Google announced that it will delete accounts and content for Google users that have been inactive for two years for security reasons. This includes Gmail, Google Drive data and other settings and deletion of data will not occur before December 2023.
Google user data and content can be backed up and exported using Google Takeout.
Google account users that back up new photos and videos in High quality will have these files counted towards their free 15 GB storage limit starting June 1, 2021. Google will provide a free tool in June 2021 that will let users find and review low-quality photos to stay within the free 15 GB storage limit. Additional file storage can be purchased from Google One, if needed
Another recent Google Photos change is the ability to save photo attachments in a Gmail message directly to Google Photos with a new “Save to Photos” button (JPEG images only).
Microsoft Teams is now available for home and personal use as of May 2021. Users can make personal video calls and chat using the Teams iOS, Android, web, or desktop apps.
The newly released Microsoft Office app combines Excel, Word and PowerPoint into a single app that requires less storage space to install. New features include converting images into editable Office documents, scanning and signing PDFs, scanning QR codes, and transferring files between devices.
The Office app is now available for Apple iOS and Android and is free to download.
Microsoft Office Lens is an app you can use to digitize notes from whiteboards or blackboards. The app then allows you to convert images to PDF, Word and PowerPoint files and save to OneNote or OneDrive.
Microsoft Office Lens is available for iPhone and iPad, Android, and Windows 10.
Gmail Go is a lightweight mail app that was previously available only on devices running the Android Go operating system, but now it is available for all Android users. Not all features in the Gmail app are currently in the Gmail Go, such as Google Meet.
Foxit, a maker of document and imaging software, has a free lightweight PDF Reader app for Windows, Mac, and Linux as well as mobile apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. A list of free and paid Foxit products can be found at www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads.
Android custom distributions (ROMs) are replacement operating systems for Android smartphones and tablets. This allows users to customize older devices that may not have available Android updates and extend their service life. This may erase data and void your device’s warranty. Available security updates are usually based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). More information is at
Microsoft Office apps such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are available as free downloads for iOS , Android and Windows smartphones and tablets that have a screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller. Users can view, edit and create new Office format files with these free apps once they login with a Microsoft user account, but they must subscribe to Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) to unlock all app functionality. Free web brower versions of Office apps are also available for users logged into OneDrive.
Students and teachers with a valid school email address are also eligible for the free Office 365 Education version.
Apple device users can run the iWork productivity apps, which includes Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.
Office Apps for Windows 10 Mobile will no longer be supported by Microsoft as of January 12, 2021.
Opera is currently testing its free VPN service in its Opera for Android browser. Free VPN is currently available for the Windows and Mac desktop versions of Opera for extra privacy when browsing the web, and it is especially useful when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.