Google Workspace Changes

Google Drive folder and page URLs will no longer include hash marks.

To improve overall performance, Google Drive is moving from using hash marks (#) to the HTML5 History API. Consequently, folder and page URLs will no longer include hash marks (e.g., /drive/#folders/ABC becomes /drive/folders/ABC). While existing links with hash marks will continue to work, this change may impact Google Apps admins or employees who parse URLs for the '#' symbol or use Chrome extensions that rely on the old URL structure.

New features and improvements for the Google Drive Android app.

A new version of the Google Drive Android app is being released, introducing the ability to share files and links directly from upload notifications, access extended contact information in the sharing section, and remove parents from multi-parented files. The update also adds support for 23 new languages, improves the PDF viewer's scrolling and layout handling, and includes general performance and UI enhancements, as well as a fix to prevent uploads for accounts where Drive has been disabled by administrators.

Google+ Photos and videos are now available in Google Drive.

Google is integrating Google+ Photos into Google Drive, introducing a new 'Google Photos' menu item. Users can optionally add a Google Photos folder to their 'My Drive' to manage photos and videos alongside other files, with controls available in Drive settings and the Sync Client to manage folder visibility and desktop syncing. The feature will respect Google+ settings, meaning domains with Google+ disabled will not see the menu item.

Rollout of new Google Drive UI as default and removal of the old UI option.

The new Google Drive UI is being established as the default user experience. The rollout is already complete for Rapid release customers and is planned for April 7, 2015, for Scheduled release customers. Additionally, the option to return to the old Drive UI via Settings will be removed starting in early May 2015 for Rapid release domains, with Scheduled release domains following two weeks later.

Introduction of the License Manager API for programmatic Google Drive license management.

The License Manager API allows administrators to programmatically assign, unassign, and re-assign Google Drive storage licenses to users. This functionality is available for Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education editions.

Ability to keep specific file revisions forever in Google Drive

While Google Drive automatically deletes file versions older than 30 days or when there are more than 100 previous versions, a new feature allows users to specify that certain revisions should be kept forever.

Ability to keep specific file revisions forever in Google Drive.

Google Drive typically deletes file versions older than 30 days or when there are more than 100 previous versions. A new feature allows users to specify that certain revisions should be kept forever.

Native Google Drive app for iOS is now available.

A native Google Drive app for iOS devices (iOS 5.0+) is now available for download in the iTunes App Store, allowing users to open all files stored in their Google Drive.

Rollout of the opt-in phase for Google Drive

The opt-in phase of Google Drive is now available to scheduled track domains. Users can opt-in at drive.google.com, where they will see an introductory video; once opted in, users visiting docs.google.com will be redirected to drive.google.com and the 'Documents' navigation item will change to 'Drive'.

Opt-in phase for Google Drive begins for Scheduled Release domains.

Starting May 14th, 2012, Google Drive will begin an 'opt-in' phase for domains on the Scheduled Release track. Users can opt-in via drive.google.com, which will redirect docs.google.com to Drive and update the 'Documents' navigation item to 'Drive'. The rollout is expected to take 1-2 weeks.

Google introduces Google Drive, a new file synchronization and storage service.

Google Drive is a new file synchronization product that allows users to centrally store all of their files in Google Docs, accessible via a web browser, a desktop client for Mac/PC, and a mobile app for iPhone and iPad. The launch includes several updates to Google Docs, such as the introduction of a visual grid view, the renaming of 'Collections' to 'folders', and a new left navigation menu featuring 'My Drive', 'Shared with me', and 'Activity' views.

Google Apps users can now try out the new look for Google Documents List.

Google Apps users can now try out the new look for Google Documents List. If users opt in to the new look, keyboard shortcuts are also now available.