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Google lures your workplace away from Office by covering app costs
Google really, really wants your company to jump from Microsoft Office to Docs. So much so, in fact, that it's willing to pay a lot to make sure that happens. It just launched a promo that will cover your firm's Docs costs so long as it's stuck in an enterprise agreement with someone else -- your workplace only starts paying when the old contract runs out. That's no small offer when Docs costs at least $50 per person per year, which could add up to tens of thousands of dollars at an outfit with hundreds of employees.
New Google Docs, Sheets and Slides features make schoolwork less miserable
Google is holding a "back-to-school" event today at its San Francisco office to introduce a set of new Google Docs tools specifically built with the classroom in mind -- though all Docs users will benefit from these changes. Some will only be appearing on Android, some will be in the desktop, and some will be hitting both, but regardless it should make life easier for Docs users. Google introduced six new features, including built-in Search for Docs on Android, voice typing, automatic chart creation for Sheets and more.
Microsoft's document sharing service, Docs, is available to everyone
Sure, you can technically use OneDrive and other cloud services to share your Office files, but wouldn't it be nice if there were a dedicated site for that? Apparently, Microsoft agrees -- it quietly launched the public beta for Docs, a dedicated website (this was previously a Facebook-only service) that simplifies sharing your Office files, PDFs and Sway presentations. Think of it as a parallel to offerings like SlideShare or Scribd, where the focus is more on preserving the formatting of your work than anything else. You can comment on and download documents, but you'll have to turn to other tools to collaborate on that upcoming report. You only need a Microsoft account to give Docs a spin, so it won't hurt to sign up.
Google updates Docs, Sheets, and Slides with new features and improved security
Google has released an updated versions of its Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps which allow users to manage the files within their Google Drive. On the security front all three apps now support Touch ID unlocking in iOS. Accessibility has been enhanced with support for VoiceOver to create, edit, and share files across the apps. In addition screen magnification has been improved when using iOS zoom in feature. None of that matters really if the apps don't help you with productivity, but these updates also bring a number of new features to working with Google's apps. Documents see addition of real-time spell-checking, which is a nice feature when typing on a tiny screen. Working within Sheets has gotten easier thanks to the ability to hide rows and columns within spreadsheets. Finally Slides has added grouping of shapes, allowing you to add, remove, and move images within a presentation from your iOS device. You can find Docs here, Sheets here, and Slides here, all from the iTunes Store.
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 drops Quickoffice now that its own apps can handle your work
Google bought Quickoffice to boost the productivity of its Apps suite, and it clearly accomplished that mission when it released a slew of mobile editing tools that merge Quickoffice's file tech with Google Drive. Accordingly, the search firm is pulling the plug on the earlier software; it's going to remove Quickoffice from both Apple's App Store and Google Play "in the coming weeks." You can still download it after that if you're an existing fan, but newcomers will have no choice but to use either Google's apps or their rough equivalents.
Google Drive for Work now offers unlimited storage for $10 per month, per user
You didn't think we'd go through the whole keynote without a little Google Drive love did you? To celebrate an impressive 190 million Drive users (that's active within the last 30 days), Google has just added a more compelling "Drive for Work" proposition -- unlimited storage for just $10 per month, per user. It's not just the price that's better; there are a few key updates that got some stage time too. One is that users can now encrypt data within Drive. As for creating documents of your own, that's getting more seamless too. In the past, when you worked on a Word document, it would be converted to a Docs file; now it's all handled natively within Google Drive (of which Docs is now part, of course), and a native Word file is only created as and when you need to send it on to users over email, etc. Google even had a "one more thing" moment of its own after the address proper wrapped up -- it confirmed on its Google Drive G+ page that Docs, Sheets and Slides would soon get a makeover to look more like their mobile counterparts. Sundar Pichai made a big noise on stage at I/O about the number of corporations and universities that were going "all Google." Could this be enough for you to go all green in the office, too?
You can now crop and add borders to images in Google Docs
You'll have to download the standalone apps to get to work on mobile devices, but you can now crop, rotate and add borders to images inside Google Docs. The same handy modification tools that have been available in Slides now make their debut in Mountain View's word processor. Gone are the days of firing up a separate app to crop those snapshots down size before properly illustrating your thesis. If you're in need of a step-by-step breakdown, Google provided one right here.
Google Drive for Android to lose document editing, prompt downloads of Docs and Sheets apps
Looks like the new Docs and Sheets apps were harbingers of changes for Google Drive's Android app. The good folks at Android Police parsed Drive's new, currently unreleased version and discovered that it no longer has document or sheet editing capabilities. Should you try to make changes, the app prompts you to download the appropriate app to do so. Choose not to download and attempt to open a file, and you'll be greeted by a view-only mode. While users may be a bit miffed at being force-fed a pair of new apps, it may prove beneficial. Separating the doc editing and cloud storage components will (presumably) let Google streamline the experience for each and give you option to download only the apps you need.
Google releasing standalone mobile apps for editing docs, spreadsheets and presentations
Google's long had a Drive app for both Android and iOS, but who knows, maybe you just can't handle that many features in one program. If for some reason you're the kind of person who only wants to edit documents and never see another spreadsheet again (not that we blame you), Google just released standalone Drive apps for Android and iOS, each with offline support built in. These include Docs and Sheets to start; a Slides app for presentations is coming too, but hasn't been released yet. If all you want is a text editor or spreadsheet repository, though, you'll find the appropriate download links below.
Dropbox bolsters Carousel, eyes collaborative docs with startup purchases
Dropbox just debuted its Carousel photo management app last week, and it's already making strides to boost the software's storage chops. Today, the cloud-minded outfit acquired Loom: a photo storage service that became a popular alternative to Everpix and Apple's iCloud Photo Stream. The snapshot organizer provides users with the ability to automatically upload images from multiple sources (or folders) to a single repository, accessible from both mobile devices and a desktop browser. Of course, it synced over cellular and not just WiFi as well. Loom allows better organization and sharing than the first iteration of Carousel does, too. Dropbox's increased emphasis on captured imagery is already quite clear, but the company has other plans too.
Google Docs gets a subtle facelift, shifts the focus to content
You can't say that the Google Drive crew isn't looking out for you. Following the transition of QuickOffice for Android and iOS into a freebie, the team is now blessing Google Docs with a slightly more attractive interface. First and foremost, you'll now find a familiar, colorful product icon in the upper left part of the web app, which links back to Drive. This refinement applies to Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms and Apps Script, and it could very well help users of another office suite feel more at home. Additionally, the headers within each of the editors are now more compressed, which Google hopes will allow users to focus more easily on their content. Naturally, these aren't the most dramatic visual changes, but then again, do you really want a card-based UI for your document editor?
Box Notes takes on Google Docs with collaborative editing, available in beta now (video)
Box users who have been using other services to compose notes and collaborate on documents can now do so from inside the app, thanks to a Box Notes. The Google Docs-esque feature set allows for real-time, collaborative document editing, with the ability to embed images and video clips. Through a simple (even sparse) UI, team members can edit a file simultaneously while adding notes to specific items, as well as comments via a side pane (similar to Word and Docs). Additionally, Box says these new features will make their way to mobile devices. Unfortunately, though, The Next Web reports that Box Notes won't see a full release until sometime in 2014, and there's no word on pricing yet either. Still, those looking to jump on the beta can sign up via the source link below.
Google Drive updates Docs and Slides with integrated search
It's hardly worthy of any presses being halted, but those interested in minor Google Drive updates should take notice. Google has just updated Docs and Slides to let users select text, click on said text, and have Google search results pop up in addition to users' own Drive documents. The point? Easy hyperlinking for related websites, which ought to be a boon for budding students or digital bookworms who prefer to annotate just about everything. As Google puts it: "Starting today, the link tool now offers you suggestions based on the text you are hyperlinking just in case you don't have the URL you need offhand. To try it out, select the text you want and click the "Insert link" icon from the menu bar (or use Ctrl K)."
Google Slides gets offline editing, begins rolling out today
Google made Docs available for offline editing this past summer and now it's extending the capability to Slides. In a rollout slated to begin today, users of the web-based app (formerly known as presentations for Docs) will be able to edit, comment and control r/w privileges on Drive-hosted slides without being tethered to the internet -- those tweaks will simply auto-upload the next time a connection is established. You'll need to be currently enrolled in offline editing for Docs to take advantage of this new feature, as it's not enabled by default. But if not, don't stress, Google's included detailed instructions in the source below. So, what's next in line for offline editing? Oh, that'd be Google Sheets.
Google Drive apps reach the Chrome Web Store and Chrome OS for quicker web work
It's a long overdue match, really -- if the Google Drive productivity suite is considered the centerpiece of Google's web app catalog, and the Chrome Web Store is the catalog, why weren't the two combined? Google has seen the light by turning Docs (text), Sheets (spreadsheets) and Slides (presentations) into neatly packaged web apps that can be installed through the Chrome browser. New Chromebook owners won't even have to go that far, as the trio will surface automatically in the Chrome OS app list over the next few weeks. The web app bundles might be simple, but they could be tremendous helps for anyone who wants to punch out a few quick edits while on the road.
Dropbox teams up with Facebook to let folks share stuff within Groups
You never really know what to expect when two of the bigger names in tech join forces and announce something fresh. In some cases you may see an end result of things like that RAZR i, but when Dropbox and Facebook are involved, you can surely bet it has to do with sharing something with your pals -- and such is the case today. Dropbox announced earlier that it's now allowing folks to share files with their friends inside Facebook Groups, giving users the ability to instantly post anything from notes to videos with a couple of simple clicks. Of course, those on the other side will be able to like what you share, leave comments, as well as be updated automatically as soon as an edit has been made. At the moment, not everyone's seeing the changes just yet, though Dropbox has said it shouldn't be too long before most people can spot the new feature.
Google gently tweaks offline experience for Docs, rolling out to Drive users now
You asked for it (probably), and Google delivered (definitely). Once you've enabled Docs offline within Google Drive -- you have, right? -- you'll be able to both create and edit Google documents and view Google spreadsheets sans a live internet connection. But now, Google's massaging the interface in order to automatically filter only offline docs while you're disconnected. Furthermore, those who'd like to preview which files are available offline while still online, you can tap More -> Offline Docs in the left navigation pane. Google's saying that it'll roll out to "all Drive users over the next few days," so hopefully your data plan will last you till then.
Google announces offline editing for Docs, available later today
We're live at day two of I/O and the theme of this keynote is all about "Going Google." With this focus on Mountain View's various cloud-based apps, Clay Bavar, Director of Product Management for Google Apps, announced that Docs will now work offline for editing. In the onstage demo, Bavar was able to log into several devices, including a Nexus phone and tablet, to interact and collaborate in real-time on a document. Thanks to the smooth syncing at work, edits made from each device showed up as they were being entered, keystroke-by-keystroke. Now, those edits can also be created without a working internet connection and synced up later. You won't have to wait long, either, to take this offline mode for a test spin, as the feature will be enabled later in the day, with that functionality "coming soon" for presentations and spreadsheets. Check out the official PR after the break. Check out our full coverage of Google I/O 2012's developer conference at our event hub!
Google springs for .lol, .youtube domains, we wonder if it's going TLD .crazy
Google just can't wait until ICANN reveals custom domain name bids in mid-June to say what it's trying to buy -- and it's clear that Mountain View went on a shopping spree. Some of the top-level domains in the land grab are ones you'd expect safeguarding Google's prized possessions, such as .google, .youtube and .docs. Others make us fear for the future of Internet memes. Google claims that it's bidding for TLDs such as .lol to explore their "interesting and creative potential,' but we have a hunch it's just taking the addition of LOL to the dictionary a little too seriously. The company does assuage our fears with a promise to prevent TLD abuse. If we ever see omgwtf.lol become a reality, though, we'll know Google has gone off the .deepend.
