Tag Archives: Google +

Google Drive is finally out, offers 5GB free storage, Google Docs and more

April 24, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

Google’s much awaited online cloud storage service ‘Google Drive’ is finally out moments ago, after all rumors, leaks and news in the air we’ve got all the information on what Google has to offer us. Google Docs is integrated as part of the online service that allows users to share, collaborate and work on new or existing documents, spreadsheets, PDF’s and more within the framework. Data means portability and keeping the same in mind ‘Google Drive’ offers cross platform functionality over the Web, PC, Mac’s and Android. Big G is still working on an iOS application for the Google Drive, which is still in the pipeline. Google has also taken an initiative for people who are visually impaired by providing access via means of a Screen Reader.

Cloud Storage has already been a part for mobile and desktop users via leading providers like Evernote, DropBox, Box.net and others. Dropbox had introduced its link share feature to its app for all platforms earlier today, we also mentioned the innovation part that had to be in place for Google Drive to be a success. Searching for documents should no longer be a hassle as multiple search options include search via keywords, filter type, date, file type and much more. To make it even peppier Google has introduced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology integrated to its search mechanism that would allow text within images or scanned documents to be visible across search queries. The feature is still developing and is in its early stages that should get improved as the service evolves.

Google Drive starts initially with 5GB of free storage space for users. The premium paid variants start with 25GB at $2.49/month, 50GB at $4.99/month and massive 1TB at $49.99/month. To expect even more out of your paid storage, you get an upgraded Gmail account with 25GB storage upon subscription.

Google aims at integrating the cloud service seamlessly towards all its products and platforms. Google+ users can add photos directly to posts from their ‘Google Drive’ accounts. The feature would also be witnessed across Gmail to attach files, documents, and more straight from the web. The platform would soon be widespread with third-party developers already working in place to add new stuff.

Google Drive can also be added as an app for Google Chrome via its web store. We’ve got enough of news and things to experiment for today, do checkout this new service at http://drive.google.com/start/

Download Google Drive for Android, click the link below to begin download. If you have already tried the app, please share your view by dropping by a comment.

Download Google Drive for Android from the Google Play Store

(Requires Android 2.1 or higher)

Scan the QR Code or click the image to begin the download

via Google Blog

Google+

Google+ redesign adds simpler UI, bigger photos, easy hangouts and more

April 12, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

Google has introduced an all-new design for Google+ that involves a revamp for the navigation menu, photos and videos, activity feed and Google+ Hangouts. The rollover to the new UI showcases the excellent growth potential that Google+ has as a social network, which is getting even bigger with more users joining the pool of 170 million folks and counting.

The navigation bar moves from the top to the left, making the menu more useable with bigger icons and the option to reorganize, reorder or hide tabs that are not required. Design is one thing that decides the likeability and attraction of a user towards not only a social network, but also for any so called product.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxbs5uqEjc0[/youtube]

Key additions to the navigation menu include:

Reorganize or reorder apps and tabs in any way
Hover apps to view quick actions that you can perform
Hide apps by dragging them in or out of the “more” icon

The Google+ redesign is centered towards people making the network more personal allowing one to use stuff with simplicity and their own set of preferences. Now experience bigger photos and videos for your activity feed without the need to enlarge it. Under the feed you would also see a new box to your right called the “Activity Drawer” that shows what’s trending on G+, something like the “Trending” column for Twitter users.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Atj57r15U[/youtube]

For people who to love Hangout on a video chat get more options to experiment and have fun, a dedicated page for Google+ Hangouts in the navigation pane shows the Hangouts you can simply join in or watch an ongoing one. So for all you peeps who like to explore the world this one’s for you guys. The conversation scenario is now more creative not only from the means of a chat, but rather with options to collaborate, share, or play with the recent release of new third party apps for Google+ Hangouts. A pipeline feature that we await to arrive soon is “cards”, providing users with the ability to keep an eye on upcoming discussions and join them to cast their views. Seeing the ongoing change we’ve got lots of hopes from Google to make G+ grow at very fast pace.

Google+ profiles would get the upgrade to all new features in a few days. If your profile has already been upgraded, do checkout all the awesome stuff and do share your opinion on how did you find the new layout. To find an overview for the design rollover do check out this link.

via Google Official Blog

Android Apps

Google Play Store update 3.5.16 brings in bug fixes and more

April 6, 2012 Udit Malhotra 1 Comment

Google Play Store has been updated to version 3.5.16, the release is targeted to solve major issues with the store app on account of its past update, which was released to fix issues and eventually caused more problems than solutions. The update schedule would begin soon and will be pushed via OTA. For geeks and users facing issues with the store and don’t want to wait for the update may download the same using the link below. The update seems to resolve known issues like force close or crashing the store, faster performance, smarter web experience, better navigation and more. The update does not seem to deliver something out of the blues and it makes its way to fix all known issues with the earlier update. We also see the return of paid apps that had been off for a while.

The frequency of recent updates by Big G suggest that they are working fast to make Android a consistent and addictive platform for everyone. The Google Play Store is still on its way to grow bigger, better and evolve as stable as the Android Market.

Folks who are interested to install the update via the APK file can do so by enabling the option to install from unknown sources, which is located under the applications tab of the settings menu. Once the install process is complete I would suggest rebooting the device to ensure complete stability. If you want to wait for the update to be delivered without any hassles, the best option is to be at peace. I know most of us would just want to be lazy with the weekend approaching soon and enjoy things as the come.

If you are techie and have already applied the update via APK, please share your views on overall performance and stability by dropping a comment. It would help other users to get a better insight.

Download Google Play Store Update 3.5.16 APK File

Scan the QR Code or click the image to begin download.

Google+

Google+ Hangout apps finally out, adds fun, entertainment and productivity to conversations

March 29, 2012 Udit Malhotra Leave a comment

We’ve heard of Facebook Apps, Android Apps, iPhone Apps and so on, its Google now who is now ringing the bell by introducing an all new suite of third party applications that are now a part of the Google+ Hangout. The buzz was shared via a Google+ Post by +Amit Fulay (Product Manager for Google+ Hangouts). When users start a hangout, they may click on the “Apps” tab on the top left to gain access to the featured and recently used apps. The applications introduced today are an introductory set of apps, just a beginning to new apps being evolved and shared over Google+.

The introductory set of apps showcased includes:

+Aces Hangout, for playing poker with friends, face-to-face-to-face
Clubhouse Challenge by +Bravo, for testing your pop culture IQ against other teams
+Cacoo, for wire-framing, mind-mapping and diagramming with others
Google Effects, for trying on headwear, eyewear or facial hair
+Scoot & Doodle, for drawing and coloring with the people you care about
+SlideShare, for co-viewing presentations, docs and videos

The introduction of these apps has opened a horizon for Google+ developers to share and contribute new and interesting stuff to the community. Developers can check out the Google+ Developers blog for more updates http://goo.gl/CUAJ0

Besides the aforesaid apps standard Google apps like Google Docs, Youtube etc. can be used as well. This can act as very effective medium to grow and thrive effective conversation including corporates, student groups, universities and institutions. Google+ Hangouts allows folks with an option to have a group video chat with up to 10 people simultaneously for free. For all of you who haven’t yet tried Google+ Hangouts should surely give it a try.

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