Google Drive Desktop Update for Windows & Mac with New Features
The Google Drive desktop applications running on the Windows and Mac operating systems have just been updated with new features.
Status Menu Updated
Google has updated the status menus to display more information than was previously provided by the cloud storage Drive app. You will now be able to see what files are currently being synced to the cloud. There is a checkmark lined up next to each file when they have been synced as well as a confirmation note below the file name reading: synced.
It is also possible to hover over a file using the mouse and then it can be shared with others direct from the menu.
Bandwidth Control
There is also a new bandwidth control feature. This is a feature that has been present in other cloud storage apps like Dropbox for years, but it now finally come to the Google Drive desktop app as well.
A large file can take time to upload and the service can handle it whilst restricting just how much bandwidth is being used with the file upload. Upload speeds are usually far lower than download speeds with most internet connections so the ability to restrict the amount of bandwidth used is crucial.
To set the bandwidth restrictions go to Advanced and then Preferences from the menu.
Updates Rolling Out Gradually
The update on Windows and Mac is expected to roll out gradually over the next few days so not all users with a version of Google Drive on their desktop already will have seen a change yet. Those installing Drive fresh should see the change in app behavior right away.
Google Drive Updating Rapidly With New Features
Recent Google Drive updates have been coming thick and fast of late. An update just in December added Office document conversion within Gmail and the ability to initiate a quick document edit in Google Docs with just one click. Support has also been added for ODF, ODT, ODS and ODP open source document access which are often used by OpenOffice or LibreOffice as alternative document formats for analytical spreadsheets, writing documents, diagrams, and more.
