Google Photos Gets New UI, Memories And Much Awaited Map View

Google has announced an update for its Photos app that lets users manage their photos and videos.

The update includes a refreshed layout as well as a new logo. It will be rolled out for both Android and iOS devices next week.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during signing ceremony at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas (Representative Image: Reuters/ Oct, 2019)

The redesigned Google Photos now has a three-tab structure so as to simplify the user interface (UI). One tab will display photos and videos as before, another will show Library, while the Search tab has been brought to the front and center of the app for a quick access to the desired file.

Google announced the update in a recent blog post. With more than ¡°one billion¡± monthly active users of the app, Photos will now also focus on sharing memories of the users with them.

Google Photos new UI

The new UI of Google Photos

With the new UI, Google Photos will now have three tabs, namely - Photos, Search and Library.

In Photos, users will be able to normally access their photos and videos. Google, however, has tried to make it more visually appealing with larger thumbnails, auto-playing videos, and less white space between photos.

Search is a crucial function for any file library. Google realises that, especially as ¡°photo libraries have gotten bigger.¡± So Photos now has the search option front and center for a quick access to the people, places, and things.

In addition, Google has added a map view on the Search tab. With this, an interactive map view of photos and videos will be shown on the tab. Users can pinch and zoom around the globe to explore photos of their travels. In addition, the view will reveal stats like where most of the photos were taken. Note that the photos must have a location mark on them for the same. This can be enabled through the device camera, Location History, or by adding locations manually.

The third tab Library contains segregated access to folders in Photos. These include Albums, Favorites, Trash, Archive and more. For Photos users in the U.S., EU or Canada, Library will also showcase Google¡¯s Print Store, where they can purchase printed products featuring their own photos.

Shared content can be accessed with a tap on the ¡°conversation¡± button in the upper left corner.

Google Photos new Memories

Google Photos Memories

Google says that the Memories feature in Photos has become one of the most beloved features, ¡°with more than 120 million people viewing Memories every month.¡± Now, Photos will show even more memories, classified under titles like the best pics of the user or highlights from last week.

The Memories tab will now also feature Photos¡¯ automatic creations--like movies, collages, animations, stylized photos and more.

Lastly, Google is also bringing a redesigned icon for Photos. The original pinwheel design, reflecting ¡°childhood and nostalgia¡± has now been simplified for a more casual look than before.

Google will be rolling out the updates on Photos over the next week on Android and iOS.