Major updates coming to Google Photos and Google Keep
Google is rolling out several new updates for Google Photos and Google Keep, aimed at improving functionality and user experience. These changes will include a new “Timeline” feature in Google Photos, enhanced image-sharing tools, and a new handwritten notes format in Google Keep.
Google Photos: Memories Replaced by Timeline
Google Photos is undergoing significant changes in its latest updates. In version 7.5 of the app, Google has officially replaced the “Memories” tab with a feature called “Timeline.” This shift eliminates the Memories tab, leaving users with three main tabs—Photos, Collections, and Search.
Even though the Memories name is gone, the functionality remains under the new “Timeline” feature, now located in the Collections tab. Essentially, Timeline offers the same functionality as Memories, showing your older photos and videos in a similar format, ensuring that cherished moments aren’t lost. This update simplifies navigation without sacrificing the experience of revisiting older content.
This change follows a series of enhancements Google Photos has introduced over the past year, such as AI-powered editing tools and the Ask Photos feature, which helps improve photo organization.
Enhanced Photo Sharing Feature: UI Overhaul
In addition to the Timeline feature, Google Photos is preparing a new image-sharing function that will allow users to enhance their photos before sending them to others. This feature has been under development for a while, but the latest changes reveal a completely redesigned user interface (UI).
The new UI streamlines the enhancement process. Instead of using filters like “Warm” or “Cool,” users will now only have the “Enhance” toggle. This toggle instantly adjusts the vibrancy of the image, making it more intuitive to see the difference between the original and enhanced version. Previously, users had to hold down on the image to see the original photo, but now it’s much easier to switch between the two.
Alongside these enhancements, Google Photos has added options for cropping, rotating, flipping, and making other fine adjustments before sharing images. These improvements make the sharing process more efficient, giving users more control over how their photos look when shared with friends or family.
While this feature is still being tested, further updates may come as Google fine-tunes the experience. These improvements aim to streamline and simplify photo sharing, offering a seamless way to enhance and adjust images before sending them.
Google Keep: Handwritten Notes Feature and New Design
Google Keep, another popular app for note-taking and reminders, is also set to receive a major update. Version 5.24 of the app is introducing a new format for handwritten notes. Users will soon be able to combine handwriting, images, and text in a more structured way to brainstorm, sketch, or capture ideas. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer using a stylus or touchscreen.
Unlike the current drawing format in Keep, this new format for handwritten notes will stand alone in the app, rather than being an add-on to text notes. Users will be able to adjust stroke width using a new slider and choose from various grids and lines such as dot grids, ruled lines, or none. There’s also a new color picker for personalizing notes.
The new handwritten notes can be exported as PDFs, which adds a level of flexibility for users who want to save or share their notes in a more accessible format.
Google Keep is also working on a broader redesign of its homescreen, though this has yet to launch. The new design will bring Material 3 elements, making the interface more adaptable for tablets and foldable devices.
Conclusion
The upcoming updates for Google Photos and Google Keep are set to bring major improvements to both apps. Google Photos will offer a more streamlined way to browse and enhance images with its new Timeline feature and revamped photo-sharing tools. Meanwhile, Google Keep’s new handwritten notes format and homescreen redesign are designed to make note-taking more intuitive and flexible. These updates will enhance the overall user experience, whether you’re managing photos or taking notes.
Google Wallet can now store digital versions of your US passport! This can be used for domestic travel security checks at TSA checkpoints if your state doesn’t offer a digital ID yet.
Here’s how to add your passport to Google Wallet:
- Open the Google Wallet app on your Android phone (version 9 or later).
- Tap “Add to Wallet” and then “ID” followed by “ID Pass.”
- Follow the steps to scan your passport information page and the security chip inside the back cover.
- Record a short video of yourself for verification.
Important things to remember:
- This digital passport isn’t a replacement for your physical passport, so always carry both when traveling.
- It currently only works for domestic travel within the US.
- If you lose your phone, you can remove the digital passport from your Google account.
Pixel phones get new features to improve battery health!
The latest update lets you set a charging limit of 80% to slow down battery degradation. There’s also a hidden feature called “bypass charging” that might be even more helpful.
What is bypass charging?
With bypass charging, when your battery reaches 80%, your phone will continue to use power directly from the charger instead of the battery. This reduces wear and tear on the battery, especially while gaming or using demanding apps.
Is bypass charging available on all Pixel phones?
It’s not entirely clear yet. The 80% charging limit works on many Pixel models, but bypass charging has only been confirmed on the Pixel 8 Pro so far. It likely works on Pixel 8, 8a, and the Pixel 9 series too, but Google hasn’t officially confirmed this.
Pixel Screenshots get smarter!
The latest update for Pixel Screenshots on Pixel 9 phones integrates with Gboard. Now, when you take a screenshot that includes a movie, song, or product, Pixel Screenshots remembers that information.
How does this help?
For example, if you screenshot a song title and then open a music app, Gboard might autofill the song name for you. This feature is called “proactive recall.”
Other Pixel Screenshots updates:
- The image viewer now suggests more search terms based on your screenshots.
- The app automatically categorizes your screenshots (this might take some time).
- You can easily save a specific part of a screenshot with “Circle to Search.”
This update also brings new features to Gboard, including a sticker pack and the ability to browse Emoji Kitchen combinations.
Gemini Gets a Mini Makeover:
- The website’s text field now looks like the mobile app.
- The Android app now shows your Gemini model type (like “1.5 Pro”).
40 New Templates for Google Docs:
- Google Docs has added new, modern templates for various uses like business proposals or meeting notes.
- These templates are designed to save you time by providing a starting point for your document.
- You can find them by going to File > New > From template gallery.
Customize Your Google Messages Profile:
- Google Messages now lets you easily edit your profile information, including name and picture.
- This helps people you message recognize you better.
More to Come:
- Google says to expect even more new Docs templates in the future.
- Google Messages’ profile feature is rolling out to everyone soon.
Some Pixel users who have updated to Android 15 QPR1 have noticed a strange visual bug. The update seems to be mixing up the light and dark themes for app icons.
For example, if your phone is set to light mode, you might see app icons appear in their dark mode versions. Conversely, if your phone is in dark mode, you might see light mode app icons. This can make the phone’s interface look inconsistent and a bit jarring.
This issue is particularly noticeable with themed icons, which are designed to match the system’s color scheme. However, due to this bug, they appear in the opposite color scheme, creating a visual mismatch.
While this is a minor bug, it can be quite annoying for users who prefer a consistent look and feel on their devices. Fortunately, Google is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. It’s likely that this bug will be addressed in a future update.
In the meantime, users will have to wait patiently for a resolution. While there’s no official workaround at the moment, some users have reported that switching between different accent colors and then reverting back to the original color scheme might temporarily fix the issue. However, this is not a guaranteed solution and may vary depending on the device and Android version.
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