14 DAY TRIAL // Google Docs is about to get a rather thorough revamp with a fresh redesign and a few new features added to the mix. The redesign has been in testing at Google for a few months now and we have several more clues about some of the planned new features which include playback support for audio files, a new preview pane and even third-party apps.
The unofficial Google Operating System managed to find hints of new features in the Google Docs source code which contains references to things not yet available to most users.
One interesting new feature is the addition of a preview pane which would, presumably, enable users to get more info on a particular file or get a sneak at what's inside without actually having to open the document, spreadsheet, drawing and so on.
It should be a very useful feature for the file manager, the Docs homepage, especially since users can upload any files they want now.
Another planned feature, now in testing, comes in handy exactly for those using Docs to store more than just native documents. Users will be able to play back audio files hosted on Docs directly from the preview pane mentioned above.
Docs' media capabilities go beyond this though, users will eventually be able to create playlists as well, turning Docs into a cloud media player of sorts.
Google added the ability to preview videos uploaded to Docs in place, via the YouTube video player. The player supports all manner of formats and resolutions, but Docs is not exactly meant as a video hosting service.
However, with Chrome OS coming soon, the ability to store and manage files becomes even more important since there will be no such capabilities built into the operating system.
Listening to your music in Chrome OS could become a lot simpler if Docs added some sort of multimedia support, as looks to be the case. And with Google Music still in the works, the music sync service could tie in as well.
There's more though, it looks like third-party apps could soon be available in Google Docs like they are for Google Apps users. Google has a history of testing new products and features extensively, internally or with select users, so there's no way to know when any of the new features or the planned redesign will be available.