Google Photos on Android may soon be getting a major update that brings with it a new design and several new features. Android Authority discovered the latest after diving into the files of Google Photos version 6.94. These potential changes range widely and affect different parts of the app.
First, the platform would gain popularity two new search filters to help people find images. They are “Most Recent” and “Best Match” – and yes, their respective names do a good job of explaining what they do. Most Recent sorts “search results chronologically, with the most recent” images (hence the name) at the top.
Best Match finds photos that “closely match” a given keyword. Android Authority gives the example of someone typing “Flower” into the search bar, and Photos will return photos with a flower in a frame. Additionally, the company may enable scrollable albums to appear above search results, near the top.
In the spotlight
Then, evidence of “Spotlight” was discovered in Google Photos 6.94. This tool is apparently capable of automatically editing videos to “capture important moments and [applying] effects.”
Very little is known about In the spotlight right nowand while Android expert AssembleDebug couldn’t activate the software, he did find a few clues. He claims it will offer preset editing profiles that can be enabled with a single tap.
AssembleDebug suggests that Spotlight works similarly to Video Spotlight in the Memory carousel. In that particular feature, Google Photos highlights parts of previous videos and then shares them on the home screen as a “trip down memory lane” experience. It’s possible that the feature works in a similar way, but you have manual control over what you want to highlight.
Finally, Google could make it easier to comment on shared albums. AssembleDebug says the app will give users a direct way to add comments via a new floating bar. Tapping on the album on the screen will bring it up.
This is simpler than the current method, which requires you to tap a speech bubble icon to open the comments section before you can add one of your own. It’s a small change, but it could significantly improve user engagement.
AssembleDebug said that he could enable the revamped comments section by setting the appropriate software flag. However, since the feature is still in development, we don’t recommend going into the files yourself and flipping the switch, as it may not work.
Take all of this leaked information with a grain of salt. It will probably be a long time before we see any of these changes. Or Google could one day decide to cancel all of these projects out of the blue. It’s certainly possible.
Also check out TechRadar’s list of the best Android phones for 2024.
