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.
YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature called “Stable volume” to make your listening experience better. This option helps keep the sound level the same across all songs, so you won’t have to turn the volume up or down when switching tracks.
Sometimes, songs are louder or softer depending on how they were made. This new feature fixes that by adjusting each track so that all music plays at a similar volume. It’s especially useful when you’re using headphones or listening in the car.
You can find this option in the YouTube Music app by going to Settings > Playback & restrictions, where you’ll see a switch for “Stable volume.” It works for both free and Premium users, and it’s now appearing on Android devices (version 7.07 or later). iOS support may come soon, but it’s not available yet.
This is a welcome update, as many streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music already have similar volume balancing tools. It helps make playlists and albums sound smoother and more enjoyable without constant volume changes.
So far, the feature is being released in stages, so you might not see it right away, but it should show up soon for everyone.
Android
Android 16 beta adds battery health info, Pixel Fold gets better at detecting opens and closes
Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.
At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.
These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.
Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.
Google is working on Android 16, and it looks like the update could bring more color to the always-on display (AOD) feature on Pixel phones. Right now, the AOD mostly shows white text on a black screen. But a new setting found in the Android 16 Developer Preview hints at the ability to add colors to this display.
The new feature is called “AOD Preview,” and it includes a switch labeled “Color AOD.” While this setting doesn’t work yet, it suggests that Google might be planning to show colorful content even when the screen is in low-power mode.
This change could make AOD look more lively, maybe by adding color to the clock, notifications, or wallpaper. So far, it’s not clear exactly what will change or how customizable it will be, but the feature seems to be in early testing.
Samsung already has more colorful AOD options on its Galaxy devices, so this update could help Pixel phones catch up. Google often introduces new features first on Pixel devices before making them available to other Android phones.
Android 16 is still being developed, and many features are not ready yet. But if Color AOD becomes part of the final release, Pixel users could get a more vibrant and useful always-on display in the near future.
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