Google Drive Android app update to version 1.3, removing some features

It's not as bad as it may sound. Lost functionality is replaced by new Docs & Sheets apps.

Some time ago, Google bundled some of their existing apps, including Docs, into Drive. Now they're unbundling them. What gives? My take: purpose of the new modularised Drive is to avoid creating a larger RAM footprint with the new & promised Drive functionality.

New features:
● ability to work on Drive documents offline
● Powerpoint equivalent, called Slides, in the works

Android runs on a large range of hardware. Not all devices have 3GB of RAM. A Drive app composed of separate modules will have a smaller RAM footprint. It may also be an indicator of additional functionality to come.

To emulate the old Drive functionality, do the following:
● update Drive app
● install Docs app
● install Sheets app
● use Drive just as you have to date. When you attempt to create, or edit, a Docs or Sheets file, Drive will seamlessly call the appropriate Docs or Sheets app.

Having done the above, I created the text for this post using the new version of Drive. No loss of functionality that I have observed, although there is a check-spelling-as-you-type function that I hadn't noticed before.

If you prefer, delete the desktop shortcuts for Docs & Sheets. You may wish to do the same with Slides, when it appears.

A relatively minor difference from previous versions is that by default, copies of documents are now kept on the device. Not surprising, given the new offline editing capability.

http://www.talkandroid.com/205569-google-drive-android-app-update-to-version-1-3-removing-some-features/?utm_source=feedburner-ta&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AndroidNewsGoogleAndroidForums+%28TalkAndroid+-+Android+News%2C+Rumours%2C+and+Updates%29#readsoruce_bottom / Google update updating Google Drive app Android remove some functionality release separate apps documents spreadsheets edit documents users install new Docs Sheets apps documents viewed Drive app new apps installed features functions old Drive app Play Store download link powerpoint presentations presentation app work same way other apps Google Drive family /