Google

We're visual people on the web, but digital file sharing with its basic naming conventions and tree text view options is not. Today, Google takes its Drive service, the blend of file sharing with word processor and spreadsheet tools, in an image-conscience direction. Right-click on a file in your Drive account to quickly pull up a preview image of the photo, PDF, or any of the more than 30 files supported in the system without opening each item individually.

From the preview, you can share the document, print, watch video, scroll through pages, and copy text. Is this one more change to one day make Drive the go-to source for office programming?

Google+'s app updates for iOS and Android are right on trend, with more photo-centric features than ever before.

Powerful photo-editing tools from the desktop/mobile application Snapseed, which Google acquired last Fall, are now built into the Google+ iOS app for iPhone and iPad. In addition to selecting filters for their photos, users can adjust saturation, contrast, brightness, filter strength, and more, before sharing the images with their circles.

Google+ hasn't added photo-editing functionality for Android users yet, but the Android app did get a redesigned stream today that puts more social features up front and gives image galleries more visibility.

The +1, reshare, and comment buttons are now more accessible at the bottom of a post. Instead of cropped image previews, the entire photo will be displayed. When a gallery is posted, users can now swipe through the entire album from the stream.

Both the iOS and Android apps have a new profile design that reflects the recently introduced large-and-in-charge cover photo size.

While the new photo tools and updated stream are certainly an improvement over the existing app, Google+ is still trailing behind Facebook and Twitter, which have already introduced similar features. But with Google+'s more prominent role in other Google services, like search, Gmail, Drive, and even non-Google sites like Zagat, it might be only a matter of time before online users feel compelled to sign up for the company's social platform.

Do you use Google+? Will the latest update draw more users to the social network?

Your Google account's tied to email, work documents, cloud storage, and now it's putting all those would-be scraps of paper at the bottom of your bag — the deadline reminders, appointment cards, and book club reads — in one spot within your account with Google Keep.

Voice transcribe brainstorming ideas, store pictures — anything, by adding it to Keep through its web interface or as an app on devices running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and up.

Like popular note-taking service Evernote, Keep syncs content across all associated devices. Create a note on the web, and see it pop on your Android phone and tablet. The tiled interface is a style we're seeing more of in apps lately, and is a well-organized feature that may actually draw us to the service.

Will you give Keep a try? Watch Google's introductory video after the break.

When you really need to drive home your point, animated GIFs are just what the digital doctor ordered. Have a friend who complains a little too much? Tell 'em to deal with it. Roommates driving you crazy? Show them just how much.

GIFs fill in awkward gaps in electronic communication and express what mere words cannot. Since finding the right one is an art form, we've got two solid ways to get your Graphics Interchange Format on.

• Google Image Search — The Googs added support for animated GIF search today. In Google Image search, click on "Search Tools" just below the search bar, and, under the "Any Type" drop-down menu, select "Animated." Clicking on any of the results will open a preview of the animated GIF without having to load a new page.
• Giphy — This website is a dedicated search engine for GIFs. Type whatever you want into the large search bar at the top. As you type, Giphy will show you related searches and suggestions. Roll your mouse over the thumbnails to see the animation. Click through to share the GIF via Twitter, Tumblr, or Facebook, or grab an embed code.

Since Google HQ calls Mountain View, CA, its home, the Google Maps team had to venture out on an expedition to capture some spectacular views from the world's tallest mountains on behalf of Street View. New high elevation panoramas of Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, and Everest Base Camp in Asia, have been added to the Google Street View collection, which showcases exotic locales from across the globe.

The highest mountains on of each of the seven continents are known as the Seven Summits, and the Google Maps team climbed half of those peaks in the last 18 months. Once the Googlers reached their final destination, a lightweight tripod, SLR camera, and fisheye lens were used to capture HDR images of the sweeping views.

Technically speaking, the project was no easy feat. Packing light is important on a trek — what seems manageable at sea level will only get heavier as you continue up the mountain. The expedition team needed to carry bulky equipment in addition to food and clothing. In a Google Hangout, Michele Battelli, who photographed the Aconcagua summit, explained that one of the greatest challenges were the batteries: "As the temperature goes down, battery life goes down. We brought 15 or so batteries and recharged them along the way."

We may not have plans to climb to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro (a mere 19,341 feet above sea level), but thanks to Google Maps, we can now explore amazing views from summits and base camps around the world via the web or from the Google Maps app for iPhone and Android.

Explore the new 360-degree panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp after the break.

Sorry news junkies, but Google has an update you won't like: the company's beloved Google Reader has fallen victim to Spring cleaning. As of July 1, 2013, the RSS feed aggregator, which has maintained a devoted following since 2005, will power down so that Google can "focus — otherwise we spread ourselves too thin and lack impact," the company said on its official blog.

A petition to keep the service has already collected over 50,000 signatures, but the truth of the matter is, Google has no plans to replace Reader.

Headline grazers, we've got your web browsing back. To find out how to export your Google Reader subscriptions and what the best RSS aggregating alternatives are, keep calm and read on.

Attention, iPhone users: it's time to relive those childhood field trips — Google style! The powerhouse of the Internet has finally released its Field Trip app (free) to Apple users. What was once an Android-based app is now available to those with iPhones and iPads.

Consider Field Trip the guide to everything cool around you — from history to happy hour. Once downloaded, the mobile application will run in the background, notifying you when you're close to something interesting. Without research, hunting, or trying, you will discover new eats and local gems.

The app was cool before, but now it's even cooler. With partners like Arcadia and Historvius, you can feed your inner history buff, while experts like Food Network and Zagat will help to feed your inner foodie. Other top-notch partners will guide you to the latest music scenes, boutiques, and more. Start downloading to discover fun things on vacation, or simply venture off the beaten path during your next walk around the block. Let us know what you find!