googledrive
Latest
Google Drive creates a shortcut for iOS to Android migrations
If you're switching from iOS to Android, Google Drive might be able to help you out: its latest feature gives it the powers to back up your calendar events, contacts, photos and videos. It probably doesn't sound that useful if you regularly use GCal for your schedule or Google Photos to store your images. But if you don't, then Drive ensures you don't have to manually transfer your data -- all you have to do is start the backup process within the settings page.
Plex can pull media from Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive
Plex has added support for Google Drive, OneDrive and DropBox to its Plex Cloud service. The original idea with the service, which debuted in beta this September, was to void the need for a dedicated media server or network attached storage (NAS) drives. That way, assuming you have a decently fast internet connection, you can stream your movies or songs wherever you are via files that are parked securely in the cloud.
Google makes Docs, Drive and Calendar more productive
If you spend your work days toiling in Google's productivity apps, the first thing you might notice today is that Google for Work is now called "G Suite". Once you get past the new label, you might also notice a slew of smart updates across the board that ought to save you time and keep your workflow moving.
Google brings natural language search to Drive
Starting today, Google Drive features Natural Language Processing to make it even easier to find that buried spreadsheet or long-lost docs. Taking a page from its Google Assistant playbook, the search box in Drive now allows for easy, human-oriented search queries like "find my budget spreadsheet from last December" or "show me presentations from Anissa."
Outlook on the web can import GDrive files and Facebook photos
Microsoft is showing its Outlook.com users some love by adding both Facebook and Google Drive integration. If you use Outlook on iOS or Android, you probably already know that you can link it with your GDrive account. Now that the feature's finally available for the service's web version, you can open file attachments and even edit the document right within its interface. All you need to do is click on the attachment icon and type in your Google log-in. The process is pretty much the same if you want to email your Facebook photos.
Google Drive for Android now creates file and folder shortcuts
Google's latest Drive update makes it easy to access your favorite files on Android. It adds the ability to add file and folder shortcuts to your homescreen, so you don't need to launch the app every time there's something in there you want to open. You can do that by going to your device's Shortcuts menu and choosing Drive shortcuts, which could be next to the Drive scan and toolbar options. That might sound minor, but it could help you become more productive if you use the app as your primary cloud storage.
The best tech for college freshmen
Starting college is expensive. In addition to, you know, the tuition, you and the parentals will probably be making a large shopping trip to buy all manner of sweaters, snacks and extra-long twin sheets to round out your dorm room. And that's not counting all the gear you'll need to actually get work done. In addition to a few laptop recommendations (the XPS 13 is our reigning favorite), we have suggestions on things like cloud storage, backpacks and peripherals like travel mice and backup batteries. Check out the gallery below for all our first-year picks (think of it as a college starter kit), and be sure to read the rest of Engadget's back-to-school guide here.
Chrome OS is getting a much-needed storage manager
With Android tablet apps coming to Chromebooks, the very basic storage management in Chrome OS is going to be an issue. You can get your total free space via the Files App, but that doesn't give you any info about how it's being used. It can also break things down file-by-file, but that can be too much info for many folks. Luckily, Google is about to unveil a storage manager for Chromebooks that gives you just the right amount of info at a glance, according to insider François Beaufort.
Evernote adds image previews and search for Google Drive files
For many, Evernote is a useful productivity tool for notes, lists and more. Today, the company announced integration with Google Drive that allows you to drop in files instead of simply linking to them. As part of the new feature, those Drive files will show up as linked thumbnails and any images will display a preview. What's more, you can search Drive from Evernote and any changes made to documents or other files that are stored in the cloud will sync to your notes as well.
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 saves individual Slides, Docs or Sheets offline
Google introduced offline access to Sheets, Docs and Slides for Drive back in 2013, but once you select the option, it stores a large chunk of files on your device. Starting today, however, an update to Drive lets you select individual documents to save offline. To use the new option, go to the home screen for either Docs, Sheets or Slides, select the overflow menu for the file you want to make offline (the three dots) and toggle the "available offline" switch to "on." Bear in mind that it only works in the Chrome browser on the desktop for now.
Drop Google Drive files and GIFs into your Yahoo emails
Yahoo's been busy bulking up its Mail app and its latest feature follows their strategy to play nice with other email and service providers. Now you can include files from Google Drive and even drop in Tumblr GIFs.
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.
Google Docs lets you limit access with an expiration date
In business, many people collaborate with clients, contractors and other small companies for a short length of time. You might want to give them access to some of your documents -- a list of your team's contact details, for instance -- and then revoke access once the job has been wrapped up. Well, Google is now starting to offer that feature to Google Apps customers that use Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides. So when you share a file with someone, you'll also get the option to set an expiry date. Handy.
It's now a little easier to organize your horribly messy Google Drive
It's been a while since Google officially launched Drive, its answer to OneDrive, Dropbox and the like. And if you're anything like me, your virtual Drive is getting a bit unruly and disorganized, just like back in the day when stored files directly on our computers (how quaint!). As such, Google has periodically introduced new tools to make organizing and finding your Drive files a little easier, and they're releasing a new batch today.
Google Drive sends you phone alerts for shared files
Google is updating Drive with new features, which are especially useful to employees and students that tend to work in teams. You'll now get instant mobile mobile alerts, for instance, whenever someone shares a file or a folder with you. To check out what a team member sent, just tap the notification to take you there. In case someone sends you a link to a file you don't have access to, you don't have to call him up anymore: you can request access with a single click through the Android app, which he'll immediately get as a notification on an iOS or an Android device. Finally, if you're teamed up with someone who refuses to sign up for a Google account despite using an Android phone, don't worry -- he'll now be able to view any file you send, as well. Some of these Drive features may not be available right at this moment, but The Big G says you'll be able to take advantage of them in the near future.
DoubleTwist's CloudPlayer can stream to Android Wear and Auto
DoubleTwist's CloudPlayer can already pull and stream media from Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive accounts, but now it works on AllPlay speakers, Android smartwatches and Auto. Yep, you'll be able to stream your tunes in your car, on your wrist and in your home or office... depending on where you store your non-smartphone Android hardware. With AllPlay support it also means you can now use CloudPlayer on Chromecast Audio, Apple TV or an AllPlay speaker. These are all great reasons to give doubleTwist's media player a shot -- unless you're already busy with one of the (many) other options available.
WhatsApp for Android will use Google Drive to back up your data
The more we rely on our smartphones for every facet of our lives, the more risk there is of losing important data if your phone gets lost, stolen or destroyed. Android already has some backup services built in, but the massively popular chat client WhatsApp has just announced a partnership with Google to make sure its 900 million users don't lose anything important to them. Starting today, WhatsApp users on Android will have the option to back up their entire WhatsApp history right to Google Drive. The backup will include chat histories, voice messages, photos and video, and you'll be able to restore all of that data to a new phone when you set up WhatsApp.
Google Drive web viewer can open files using compatible apps
You can easily launch files within applications on your PC or Mac from the Google Drive folder, but now you can do so straight from the cloud service's web viewer. If you have the viewer loaded on your browser, right click on a file to preview it, then access the "Open With" drop-down menu to see the list of apps you can use. Or, you can just click "Open" to launch the file through the default app associated with it -- PDFs, for instance, can instantly fire up Adobe Reader, while photos can open Preview, Photoshop and any other image editor. You need to make sure the GDrive installed on your computer is the latest version (v. 1.23+), and you need to sync your files. Once that's done, you'll be able to access your Drive's contents more quickly.
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.
