Google Photos is rolling out a new feature that it says will help users relive some of the best memories of their life. Called ‘Memories’, the feature will use machine learning to curate collections of photos and videos from previous years and, put them on the top row of the Google Photos gallery, above the most recent images. According to Google, the feature will enable users to see the best photos “where the photos have good quality and all the kids are smiling”.
‘Memories’ is basically Google’s version of Instagram Stories, and the company acknowledges that in its official blog. “While you might recognize this stories format from social media, these memories are your personal media, privately presented to you so you can sit back and enjoy some of your best moments”, said Google. In case users don’t want to revisit any particularly painful memory from the past, they’ll have the option to hide certain people or time periods, and will also be able to turn this feature off entirely.
Google is also planning to make it easier for users to share photos via the Google Photos app in the coming months. According to the company, photos shared with friends and families “will now be added to an ongoing, private conversation so there’s one place to find the photos you’ve shared with each other and keep the conversation going”. Users will be able to share photos not only from the regular list, but also the ‘Memories’ lists, because, as Google says, “One of the best parts of revisiting your memories is sharing them with the people who made those moments special”.
Finally, US residents will now also be able to order photo prints directly from Google Photos and either pick them up same day at CVS Pharmacy or Walmart, or get them home-delivered, depending on the size of the photos. While the smaller, 4×6 prints, will be available for pick-up on the same day at over 11,000 locations across the US, canvas prints will be offered in three different sizes – 8×8, 12×14 and 16×20 – and, will be delivered straight to the customers’ home.
