How is Google Drive different from Google Docs?

Most people are familiar with the web-based office suite, Google Docs, a productivity application which allows users to create, edit, organize, store, and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. Google Docs also enables real-time collaborative viewing and editing of files.

In April 2012, Google released Google Drive, a cloud file storage and synchronization service. In addition to their Google Docs files, users of Google Drive can now store and share media files like music, movies, and photos virtually in the cloud. With Google Drive, users can access their Google Docs as well as their other files from any device, including tablets and smart phones.

Google Drive also has advanced search capabilities and organization features that enable easy file location. Even more, from a web browser, users of Google Drive can open and view approximately 30 different file types, without necessarily having the software related to the file installed on their device. So, while Google Docs allows online document creation and collaboration, Google Drive provides users with the many benefits of cloud storage.