost a year since Google first mentioned Hangouts Chat -- a totally redesigned messaging service that's more like Slack than the Hangouts most consumers know today. As of now, Hangouts Chat is out of its "early adopter" program and will be available to all G Suite users over the next week, assuming their company enables it, of course. To be clear, Hangouts Chat is a totally separate and distinct service from Hangouts proper, which still lives in your Google mail inbox. And while we'll forgive you for rolling your eyes at yet another chat service from Google (the number of different chat apps the company has built is legendary at this point), Hangouts Chat does offer something potentially valuable to companies using G Suite -- assuming they're not on Slack already.
Google Drive enables commenting on Microsoft Office files
It's not that hard to convert Microsoft Office files into G Suite docs, sheets or slides, so you and your teammates or clients can collaborate via Google Drive. But thing is, it's just so much easier if you don't have to. Now, Google has rolled out a feature that gives you the power to comment directly on Microsoft Office files, PDFs and images uploaded on Drive. You simply have to highlight the part you want to comment on in Preview mode (like what you'd do on a G Suite file), click the Comment icon that pops up and type what you want to say.
Google explains how all those Drive files got locked
On Halloween, some Google Docs users got a spooky surprise when they were locked out of their own documents for 'violating Google's terms of service.' The internet titan sent out a fix and a statement assuring Engadget that the lock-out was the result of faulty code that erroneously marked some documents as abusive. The company mentioned automatic digital security mechanisms that protect users from malware and phishing in their Docs and Drive systems -- and it seems those were falsely triggered by this code flaw.
Google Drive documents are now accessible in iOS 11's Files app
What good is the Apple Files app that came with iOS 11 anyway? Well, now that Google Drive plays nicely with it, the possibilities are... okay, they aren't endless, but you get the idea. Now that iOS has a central file library, it's nice that your items stored in the cloud are accessible there as well. Dropbox did something similar recently, too. It's nothing major, but folks who use Drive on their mobile devices a lot, or use an iPad as a PC replacement, will probably appreciate this quality of life improvement.
Google Drive on PC/Mac is dead, long live Backup and Sync
If you use Google Drive and/or Photos on PC and Mac, beware that both of those apps are being eliminated starting December 11th, 2017 and shut off completely in March of next year. Don't mourn their loss too much, though. Both have already been replaced by a single app called Google Backup and Sync, which handles both photos and data at once. Business and enterprise users, meanwhile, are being shuffled to Drive File Stream, which is now in wide release after a limited launch in March.
The best apps and streaming services for students
It's true that most of Engadget's back-to-school guide has comprised, well, gadgets, but as every nerd knows, a piece of hardware is only as good as the software it runs. That's why, to close out our guide, we wanted to highlight some apps and services worth downloading or subscribing to. On the media front, this is as good a time as any to see if you can survive in the adult world as a cord-cutter -- it's not like you're going to have a cable subscription in your dorm room, after all. If your parents are willing to share (or at least foot the bill), we recommend loading up on subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and HBO Now -- you'll want different programs from each at some point. If you're a gamer and own a PlayStation, Sony's PS Now service is also worth the extra bucks, while Xbox One owners might want to pony up for EA Access. Music lovers will enjoy either Apple Music or Spotify, but your choice will come down partially to the other devices you own. As for schoolwork (yes, that thing), Google Drive is our favorite cloud-storage service, while Evernote and Bear both rank highly against other note-taking apps. Adobe's Creative Cloud could be worth it (or even necessary), depending on your major. Oh, and if you're worried about the "freshman 15," try MyFitnessPal -- it's a free app many of Engadget's own editors use to keep their calorie intake in check.
Google Drive is ready to back up all the files on your PC
Google Drive just became more useful as a means of protecting those files you can't afford to lose. A few weeks later than promised, Google has released its Backup & Sync app for Macs and Windows PCs. As before, this is a simpler option for safeguarding your data in the cloud -- it merges the photo backup of the desktop Google Photos app with Drive functionality that lets you back up the folders of your choice. You don't have to wonder whether or not your pictures will survive a system crash as well as your must-have documents. The app is free, although you'll need a lot of Google Drive space if you're determined to upload more than a modest amount of content.
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.
Google is putting legacy Drive apps out to pasture
Google will completely shut down the older versions of Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides for both Android and iOS on April 3rd. People don't even have that long until they can no longer use them, though: starting on March 1st, users will get prompts forcing them to upgrade if they want to continue using the applications. Since the big G is phasing out really old iterations of the apps, those who've updated recently don't have anything to worry about. However, folks who've been holding off on upgrading due to hardware constraints -- lower-end Android devices, for instance, have smaller storage and tend to crash when they're too full -- have a decision to make.
