Gmail iOS App Now Opens Links in Chrome, YouTube, Google Maps

Google on Monday released an update to its Gmail iOS app that allows for links to be opened in other Google apps, provided they are installed on a user's iOS device.


If you have the Gmail and Chrome for iOS apps installed on your iPhone, for example, a link sent to you in an email will open in the Chrome browser rather than Apple's pre-loaded Safari browser.


The same goes for YouTube and Google Maps. A video link emailed to your Gmail account will open in YouTube, while directions or an address will bypass Apple Maps and open in Google Maps, provided both apps are installed on your iOS gadget.


Those who would prefer to stick with Safari or Apple Maps can change their settings within the Gmail app to specify which program should open various links.


This does not apply to Gmail accounts added to Apple's Mail app.


The update, meanwhile, also adds support for signing out of a single account instead of having to sign out of all accounts at once.


Over the last year, Google has been rolling out standalone apps on iOS for several of its most popular products. The search giant started at last year's Google I/O with Chrome for iOS. Like the desktop version of Chrome, the iOS app syncs across devices. Pull up pages that you looked at on your PC or iPhone via the iPad, or vice versa.


Later that year, prior to the launch of iOS 6, Google released its iOS app for YouTube. Apple's iOS 6 removed YouTube as a pre-installed app on iOS, so Google had to create one for the App Store before the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 were released in late September.


With iOS 6, Apple also replaced Google Maps with the much-maligned Apple Maps. After three months of incorrect directions and bizarre renderings on Apple Maps, Google Maps for iOS finally arrived for the iPhone, though we're still waiting on a version for iPad.


For more, see PCMag's reviews of YouTube for iPad and Google Maps (for iPhone), as well as Chrome for iPhone and iPad and Gmail for iPhone.

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Microsoft Office Web Apps Come to Android

Microsoft this week unveiled a few updates to Office Web Apps, the Web-based companion to Redmond's full Office suite that made its debut in 2010.

Among the expected updates is the ability to access and edit Office docs on Android tablets via Chrome.
"The full power of the Office Web Apps is already available for Windows 8 tablets and iPads and we will be extending the same capabilities to Android tablets via mobile Chrome browser support," Microsoft said in a blog post.
Meanwhile, Microsoft said it will add real-time co-editing to Office Web Apps for easier collaboration. Once added, users will see who's online and edits as they happen without having to refresh."This is a subtle change, but a great enhancement to enable even richer collaboration," Microsoft said.
The update has started rolling out to the PowerPoint Web App (see video below), and Microsoft promised the feature for other apps in the next few months.
Meanwhile, Redmond said it has "prioritized features that make it easier to work via the Web, including things as simple as adding find and replace in Word Web App to improving the general experience by speeding up launch times and making file management simpler."
The updates, Microsoft said, are part of its pledge to boost user experience, social and collaboration, and broad cross platform browser support within Office Web Apps.

"Since we first launched Office Web Apps, browser technologies and speeds have advanced and the development infrastructure has matured, making the Web a better platform on which to build Office and more quickly innovate on the Web," Microsoft said. "With these improvements, we're better able to deliver a comprehensive productivity experience with the Office Web Apps."


For more, see PCMag's review of Microsoft Office Web Apps and Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium.

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