Google rolling out updated Drive app for Mac w/ new status menu & bandwidth control

Google is rolling out an updated version of its Google Drive app for Mac and PC this week with a few handy new features. First, you’ll find (as you can see above) that Google has updated the status menu to show much more information than before. Now, you can see the files that are being synced up to the cloud as well as a check mark next to them that will appear as they do so. The app will also make it clear which files are currently syncing and which files are yet to be synced. Additionally, hovering over an item will let you share it straight from the menu.

The update also brings a feature that will let you restrict how much bandwidth the app uses in the case that you’re uploading a huge file but would still like to go about your work day without sacrificing your entire connection.  To do this, head to the “Advanced” section of the “Preferences” menu. The update is scheduled for a gradual rollout, so you can expect to see the update over the course of the week. If don’t have the app in the first place, though, you can find it on the Google Drive website.

A new version of Google Drive for Mac/PC is rolling out this week, featuring a new, more visually rich status menu. The menu allows people using Google Drive for Mac/PC to more clearly follow their sync status, including guidance on already synced files, files currently syncing and files yet to be synced. When you hover over a recently synced file, you’ll see an icon that saves you steps by letting you share it right from the menu.

This is the third in a slew of Drive updates that have hit over the last couple of months. In early December, Google added the ability to convert Microsoft Office documents within Gmail and easily edit them in Google Docs with a single click. More recently, Google announced that it added official support for ODF documents, including .odt files for documents, .ods for spreadsheets, and .odp for presentations.