Chrome OS Cloud Import Feature Lets You Backup External Drives to Google Drive

Along with the redesigned Chrome OS File Manager that is coming to the Linux-based operating system real soon, the existing Chrome File Manager is about to have some new features added while you wait. Certainly no one is resting on their laurels at the Chrome OS team.

Cloud Import

The Cloud Import feature within the Chrome OS that has been so useful is being further expanded now. There will be a new column added within the Chrome OS file manager (only in developer builds for the present time) which will show the current Import Status with files that are being uploaded to Google Drive presently.

Status Bar and Chrome Notifications

A display bar can be shown indicating progress for the upload. There is also a notification in the Chrome Notification Center that will indicate when a file has completed its upload procedure.

Updated GUI with Better Icons and Changing Styles

Some nice icons will have been added to the Cloud Import area to make it easier to identify. Different styles will be used between locally copied files and those already located in the Google Drive cloud system.

Larger Push to Improved Notification with Cloud and Files

The improved updating Cloud Import feature is part of a larger push to add improved notifications about the status between local files and those in the Drive cloud so users have a better handle on what is local and what is not.

Careful Management of Available Space Needed With Chromebooks

This is particularly useful with Chromebooks because they typically come in smaller configurations (though there are some 15.6-inch models appearing now), lower processor speeds, smaller internal storage, and limited memory. For this reason, features like Selective Sync with Google Drive are useful in reducing the amount of space taken up locally and pushes more files into the cloud.

New Cloud Import Features Coming

The Cloud Import feature on MTP devices such as external hard drives, SD cards and smart phones will soon be better supported too. A system scanner in the background will be able to detect all compatible devices and enable their backup directly to the Google Drive cloud.

A new Import files to Google Drive button will be added to the File Manager window to make it easier to select files and port them over to the cloud storage in a single action. For transfers already in progress, files will be updated with the new column and styling to make it clear which files are already in the cloud, which are in progress to the cloud, and those that remain in local storage. This will make it much easier for Chromebook owners to manage their local and cloud storage with efficiency in mind.

Google+ Photos App Already Has Auto-Backup

The Google+ Photos app already is able to scan inserted SD cards and microSD cards silently in the background and then automatically upload photos to the cloud. The app accesses the DCIM folder where photos are typically stored on SD memory card storage and begins the upload. This is handy for people who select to automatically save all snapped photos to their SD card media storage immediately in order to preserve the internal storage space on their mobile device.