Google introduces new replacement for Google Drive’s desktop app

Google is making it easier for Drive users on the desktop to backup files on its platform. The company is set to introduce a replacement tool called Backup and Sync. It combines the Google Drive and Google Photos Backup app into a unified client interface. It can monitor and backup the files and photos inside any folder that you specify, including your desktop, Documents/Pictures folder, etc. We don’t know yet what you can do with the app but Mac Rumors reports that the new tool will respect any current folder settings you have on your device to make the change seamless.

Backup and Sync is recommended for consumer users and is set to come out on June 28^th. Meanwhile, Google tells its business customers to continue using Google Drive for now and wait for the release of Drive File Stream, an enterprise-focused solution, later this year.

Android users can search for Google Drive files in Search

It’ll now be easier for Android users to look for Google Drive files on their mobile devices. All you need to do is type the file in the Search bar, head over to the ‘In Apps’ tab, and the files should show up there.  There is no word if the feature is coming to iOS or the web but we should hear about it if it does land there. We’re hoping Google updates it without the need of heading over to the In Apps tab.

Source: The Next Web

Google Drive lets you selectively sync subfolders

Google Drive's latest update might be considered a small one but it introduces a useful feature. You can now sync subfolders on Windows and Mac. Previously, you could only do so with top-level folders (e.g. music folder) but not with the folders within these. This gives you greater control over how much data your Google Drive files take up on your computer or how much stays on Google's servers. 

Another new feature is if you delete a folder that has shared files, it'll cut off access to other users. You'll be warned by the app if this happens and allows you to undo the action.

Source: Android Police

Google Drive improves search feature

It’s now much easier to look for the files you need on Google Drive. The new search feature of the cloud service lets you use things like words within files, file types, name of its owner, date modified, and whom files have been shared with. The feature is coming to Android, iOS, and the Web. On iOS, it even allows for deep linking, meaning you can even do the search right from the iOS search bar. Google is rolling this out over the next few weeks so just been on the lookout for the update.

Source: Google Drive Blog | Via: The Next Web