Google Drive vs Google Sites

2022. Google is adding new Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Keep optimizations for tablets



Google unveiled Android 12L earlier this year, aiming to enhance the usability of tablets. During the I/O conference, the company revealed its intention to optimize over 20 Google apps for larger screens. Today, Google has introduced several new features for Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Keep, taking a step towards fulfilling this commitment. The most noteworthy feature announced is the ability to effortlessly drag text or images between two Workspace apps that are open side-by-side. Google highlights that users can now drag content from apps like Chrome or Sheets and drop it directly into an existing document or spreadsheet cell. Additionally, in Google Drive, files can be swiftly uploaded by dragging and dropping them into the app. Furthermore, links to Drive files can be easily added by dragging the file into an open app like Keep.


2018. Google Drive added comments to Microsoft Office files



Google Drive has introduced a convenient solution for teams and agencies seeking to collaborate seamlessly using a combination of G Suite and Microsoft Office. Now, Google Drive users can easily add comments to Office files, PDFs, and images directly within the Drive preview pane. This eliminates the need to rely on external tools like Microsoft Office or Acrobat Reader, as well as the hassle of converting files to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides formats. While it may not provide real-time commenting like G Suite or Office 365, this feature offers a significant improvement by eliminating the constant need to convert documents between Office and G Suite.


2018. Google Sites now lets you publish protected content



Google has introduced a significant update to its website-building platform, Google Sites, offering organizations greater control over content access. With this update, creators and administrators now have the ability to selectively choose who within their organization can view specific sites. By entering individual names in the "Invite People" box and selecting "Specific people can view when published" from the drop-down menu, organizations can determine the audience for their content. This update is particularly important as it enables organizations to maintain privacy and control over confidential information, thereby encouraging the adoption of the new Google Sites. Currently, this feature is available exclusively on the web, but Google has announced that it will be extending its availability to the Google Drive mobile apps on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.


2017. Google launches Drive File Stream to replace the Google Drive desktop app for G Suite users



Google has introduced a new desktop application, called Drive File Stream, for Google Drive users who are subscribed to G Suite. This application will replace the existing Google Drive desktop app, which is scheduled to be discontinued next year. One notable distinction between the consumer and enterprise versions is the inclusion of administrative control features. Starting today, company IT departments will find the Drive File Stream settings within the Admin Console for their G Suite edition. This enables them to customize and deploy the solution within their domain, including options to enable synchronization, define installation preferences, disable automatic updates through Google Update, and manage other relevant configurations.


2017. Google Drive gets a new Backup & Sync desktop app



Google has unveiled its latest application, Backup and Sync, designed to facilitate the effortless backup of files and photos on both Mac and PC platforms. This utility serves as a replacement for the older Google Photos desktop app and the client applications of Google Drive. The newly introduced tool offers a user-friendly interface, where users can sign in to their Google account and select the folders they wish to continuously back up to Google Drive. Apart from backing up files stored on desktop computers, this software also allows users to back up photos from USB-connected devices like cameras and SD cards. As for business users, Google has plans to launch a dedicated enterprise solution called Drive File Stream, which will be made available to all G Suite users later this year.


2017. Google updated Drive with a focus on its business users



Google has implemented several updates to enhance its online file storage service, Google Drive, with a focus on improving its functionality for business and enterprise users. The primary emphasis is on providing a better service for teams within these organizations. As part of this effort, Google has made Team Drives available to all users after a preview phase that lasted approximately six months. Throughout the preview period, the team identified and addressed various issues, particularly related to permissions, to ensure a smooth general launch. Now, businesses of all sizes can leverage Team Drives for efficient file sharing within their enterprise. Another noteworthy addition is the general availability of Google Vault for Drive, which equips large enterprises, particularly those operating in regulated industries, with the necessary tools for archiving and data retention. This feature caters to the specific needs of these businesses, offering enhanced control and compliance capabilities. By prioritizing the requirements of business and enterprise users, Google Drive continues to evolve as a comprehensive and reliable file storage solution for organizations of all sizes.


2016. Totally rebuilt Google Sites features adaptive design and real-time collaboration


Google has introduced a completely revamped version of its intranet website builder, called Google Sites. This new iteration offers deep integration with Google's suite of tools, allowing for easy insertion of documents from Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and other G Suite applications. Additionally, Google Sites now directly integrates with Google Analytics for comprehensive website analytics. Collaborative editing capabilities have also been introduced, leveraging the same technology used in Google Docs, enabling multiple users to work together on site content. Administrators have the flexibility to determine whether users can publish their sites publicly or restrict access to users within their own domain. With this update, the created pages on Google Sites automatically adjust to different screen sizes, ensuring optimal viewing experiences on various devices. The preview mode further simplifies the process of assessing site appearance on phones, tablets, and desktops. To assist users in achieving a professional look, Google has included six new themes to serve as starting points for website design.


2016. Google Drive gets intelligent search



Google Drive is introducing an enhanced search capability that incorporates natural language processing and offers autocorrection suggestions for misspelled search terms. This means that when searching for documents, you can use phrases like "find my budget spreadsheet from last December" or "show me presentations from Anissa." As this feature is utilized more frequently, the search results will become increasingly precise. This development likely indicates that Google will soon integrate a voice interface into Google Drive as well.


2014. Google Drive adds OpenDocument support, sending files as attachments



Google is introducing a series of updates for its cloud-based storage service, Google Drive. One notable enhancement is that Gmail users can now share Drive documents as attachments within email files. This feature proves beneficial when the recipient lacks permission to access the file on Google Drive or if you plan to delete the file from Drive in the future. Furthermore, Google has added support for importing the three major ODF (Open) file formats: .odt for documents, .ods for spreadsheets, and .odp for presentations. This addition simplifies the process of working with files from other open-source productivity suites like LibreOffice. Additionally, Android users of Drive can utilize voice commands within the Google search app to search for files. For example, a user can say, "OK, Google — search for holiday letter on Drive," streamlining the file search process.


2014. Google Drive for desktop now allows to launch files in preferred applications



File storage service Google Drive has introduced a convenient feature that enables users to effortlessly launch their cloud-stored files with their preferred desktop applications. This functionality can be accessed through an optional Chrome extension. Once the extension is installed, users can simply right-click on applications stored in Google Drive and choose to open them using compatible applications installed on their computer. To utilize this feature, users must have the latest version of the Drive app installed on their Mac or PC, and their files should be synchronized to their computer. According to Google, the rollout of this new extension will take place gradually over the next few days.