Google Docs Gets Mobile Editing for Android, iPad

Google in the coming weeks will unveil mobile editing functionality for Google Docs running on Google's Android and Apple's iPad.

Google Enterprise President Dave Girouard, who noted that Google Apps now has 3 million business customers, said his team demonstrated the tools at the Google Atmosphere cloud computing event in Paris Sept. 20.

Girouard, tasked with leading the company's cloud collaboration efforts versus Microsoft, IBM and a litany of other players, wrote:

"In the next few weeks, co-workers around the world will soon be able to co-edit files simultaneously from an even wider array of devices."

Google declined to provide more specific information for eWEEK on this functionality.

However, this functionality is a welcome step up from the current mobile Docs capability, which only lets users view documents. Google CEO Eric Schmidt in April emphasized the importance of building for mobile first.

Android and iOS (OS for the iPad) are two of the hottest development platforms in the mobile market. So it makes sense that Google would want to secure more prominent placement for its Docs collaboration capabilities there.

For Google, getting any of its mobile applications running on iOS is an important feat. The platform is second to only RIM in the United States in market share, according to comScore.

More Google Apps running on the iPhone or iPad means more advertising opportunities for Google.

To wit, Google also upgraded its Google Earth for iOS app to support ocean views. Google Earth 3.2 for iOS now allows the millions of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to explore undersea terrain by swiping the screen with two fingers to pan around.

Google Earth 3.2 for iOS also offers native support for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch's retina display.

Users may download the free app from the Apple App Store or navigate to http://m.google.com/earth in their mobile browser. Or, users can scan the app's QR code here to add it.