[ad_1]
Earlier this year, Google announced that it was revamping its desktop client strategy for Drive. The new “Google Drive for computer” which replaces “Backup and sync” by adding the automatic download of Google Photos is now appearing for some users.
Update 7/12: With the rollout already underway for some users, Google today officially detailed the new Drive desktop app on Mac and Windows. By offering an app for consumer and business users, the company added frequently requested features, such as improved compatibility for recent versions of Mac and Windows. This includes better Photo Library support on Apple computers, including media synced with iCloud. Finally, it will synchronize the edited photos better and support the backup of external storage (flash drives, SSD, etc.).
An underlying speed improvement sees Drive for Desktop appearing directly in Google Photos rather than first uploading to Google Drive and copying to Google Photos.
Existing Backup and Sync users will be invited to switch to Desktop Drive in the “coming weeks”. You need to upgrade by September 2021, otherwise the files will stop uploading to Google’s cloud.
Meanwhile, corporate customers will benefit from a guided transition flow from backup and sync next week. On August 18, these users will receive an in-product prompt to transition. From October, the old app will stop working.
Original 7/2: Google has long had two desktop clients to back up your data to its cloud. Drive File Stream for corporate users was renamed “Google Drive for desktop” in January. The company followed up on the announcement by revealing how the consumer-centric backup and sync app will be phased out in 2021 for a unified approach.
Personal accounts and corporate clients would use the same Drive desktop client with Google Photos backup added. Other mainstream features include downloading Apple Photos library and support for connected USB storage. Additionally:
Other upcoming consumer features include syncing local folders (Documents, Desktop, etc.) with Google Drive and multi-account access. Meanwhile, regular users will be able to sync individual files to My Drive for offline use, dark mode, and view some Microsoft Office and Outlook integrations.
These features are starting to be deployed with version 49 of Google Drive for computers. At launch, Google reviews the main highlights:
- Safely store all your files: choose which folders on your computer to sync with Google Drive, back up to Google Photos, or both
- Access Google Drive from your computer: Stream or duplicate files and folders from Google Drive to your computer
- Use more than one account, without having to change: Log in and access files from four Google accounts at the same time
On the last point, you will be able to “log in and access files from four Google accounts at the same time” with a manager in the upper right corner. Currently, you basically have to log out whenever you want to change, but this new app allows backup to run simultaneously.
There is the option of “Stream files” where all data is stored in the cloud, and your computer serves as a simple client, but with the ability to make files and folders available for offline access. The second “My Drive” sync option is “File mirror”, where everything is stored both in the cloud and on the computer.
Google Photos options include a choice between storage saver and original quality, while there are checkboxes for file types: uploaded screenshots and download RAW files.
Version 49.0.8.0 of this new Google Drive desktop application is not yet widely deployed. The company has not yet detailed the update in the change log when logging in to what a Workspace account appears to be required for activation. The first impressions are quite positive as Google now offers a full app for Drive users.
In terms of a planned launch, Google previously noted the following:
We will announce when Desktop Drive is ready for Backup & Sync users. We’ll share more details later this year on how Backup & Sync users can get started with Drive for desktop. We will provide three months’ notice to administrators and end users of Google Workspace prior to the Drive for desktop transition deadline. The transition will be self-service for end users.
Thank you Antoine!
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links which generate income. After.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more information:
[ad_2]
Source link