Google Docs App for Android Updated with Tablet Optimizations

Android users who like being capable to create, view, edit, upload or share documents while on the go have a simple application for that, coming from Google themselves, namely Google Docs, and a new flavor of the software is now available for download for them.

Released on Wednesday, the new application iteration brings along a series of optimizations aimed at offering a better experience to those who use it on tablet PCs running under Android.

“Today’s update to the app makes Google Docs work better than ever on your tablet,” David Loxton, product manager, Google, notes in a recent blog post.

“With an entirely new design, we’ve customized the look to make the most of the larger screen space on tablets. The layout includes a three-panel view, which allows you to navigate through filters and collections, view your document list, and see document details, all at once.”

The Google Docs application is available for all devices that run under Android 2.1 or newer OS flavor, while the said optimizations will be visible only on Android 3.x Honeycomb tablets.

The main improvements that the new Google Docs 1.0.27 brings to these devices include:

- New 3-panel interface for improved browsing
- Details panel showing a thumbnail and sharing information
- Improved sharing experience with autocomplete system
- Landscape or portrait mode.

Tablet users will be offered a thumbnail preview of a document via a panel on the right side of the screen, which will also enable them to easily view or edit any doc.

At the same time, Google also added some enhancements to the application aimed at all users that have it installed on their handsets, namely improved video playback.

All these new features are available for Android users in a number of no less than 46 languages, the Internet giant explains.

The new flavor of Google Docs for Android is available for download from the Android Market here.