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Google Unveils Exciting Upgrade for Google Photos, but There's a Catch
Google introduces Google Photos support to Android's photo picker, allowing access to both local and cloud-based images. The photo picker combines local and cloud-based pictures into a single interface, including albums created on Google Photos. Limited app adoption of the photo picker may hinder widespread use of the upgrade.
Google has announced a much-needed upgrade for Google Photos that aims to make accessing and sharing your pictures and videos easier and more secure. The tech giant is introducing Google Photos support to Android's built-in photo picker, allowing third-party apps to access your photos and videos stored locally and in the cloud.
In a recent post on the Android Developers Blog, Google explained that the photo picker will now combine your local and cloud-based images into a single interface. Additionally, any albums you have created on Google Photos will also be accessible through the photo picker. If you have marked any cloud-based images as favorites, they will appear in a dedicated collection at the top of the picker.
This upgrade brings convenience and organization to the photo selection process. However, there's a catch. The use of the Android photo picker is currently optional, and unfortunately, only a limited number of apps have implemented it. This means that unless more apps adopt this feature, users may not be able to take full advantage of the upgrade.
To access the photo picker, one way is to use Google's default Messages app. When attaching a photo, you will notice a "Folders" button, which will launch the photo picker. If your photo picker has received the update, you will see a message indicating that "Cloud photos are now available."
However, if you try the same process with an app that doesn't support the photo picker, like Instagram, you will only be able to view photos and videos stored locally on your device. You won't have access to your Google Photos library or be able to see your favorite images. To post on Instagram directly from Google Photos, you will need to switch to the Google Photos app and either share it to Instagram from there or download it to your device first and then upload it to Instagram.
It's important to note that currently, Google Photos is the only cloud media platform supported in the photo picker. However, Google is hoping to see other apps and services join in the future. They have launched a pilot program where OEMs can nominate up to three apps for inclusion in the photo picker. Unfortunately, users can only have one cloud provider active at a time, so they won't be able to mix and match between different providers.
The new photo picker upgrade is being rolled out with the February Google System Update, which requires Android version 12 or higher. As more apps adopt this feature, users will have a seamless experience accessing and sharing their photos and videos from Google Photos.
Google introduces Google Photos support to Android's photo picker, allowing access to both local and cloud-based images.
The photo picker combines local and cloud-based pictures into a single interface, including albums created on Google Photos.
Limited app adoption of the photo picker may hinder widespread use of the upgrade.
Source: FORBES