With every new update, the arrangements in software and tools change to make it better for customer use. Google Photos app seems to be following this policy quite often. The latest update rolled out for Google Photos app intends to make it easier for users to put their recent images in new albums. How? When a person returns from an event or trip, Google Photos will automatically compile and suggest an album of your latest photos so that you have a story crafted out from it.
The arrangements and features in an app are changed over time to make it better for customer use. Building upon this, Google has introduced new features in Google Photos app for people struggling to manage their photos and videos.
New features in Google Photos app for iOS and Android
The very first change you’ll notice in the app when you launch it is the changed icon. The original Google Photos icon designed was inspired by a pinwheel. The same icon has been refreshed and simplified.
Secondly, the new Google Photos app intends to make the app simple for use. So, it brings a search front-and-center with a new three-tab structure. Also, photos and videos have received more prominence. Apart from these, there’s a change in
- Three-tab structure
- Revamped Search function
- New Library feature
- Map View
- Memories function
Let’s explore the above-mentioned features in a bit detail!
1] Three-tab structure
In comparison to the earlier version which supported 4 tabs (Photos, Albums, For You, Sharing), the new Google Photos app has a three-tab structure – Photos, Search, and Library. The Sharing feature has been changed into a function and the ‘For You’ tab has been removed completely.
The latest update rolled out for Google Photos app intends to make the app simple for use. It also brings a search front-and-center with a new three-tab structure. Photos tab, as always, stores all your photos and videos, but now you’ll see larger thumbnails, auto-playing videos, and less white space between photos. Also, under the tab, you can find both, old favorites and recent shots.
2] Revamped Search function
As photo libraries continue to grow larger in size, the search function has become increasingly important. For this reason, Google has put search front and center to give you quick access to the People, Places, and things that matter to you. To be precise, the tab displays the people and pets who appear almost regularly in your photos and videos.
3] New Library feature
The Library tab represents a collection of the most important destinations in your photo library, like Albums, Favorites, Trash, Archive, and more. It has a print store that allows you to readily turn photos into prints and books. The store currently will be visible only to the U.S., EU, or Canadian customers.
4] Map View
Google says that as a part of the new search tab, the app users will see an interactive map view of their photos and videos. It has been one of the most requested features. The newly added capability will support gestures like pinch and zoom around the globe to explore photos of travels, find the location where you’ve taken maximum photos (A gentle tap on ‘view all’ option under ‘Places’ will present you with a grid of locations). If you do not want it to be enabled, simply disable the ‘Location History’ and ‘camera location permission’
5] Memories
If you have been a long-time Google photos user, you will notice that the ‘For You’ tab has been replaced by ‘Memories’. It’s a collection of some of your best photos and videos whether from recent weeks or previous years. To access it, tap ‘Photos’ and select a memory from the top. All your things like collages, styled photos, and animations will be visible under it. You can view it as a sort of a private archive of your old photos that you browse like Instagram Stories.
Memories feature is available for iOS and Android devices only. As such, if you are using the web version of the Google Photos app, it will not be available to you.
And you can always access your shared content by tapping on the “conversation” button in the upper left corner.
Lastly, there’s a messaging like feature called Conversations, seen as a speech bubble at the top of the app. When clicked, it will show you a list of photos that you’ve shared, along with any conversations you’ve had with your friends, if any.
Google hopes the app users will like the new change and its simplified Google Photos experience.
Please note that if the changes are not visible to you, do not worry! Google will roll out the update over the coming weeks, worldwide.
Related Read: How to add Google Photos to Photos App in Windows 10.
