Google Docs Adds File Version History, Hints at Cloud Printing and Third-Party Apps

The Google Docs team has introduced a new feature that should come in very handy for those using the service to store and share files. Users can now upload updated versions of an existing file, making it easy to manage revisions. A couple of more features like cloud print and third-party apps are, apparently, coming soon.

"Earlier this year, we added the ability to 'Upload any file' to Google Docs so that you upload, store, and share any file up to 1 GB in size. Now you can upload new versions of the same file to your document list," Mike Procopio, Software Engineer at Google, wrote.

"Previously, each time you updated a file, you would have to upload the new version as a new file with a new URL, re-share it, and put in the correct folders again," he added.

Now, right-clicking on any file in Google Docs allows you to select the “Add or manage versions” option. This enables you to upload a newer version of the file while keeping all of the sharing and folder settings.

What's interesting is that older versions are not replaced outright and are still available for download from the versions menu. Of course, you can delete any version you don't need anymore.

Apart from this official update, the Google Operating System blog spotted a few interesting things in the Google Docs source code, references to "third-party applications," "cloud printing," and "sync devices."

We already know about cloud printing and the fact that Google is enabling it in Docs is hardly surprising. With Chrome OS expected to land this month, cloud printing should be coming very soon.

Third-party applications on the other hand are more interesting. Again, they shouldn't be a huge surprise. Google has been touting the Google Apps Marketplace since it launched earlier this year. The Chrome Web Store is also coming soon.

Sync devices is probably the most curios item in the list. The name would suggest some sort of synchronization options for Docs which would enable users to sync their files across various platforms and applications. It may also have to do with the mobile version of Google Docs which is expected in the coming weeks.