Google has today rolled out a new update to its Google Drive application for Android which has brought with it a number of new features, one of which allows you to now use your smartphone as a document scanner to save items directly to Google Drive.
The new Google Drive scanning features enable users to simply click ‘Scan’ from the ‘Add New’ menu, snap a photo of your document, and Google Drive will then transform the document into a PDF and store it in the cloud for you.
Enhanced Document Management
This new scanning feature is a significant enhancement for document management. By converting physical documents into digital format, users can easily organize, store, and access their important papers from anywhere. This is particularly useful for professionals who need to keep track of receipts, business cards, contracts, and other documents. The ability to scan and store documents directly in Google Drive eliminates the need for physical storage and reduces the risk of losing important papers.
Google has also enabled Google Drive with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, allowing you to easily search for the documents at a later date if required. OCR technology is a game-changer as it converts different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, PDF files, or images captured by a digital camera, into editable and searchable data. This means that even if you have a large number of documents stored in Google Drive, you can quickly find the one you need by searching for keywords contained within the document.
Google explains:
“No more frantic scrambling through drawers looking for a receipt or digging through your pockets to find that business card — just scan, upload and search in Drive.”
Practical Applications and Benefits
The practical applications of this feature are vast. For students, it means they can easily scan and store their notes, assignments, and study materials, making them accessible from any device. For small business owners, it simplifies the process of keeping track of invoices, receipts, and other financial documents. Additionally, travelers can use this feature to keep digital copies of their travel documents, such as passports, tickets, and itineraries, ensuring they have backups in case of loss or theft.
Moreover, the integration of OCR technology means that users can not only store but also manage their documents more effectively. For instance, if you have scanned a business card, you can search for the contact’s name or company to quickly retrieve the card. This feature can save a significant amount of time and effort, especially for those who deal with a large volume of documents regularly.
For more information on the new Google Drive update, jump over to the Google Drive Blog website for details.
Source: Google
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