Google Docs Will get an Android App, We Go Hands-On with Tiny Spreadsheets

Staring at spreadsheets crushed down to unreadable sizes on a 4-inch mobile phone display screen is far from pleasurable but, clearly there's a desire. In fact, we've been clamoring to get a correct Google Docs app for ages, although occasionally we're not entirely sure why. It absolutely was only a make any difference of time before Google finally received around to appeasing us mobile workaholics and put an official app within the Android Marketplace. Well, our masochistic prayers had been answered -- the Mighty Goog unleashed the new, native Google Docs for Android app and we rushed on more than for the Marketplace, clicked the install button, and gave it a whirl.





Let's get this out with the way 1st: you'll find no offline editing capabilities. The actual editor is just the cellular web app embedded in a neat, little, native Android package deal. If you attempt to open an document without an web connection you'll just get an cutesy error message. In case you do have a connection (and exceedingly accurate fingers) you are able to open and edit your text documents and spreadsheets, but presentations are strictly read-only.

Google has supplied more ways to filter and browse your docs than you could quite possibly need. It is possible to pull them all up in a single checklist, narrow it down by collection (which when upon a time Google referred to as "tags"), pull up your starred files, view only certain document types... the checklist goes on and on. And if all that scrolling and tapping does not catch your fancy there is certainly an impressively quickly search-as-you-type function.

We tested the app on the Xoom too as being a Droid X and, although we're pleased to report it runs, it's surely not optimized for Honeycomb. Launching the app presents you together with the same single pane interface you get on the phone blown-up to tablet proportions. Instead of a list of collections around the left and files on the proper you simply end up with huge swaths of empty space. This really is doubly frustrating when you try to edit a document. The tablet keyboard may be simpler to type on than a mobile phone (and simpler nonetheless can be a Bluetooth 1) but, it helps make little difference when selecting a line of text to edit or manipulating spreadsheet filters demands the fingers of the five-year-old.

The two big advantages with the native app will be the homescreen widget and the ability to generate a document from a picture. The widget is basic sufficient and allows you to open the app, watch your starred docs, or generate new ones. 1 of the approaches you are able to develop a brand new document is by pointing your smartphone's digital camera at a little of text and snapping a pic. The image is then uploaded to Google, where the Mountain See crew operates a number of its OCR magic that it is been perfecting under the guise of Google Goggles. The outcomes are decidedly mixed. If you don't have constant fingers do not anticipate considerably -- even somewhat from focus photos create a doc with no text. In case you can handle to score a flawlessly distinct picture although, Docs does an admirable job of deciphering them.

Should you uncover your self consistently going to the cellular Google Docs just to search up info in previously produced paperwork and spreadsheets there's no cause to not set up this app -- it's more than serviceable for looking at docs. The lack of offline editing is very disappointing and unless of course you've obtained a tripod for your telephone the OCR will demonstrate to get rather unreliable. Nevertheless, the app is no cost, so what do you need to drop? Sharing is sexy