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http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/features/googledrivetips/00%20Intro-470-75.jpg Google Drive and the Docs suite it incorporates have grown a lot more powerful over the last couple of years. Desktop syncing, Gmail integration, mobile and offline editing, handwriting recognition, extra storage and a variety of interface tweaks have all come down the pipe to leave Drive looking like a very mature and capable platform indeed. It still falls short of the raw power of a typical desktop office suite, yet with growing broadband speeds and ever-improving mobile apps it's becoming a part of the workflow for more and more people. Whether you've only dabbled in Docs and Drive in the past, or you're a long-standing veteran, we've collected 20 of our favourite tips to help you improve your productivity. 1. File typeshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/01%20File%20types-420-90.jpg Let's start with the main Google Drive interface. Click on the downward arrow inside the search box at the top of the screen and you can filter the files shown based on their format, their ownership permissions or their visibility on the Web. 2. Change the viewhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/02%20Change%20the%20view-420-90.jpg There are a couple of useful links on the left of the Google Drive interface that can change the view of the files you're looking at: use Recent to see the most recently opened files at the top of the pile, and Activity to see files that have recently been changed by you or someone else with access permissions. 3. Multiple previewshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/03%20Multiple%20previews-420-90.jpg Do you want to be able to preview multiple files at once, without opening them up? Of course you do. Place ticks next to all the files you want to see in the main Google Drive interface, then press the preview button (an eye symbol). Use the cursor keys or the arrows at the sides to navigate through your files. 4. Drive on the desktophttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/04%20Drive%20on%20the%20desktop-420-90.jpg Google Drive's desktop application lets you use the platform as an online backup service for your local files. You can choose specific folders to sync on each machine. Native Google Docs files are shown as web links on your hard drive. 5. Built-in OCRhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/05%20Built-in%20OCR-420-90.jpg Google Drive can use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to parse text in PDF files and images and convert it into a standard Google Docs document. You can choose this option from the upload settings. The original image or PDF is embedded at the top of the document. 6. Paint formatshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/06%20Paint%20formats-420-90.jpg The Paint format button is to the left of the toolbar in all of the main Docs applications, and you can use it to copy the format of one block of text to another. If you're creating a heading style, for example, you can quickly apply it to the other headings in your document. 7. Set default texthttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/07%20Set%20default%20text-420-90.jpg In the Docs word processor, open up the stylesheets drop-down menu from the toolbar, then select Normal text > Update 'Normal text' to match. This sets the current text style as normal. Choose Options > Save as my default styles to use this new stylesheet on every new document. 8. Link searcheshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/08%20Link%20searches-420-90.jpg If you highlight a block of text and then click the link button on the Docs toolbar, you'll see a list of suggested URLs based on the text you've selected. Matches for the selected word or phrase in your Google Drive file list are also shown, if you want to link between different documents. 9. Researchhttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/09%20Research-420-90.jpg If you're always switching to and from Google to look up information, you can make use of the Research pane (accessible from the Tools menu in Docs and Slides). Type a search term to see results from the web as well as your Google Drive and Gmail accounts. 10. Image draghttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/10%20Image%20drag-420-90.jpg You can drag and drop images right into your documents, whether from your local hard drive or a website. 11. Translate documentshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/11%20Translate%20documents-420-90.jpg Leverage the power of Google Translate and get your documents swiftly translated from the option on the Tools menu. 46 different languages were available the last time we checked. 12. Email notificationshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/12%20Email%20notifications-420-90.jpg In the Sheets spreadsheet app you can get customised notifications when something is changed on a spreadsheet. Choose Tools > Notification rules to set up your alerts as required. 13. Theme master slideshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/13%20Theme%20master%20slides-420-90.jpg The themes in Slides help you get your presentation up and running quickly, and in October Google added the option to edit the master slide (and thus the current theme). Open the Slide menu and choose the 'Edit master' option to make changes. 14. Layout tableshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/14%20Layout%20tables-420-90.jpg The Docs word processor doesn't have the most advanced design tools, but you can use tables for slightly more unusual layouts. Use the Table menu to create the grid and then change its borders to 0pt width so that they're invisible. 15. Conditional formattinghttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/15%20Conditional%20formatting-420-90.jpg The capabilities and scope of Google's online office suite continues to grow. Via the Format menu in Sheets you can apply specific text and background colours if the cells in a certain range match particular criteria (such as their numerical value). 16. Word Arthttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/16%20Word%20Art-420-90.jpg The Slides presentation program includes a basic Word Art tool that you can access from the Insert menu. You can change text colour, border colour and border thickness from the toolbar, and Word Art shapes can be useful if you need more flexibility than a standard text box can give you. 17. Scan documentshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/17%20Scan%20documents-420-90.jpg If you have the official Google Drive app for Android, you can select the Scan option to use your phone or tablet as a scanner. Snap a physical document with your device's camera and the app converts it to a PDF saved in Google Drive. 18. Find new appshttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/18%20Find%20new%20apps-420-90.jpg Many of the apps available in the Chrome Web Store tie right in with Google Drive and add extra capabilities to the service. From the main files list open the settings drop-down menu and choose Manage apps to look at apps you've already connected. Follow the link to browse for new programs, which cover everything from photo editing to online document signing. 19. Start publishinghttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/19%20Start%20publishing-420-90.jpg You can embed a presentation or any other type of file on the web to make it easier for other people to find. Choose Publish to the Web from the File menu to see the available options. 20. Go offlinehttp://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/features/googledrivetips/20%20Go%20offline-420-90.jpg If you're going to be away from a reliable Internet connection for a while, you can still work on your files by utilising Google Drive's offline capabilities. You need to set this up in advance so the necessary caching can be carried out, and you need to be using the Chrome browser: choose the Offline link from the file list to enable the feature. If you haven't already installed the Drive Chrome app, you'll be prompted to do so. If you're running Chrome OS, the feature is enabled automatically. Now why not read How Google Now can help you be more efficienthttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/34c953c2/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183026244501/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34c953c2/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183026244501/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34c953c2/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183026244501/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34c953c2/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183026244501/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34c953c2/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/183026244501/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34c953c2/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/SyQXzabr9TA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/Chromecast/chromecast-470-75.jpgGoogle's HDMI Chromecast dongle is great for streaming content from an Android device directly to a television set, but falls short of the Apple TV platform when it comes to full-on display mirroring. However, that could soon be about to change, judging by code spotted within the Android 4.4.1 update which is currently rolling out to Nexus smartphones and tablets. Cyanogen co-founder Koushik Dutta, whose company creates software to help users modify and extend the functionality of their mobile devices, thinks the screen mirroring roll out will be coming soon. However, he believes the API will only be available to Google and the device manufacturers rather than becoming a tool that all developers are able to use for different purposes. Kinda bullpoopHe said, judging by the code that the possibility of sending Android displays to hardware other than the Chromecast, such as Apple TV or Roku set-top boxes will likely be out of the question. On his Google+ page, Dutta wrote: "From the patches I see in 4.4.1, they'll be adding Android mirroring to Chromecast very soon." "Unfortunately that API is not available to anyone but Google and the OEM. Similar solutions to different hardware can't be built (Apple TV, etc). Kinda bull***t." In the Android 4.4.1 software patches, the code for 'Capture_Screen_Video_Output' allows "an application to capture secure video output," but adds that it is "not for use within third-party applications." Another hint is a change within Android 4.4.1 itself within Display settings. Instead of the 'Wireless Display' option, the setting now reads 'Cast Screen.' Interesting. Google has been bigging up its Chromecast-compatible apps by giving them a section of their own within the Google Play store, but could things be able to get a lot more interesting for the little dongle? http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/34929bb6/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180265847477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34929bb6/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180265847477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34929bb6/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180265847477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34929bb6/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180265847477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34929bb6/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/180265847477/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34929bb6/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/nHehxkEiR68

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/cyanogenmod_googleplay-470-75.jpgCyanogenMod's brief stint in the official Google Play store ended November 27, when Google forced the company to remove its newly minted app. The unofficial Android installer debuted in the app marketplace with its first ever official release on November 12. It was rather a surprise that Google approved it in the first place, considering the very nature of CyanogenMod. With the app's removal it seems CyanogenMod is destined to remain underground for now. Outside the boxThere may be hope for the future of CyanogenMod, though. In a blog post announcing that the app had been pulled from the Google Play store the company said it was installed hundreds of thousands of times in the two weeks or so it was officially available. CyanogenMod is an alternate Android installation tool whose makers aren't afraid to push Android hardware in new and sometimes unexpected directions. It's a versatile tool, but Google reportedly forced the company to take down its official app because it "encourages users to void their warranty." And sure enough, the app's Google Play page is no longer available. Android, huh? So much for open source. Maybe Firefox OS has a chance after all. CyanogenMod is of course still available through cyanogenmod.org, which promises that despite this setback "installing CyanogenMod has never been easier." KitKat's 'Project Svelte' could signal the end of Android fragmentationhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3437ba36/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183025177669/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3437ba36/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183025177669/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3437ba36/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183025177669/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3437ba36/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/183025177669/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3437ba36/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/183025177669/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3437ba36/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/P4Z46-ejjas

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Google/Eric%20Schmidt%20Google-470-75.jpgGoogle's executive chairman Eric Schmidt kindly gave up his weekend to write a lengthy step-by-step guide for iPhone users who are thinking of switching to Android. Big Eric says loads of his friends are making the transition from iOS and enjoying better, larger displays and a 'much more intuitive interface.' In the post on his personal Google+ page, Schmidt said that an Android phone would be "a great Christmas present to an iPhone user!" He said: "Like the people who moved from PCs to Macs and never switched back, you will switch from iPhone to Android and never switch back as everything will be in the cloud, backed up, and there are so many choices for you. 80% of the world, in the latest surveys, agrees on Android." You got me, what?!The series of Schmidt tips advises new Android phone owners on how they can make use of iCloud and Gmail to get iPhone contacts onto the new phone. It also explains how users can get iTunes music onto the Android phone, by using Google Music Manager and syncing to the company's cloud locker. Are you an iPhone user? Would you welcome an Android phone in your stocking this Christmas? Or would be aghast that a loved would even consider it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section. Find out why everyone on the internet is turning into Eric Schmidt?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/340ed6f1/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264973817/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/340ed6f1/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264973817/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/340ed6f1/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264973817/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/340ed6f1/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264973817/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/340ed6f1/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/180264973817/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/340ed6f1/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/wcCo6wooXOU

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Google/apps/Google_Play_Movies_Cards-470-75.jpgGoogle has rolled out an update for its UK Play Movies app for Android, introducing the handy information cards that rolled out in the US earlier this year. The feature allows users to pause the video and view information about the actors currently on screen, the related movies and TV shows and information about the soundtrack. Users can tap on the lovely actors faces to see their filmographies, age and the other associated items available from the Google Play store. The feature is similar to the Amazon X-Ray for the Kindle Fire and saves a trip to IMDb when trying to answer the age old 'what else has she been in?' question. More Jack Black information"Next time you're watching a movie on Google Play you can find out that it's Jack Black, who was born in Hermosa Beach, California and is 44 years old," the company wrote on the Google UK Google+ page. "In the UK, we've added info cards to the Google Play Movies & TV app so you can easily learn more about the actors, related films and even what song is playing in many of your favourite movies." http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/33c12419/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264409003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33c12419/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264409003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33c12419/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264409003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33c12419/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264409003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33c12419/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/180264409003/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33c12419/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/EjXzZTe1mAI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Google/apps/Google_Now_Update13:11-470-75.jpgGoogle's quest to make its Google Now assistant a one-stop-shop for immediately prevalent information has moved a step closer to completion, with the integration of some brand new Cards. The Android version of Google Now, which is part of the Google Search app now brings access to news Google believes will pique your interest, as well as updates from the blogs they follow. Alongside some new reading material, Google Now for Android now integrates data from the company's recently-purchased Waze traffic app, offering real-time traffic information from other drivers on the road. Beyond those goodies, there's also a 'What to watch' card, which brings personalised entertainment suggestions from television and on demand portals. Repeat reminders and rugbyFor fans of egg chasing, there's some real time rugby score integration, while the app will also let you know when ordered packages are ready to pick up in-store. Finally, users will be able to set repeat reminders. Earlier this month Google boosted the iOS version of the service, bringing it temporarily in line with the Android counterpart with event ticket, train schedule and boarding pass cards among along with reminders and push notifications. The parity didn't last long as today's update puts the Android app in the ascendency once again. It's available to download now via Google Play. Will the rumoured Google smart watch get a heavy dose of Google Now?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/33af89b6/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264324434/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33af89b6/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264324434/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33af89b6/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264324434/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33af89b6/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180264324434/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33af89b6/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/180264324434/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/33af89b6/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/GYa1P07vevI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//art/other/Onetimers/google-chrome-browse-extensions-hosted-policy-470-75.jpgThere will only be one place for Windows-based Chrome browser extensions to be stored in 2014, as Google is about to require all such extensions be hosted on the Chrome Web Store. This isn't another Google-Microsoft app tiff. Malicious extensions are the reason developers are being forced to migrate all of their extensions to Google's internal servers starting in January. "Many services bundle useful companion extensions, which causes Chrome to ask whether you want to install them (or not)," explained Erik Kay, Google engineering director, in an official blog post today. "However, bad actors have abused this mechanism, bypassing the prompt to silently install malicious extensions that override browser settings and alter the user experience in undesired ways." One example that Google highlighted involved replacing the New Tab Page without users' approval. The company even linked to hundreds of complaints from Windows users to back this up. You shouldn't see a differenceChrome users shouldn't see much of a change despite the sweeping new security efforts announced today. "There will be no impact to your users, who will still be able to use your extension as if nothing changed," Kay advised developers. He also mentioned that developers who want to keep extensions hidden from the Web Store can do so, in case they're used internally in a work group and shouldn't be shared with the public. The only difference end-users will see is if developers don't migrate over to being hosted on the Chrome Web Store right away. "If your extensions are currently hosted outside the Chrome Web Store you should migrate them as soon as possible," he warned before segueing into the overall goal of this trade-off. "Protecting our users is a key priority, and we believe this change will help those whose browser has been compromised by unwanted extensions." http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/336e5c3c/sc/21/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180263846515/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/336e5c3c/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180263846515/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/336e5c3c/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180263846515/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/336e5c3c/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180263846515/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/336e5c3c/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/180263846515/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/336e5c3c/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/8sS2MG6Fmq0