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What you need to know
Google has introduced an “Updates” page in its Photos app, replacing the previous “Sharing” button. This new feature is designed to keep users informed about shared albums, fresh photo uploads, and updates on memories and conversations among group members. The rollout is available for users on both Android and iOS platforms, although the highly anticipated AI-driven feature titled “Ask Photos” remains forthcoming.
The company aims to enhance user engagement with this update, creating a centralized space for tracking shared content. According to information shared in a community post, the new Updates page will serve as a social hub for users exchanging photos through albums.
Accessible from a newly introduced “bell icon,” the Updates page is intended to streamline how users receive notifications and updates related to shared albums and conversations. Google emphasizes that this feature aims to enhance collaboration and social connections, notifying users when they are added to discussions or when new photos are shared by others. All conversation details can be accessed through the app’s settings.
In terms of shared albums, the Updates section will notify users about new albums and will display updates chronologically. For instance, if someone contributes a new image to an existing shared album, users will receive a timely notification. Alternatively, users can access shared albums via their Collections tab, which allows them to view albums without being distracted by ongoing conversations or recent activity.
The Updates page will also include information about partner sharing, memories, and storage capacity updates, organizing the data in a clear and accessible manner.
Notably, the content on the Updates page is presented in a chronological manner, with updates from “today” appearing first, followed by notifications from “yesterday,” “this week,” and other periods.
The rollout of the Updates page began on November 8, and users are encouraged to check for updates in the coming weeks.
Additionally, Google had previously revamped the “Library” tab within the app during the summer, replacing the older carousel layout with a more structured grid that enhances user navigation. The Locked Folder functionality has also been reorganized into a list format for improved accessibility.
While the Updates page is now operational, users are still anticipating the release of the “Ask Photos” feature. This innovative tool will allow users to interact with an AI system to locate images that may be otherwise difficult to find. Utilizing Google’s Gemini AI model, “Ask Photos” is designed to understand descriptive queries and assist users in pinpointing specific images. The company has encouraged interested users to join its waitlist for early access to the feature before its public release.
Source
www.androidcentral.com