Google updates Docs on Android and improves presentation app

IDG News Service - Google has expanded the functionality of its Docs word processing application on Android devices while simultaneously improving the Docs presentation application for desktop browsers.

The Android Docs word processing application is gaining some of the collaboration functionality it already has on desktop browsers, including the ability to see in real time the changes and edits that other users make to documents, Google said in a blog post.

The interface of the Android application has also been enhanced, so, for example, users can now "pinch" the screen of their device to zoom into a document or zoom out for a full-document view. In addition, users of the app now have access to a rich-text formatting feature, which will let them do things such as add different colors to documents.

Meanwhile, Google also announced separately that it has added discussion threads to the presentation application of the Docs suite. Discussion threads will let users post comments next to slides, alert others about the discussion via email and close the loop on comments that are addressed. Similar functionality is available for the Docs word processing application.

The improvements to the Android word processing app and to the presentation app for desktop browsers will be available both to individuals who use Docs as a stand-alone suite and to people who use it as part of the broader Google Apps suite at work.

Juan Carlos Perez covers enterprise communication/collaboration suites, operating systems, browsers and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Juan on Twitter at @JuanCPerezIDG.