Google Photos is set to receive an update that will give users access to a range of creative tools, including an in-built collage editor, as well as a new Memories feature with brand-new cinematic visual effects and music support. The company announced the changes earlier this week. It will be rolled out to users as part of a major upgrade to Google Photos’ Memory feature, which was first introduced to users in 2019. The search giant also revealed that the Memories feature now has over 3.5 million monthly views.
company announced blog post That it was revamping its Memories feature that lets users look back on a timeline of old photos through a cinematic audio-visual experience, similar to Stories and Memories on Instagram and Facebook. According to the company, Memories from Google Photos will now automatically select and trim the best snippets using machine learning.
Google also says that the updated version of its memory feature will also start using instrumental music. In the meantime the service will compile multiple rendered 3D models of still photos with background music in its “Cinematic Photos” visual effects feature.
According to Google, still images in Memories will also look more impressive to users with the automatic subtle zooming video effect.
Google Photos is also adding support for an inbuilt collage editor called Styles, where users can edit collages via a grid arrangement and even add a background. The company says the Styles feature draws inspiration from old scrapbooks, where graphic art is automatically added to memories in an effort to make them pop.
Users will also be able to easily share memories, but the company says that the share feature is currently limited to Android and will soon be rolled out to iOS and the web.
Google One subscribers and Pixel phone users will be able to use additional editing features like Portrait Light or HDR in their collages, and access more than 30 additional designs. The launch will feature limited-time styles from select artists Shantel Martin and Lisa Congdon.
The company also confirmed that users will continue to have control over hiding certain people’s photos or time periods from showing up in Memories. According to Google, the latest update will be gradually rolled out to Google users in a phased manner.
