Google introduces Docs, Sheets and Slides apps for offline editing

In what seems like a trend, major technology companies are scurrying to release standalone offline document editing apps. Close on the heels of Microsoft releasing Office for iPad, Google announced on Wednesday that the company is launching new offline document editing apps - Docs, Sheets and Slides - for both the Android and iOS platforms.

Interested users can pick up Docs (Android, iOS) and Sheets (Android, iOS) immediately from Google Play and the App Store. Slides is expected to be made available soon.

These apps will work independently of the Google Drive app which is already available on both Android and iOS. In a blog, Google states that on opening the new apps users will see the most recently edited relevant Google Drive files for offline editing, which means they spend less time on searching and scrolling the main app.

While Google Drive also allows users to create and edit documents, one cannot do it offline. These new apps allow offline editing on-the-go without an Internet connection. Google mentions in the blog that users who are already using Drive will be prompted to download the new apps when they go to edit or create a document or spreadsheet in the app. Users will still be able to use the Drive app to view and organise all the documents.

Notably, Microsoft released an update on Tuesday for the Office apps on iPad which introduced the ability to print documents via AirPlay, SmartGuides in PowerPoint, and AutoFit in Excel.

Google recently also reduced subscription prices for Drive, making it way below what OneDrive and Dropbox charge.