Google enhances Photos and Gmail with new face blocking, HDR preservation, and AI-powered draft polishing

Top 3 Key Points:
- Face Blocking in Google Photos: Google Photos now allows users to block specific faces from appearing in memories, providing more control over what they see.
- Ultra HDR Metadata Preservation: Google Photos update ensures Ultra HDR data is retained during edits, improving photo quality management.
- AI-Powered Draft Polishing in Gmail: Gmail introduces a “Polish” feature that turns rough notes into refined drafts, enhancing productivity.
Google is continually improving its services, and the latest updates to Google Photos reflect this commitment. The app now allows users to block specific faces from appearing in their memories. This feature comes as part of the latest Google Photos update, where the “Block face” option lets you exclude certain people from your photo memories entirely. For those who only wish to see less of someone, the “Show less” option is also available.
Hooray, basic editing of Ultra HDR photos on my Pixel 8 Pro in Google Photos, such as cropping or rotating, no longer strips Ultra HDR.
Finally!
I’m on version 6.95.0.663027175.
Previously:
– https://t.co/nTZSNwd5xa
– https://t.co/mY1BRqwbSA
– https://t.co/LG2eNCvSos
etc. pic.twitter.com/b4z1BYgsPt— Artem Russakovskii (@ArtemR) August 20, 2024
Using this feature is simple. You can access it by opening the Google Photos app, tapping your profile photo, and navigating to the “Memories” section under “Preferences” in the “Photos settings.” Here, you can choose to hide specific people or dates from your memories, ensuring a more personalized experience.
In addition to the face-blocking feature, Google has also addressed a previous issue where Ultra HDR metadata was being stripped during photo edits. With the new update, Google Photos preserves Ultra HDR information, even when edits are made, ensuring your high-quality photos retain their brilliance.
Gmail: AI-Powered Draft Polishing
Google has also enhanced Gmail with a new AI-driven feature called “Polish,” which is part of the “Help me write” function. This feature is designed to turn rough notes into fully polished drafts with just a click. Whether you’re using Gmail on the web, Android, or iOS, you can now easily refine your emails, making them more formal, detailed, or concise.
The “Polish” feature is available to users subscribed to Google One AI Premium, Gemini Business and Enterprise, and other premium Google services. By simply tapping the pencil icon in the draft toolbar, Gmail will refine your text, saving you time and effort.
These updates highlight Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience across its platforms, making its tools more intuitive, powerful, and user-friendly.
Google is preparing to add Ultra HDR image capture support to the CameraX API.
This will allow apps that utilize the CameraX API to output images in the new JPEG_R format used for Ultra HDR, on devices running Android 14.
JPEG_R is a new type of JPEG file that can contain a… pic.twitter.com/ef20uxaAm9
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) January 23, 2024
Google to invite big fans to early Pixel 10 event in June

Google is getting ready to show off its brand-new Pixel 10 smartphone, and it wants its most loyal fans to be part of the excitement. The company is planning a special event for June, before the official launch. This event is especially for “superfans”—people who really love Pixel phones and always want to try the latest tech.
At this event, Google will give these fans a close look at the Pixel 10. They might get to see new features, learn about how the phone works, and even share their thoughts with Google. This is a chance for Google to hear from fans before the phone comes out for everyone. Superfans are often the first to know about new updates and features, and Google values their feedback.
By inviting superfans early, Google hopes to make the Pixel 10 launch even better. The company wants to learn what fans like and what could be improved. This way, they can make small changes before the big release. The event is a sign that Google cares about its users and wants them to feel special.
In short, if you are a big Pixel fan, keep an eye out for an invitation to this special June event. You could be one of the first to see the Pixel 10 up close and help shape its future!
Gemini app gets new ai video maker and live camera features and Pixel Weather maps update

Google’s Gemini app is getting exciting new updates. One big change is that you can now use a new AI tool called Veo 3. This tool helps you make videos just by typing what you want. It’s part of Gemini Ultra, which is a smarter version of the AI. With Veo 3, you can create short videos easily, even if you don’t know how to edit videos.
Another new feature is called Gemini Live with Camera. Now, you can use your phone’s camera to show things to Gemini, and it will help you right away. For example, if you point your camera at a plant, Gemini can tell you what kind it is. This works on your phone’s screen, and it’s made to be easy for anyone to use.
Google is also making the weather app on Pixel phones better. Now, you can see weather maps more clearly. The app will show you detailed maps with rain, clouds, and more. This helps you plan your day better by knowing what the weather will be like.
All these updates make using Google’s apps more fun and helpful. They show how Google is always working to make things easier and smarter for everyone.
Google Wallet now fixes pin problem on wear os smartwatches

Google has fixed an issue with Google Wallet on Wear OS smartwatches that was making it hard for users to use their PIN code. Before this fix, some users found that when they tried to use Google Wallet to pay with their watch, they were not able to enter their PIN. This made it difficult or even impossible to use the payment feature.
The problem seemed to happen mostly after users updated their smartwatch software or after restarting their device. Some people also noticed it when they locked their watch and then tried to unlock it to make a payment. The issue was frustrating because users could not complete transactions without the correct PIN.
Google has now released an update for Google Wallet on Wear OS. This update solves the problem, so users can once again enter their PIN and use their watch to pay for things. The company did not say if this fix would come as a separate update or as part of a bigger system update. But users should check for updates on their smartwatch to make sure they have the latest version of Google Wallet.
This is good news for people who use their smartwatches to pay for things every day. Now, they can use their watch to pay without worrying about PIN problems. The update should make using Google Wallet on Wear OS watches easier and more reliable. If you are still having trouble, make sure your watch is updated and try restarting it.
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