Google Drive brings improvements to video playback and search on iOS

Google Drive is receiving several updates that will improve the usability of the cloud-based storage platform. The tech giant is adding a new transcode to improve playback speed and rebuffering of videos played in Drive. It also improves iOS search functionality and adds query filters to help users quickly get to the desired file. Additionally, Google increases the timeout for BigQuery and Looker within Connected Sheets. The features were released last week.

The new features were announced in Google Workspace blog post. Regarding video playback improvements, the tech giant said: “We are enabling the generation and playback of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) video transcoding for all new videos uploaded to Google Drive. DASH transcoding provides adaptive bitrate playback, allowing users to receive higher or lower resolution playback based on aspects such as the quality of their local network.

Users will see two changes from this. First, the video join time, which is the time it takes for the video to start after clicking the play button. Second, users will also notice reduced instances of re-buffering while the video is playing. Currently, the changes will only be visible in new videos that are uploaded to Google Drive, but the company said that the transcoding will be applied to existing videos by the end of the year.

Drive search is also getting an upgrade, but for now it will only be available to iOS users. Users will now have access to query filters while searching. They will appear right below the search bar and users can choose between them File type, Ownersand Last modified to narrow your search results. As they enter a search query, users will also see relevant filters appear to help them easily select them. In addition, Google also adds an option to refine the query to publish the search results to reach the desired file. The company said the feature will soon arrive on Android as well.

These features will be available to Google Workspace enterprise customers, individual Google Workspace subscribers, and personal account holders. The tech giant has already shipped the features and they should roll out to all users globally in the next few days.