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.