Google Files Go

Google Files Go
Google has announced a lighter version of Android Oreo, called the Go Edition, for entry level smartphones with less than 1GB RAM and limited storage. While the operating system has been optimised to run smoothly on modest specs, Google has also decided to replace its regular set of apps such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube with their lighter ‘Go’ version.

A few of those apps have also been released for all. YouTube Go was launched a few months ago. Now, Google has released its file manager app called Files Go on the Play Store. Like most Google apps, it is free to download and use.

Basic elements of a file manager app such as the option to see the size of a folder or move files from one folder to another to free up space are already built into the Settings-> Storage in all Android smartphones running version 6.0 or higher, but with Files Go, a user can do a lot more.

One of them is the app’s small footprint, in line with the philosophy behind the Go apps.

It takes up just 13MB of space after installation, which is less than some of the popular file manager apps on Google Play Store. Asus’ File Manager app takes up 28MB while the Other File Explorers occupies 47MB of space. This will not make a big difference in mid or high-end smartphones, but will mean a lot in entry level smartphones, which offer 4GB storage out of which only half is available to user.

Too many files and folders can clutter file manager apps. Most apps still offer a conventional layout with folders lined up in a single column. This makes looking for specific files a little difficult.

Google has tried to address it by offering a different layout from what we have seen.

The homepage shows a bunch of cards similar to Google Now feeds. They provide personalised suggestions on how to free up space, which files are taking up more space than others, which apps are lying idle and have not been used in a long time. It can also detect and highlight duplicate photos or videos using Google’s mobile vision technology, which uses detectors to locate and describe visual objects in them.

The other feature that makes the Files Go stand out is the built-in file transfer tool, which lets users send/receive any file from another smartphone in vicinity (with Files Go app on it too) without involving Bluetooth or internet connection. It works on the lines of ShareIt and creates a wireless network between two devices to transfer data.