Google bolsters iOS productivity suite with Slides, updates to Docs and Sheets

Google Slides joins word processor Google Docs and spreadsheet solution Google Sheets to complete the usual trifecta of productivity apps seen in suites like Microsoft Office and Apple's iWork.

As noted by Google, Slides allows users to create, edit and collaborate on presentations directly from any compatible iOS device. In addition to on-device content creation, the free app connects to Google's cloud for Web-based editing and sharing across multiple platforms.

Like Google Docs and Google Sheets, Slides supports real-time collaboration and persistent document saving. An offline work mode also comes built-in, while Microsoft PowerPoint files can be opened, edited and saved. Finished projects can be presented directly from an iOS device, much like Apple's Keynote.

In addition to Slides, Google rolled out updates to Docs and Sheets, both expanding support for files originating from Microsoft's Office suite of apps. The latest version of Docs lets users open, edit, and save Microsoft Word files, while Sheets can now do the same with Microsoft Excel files. Users of Google's spreadsheet creation app can also view charts, insert formulas and use find/replace tools.

Google Slides is a free 61.5MB download from the iOS App Store. Google Docs and Google Sheets are also free and come in at 50.4MB and 82.3MB, respectively.