Google Photos introduces ‘Updates’ Feed; YouTube for Android TV adds quick ‘Subscribe’ button to improve user experience

In recent updates, Google Photos and YouTube for Android TV have each introduced new features aimed at enhancing user convenience and interaction. Google Photos has shifted from the former “Sharing” tab to a new “Updates” feed, while YouTube for Android TV has added a more accessible “Subscribe” button within its player interface.

Google Photos’ New ‘Updates’ Feed

Following the August switch from a “Library” to a “Collections” tab, Google Photos has now replaced its “Sharing” tab with an “Updates” feed. Previously, the “Sharing” page featured a “people” icon situated between the ‘plus’ menu and the profile icon. Users could access shortcuts like “Create shared album” and “Share with partner,” followed by an “Albums and Memories” carousel and a list of “Conversations” at the bottom.

Now, this layout has been restructured. A notification bell icon in the app bar indicates sharing activity and directs users to the new “Updates” feed. This feed organizes recent sharing actions, including shared links and conversations, streamlining the view of shared moments and memories. The overflow menu also provides direct access to:

• Sharing activity: Track shared links, shared memories, and ongoing conversations.
• Conversations: View shared discussions in one place.

This change reflects a move away from the in-app messaging function, “Conversations,” aligning with Google’s common UI pattern of a notification bell, seen across apps like Google Home, Play Store, and YouTube. Currently, the “Updates” feed rollout is available for Google Photos on Android, though not yet on iOS.

YouTube for Android TV Adds Prominent ‘Subscribe’ Button

YouTube on Android TV has introduced a more visible “Subscribe” button directly within the main player interface, allowing users to easily subscribe to channels without needing to exit the video. The Android TV version of YouTube has evolved over the past few years, adopting a dual-column layout and larger visuals designed for TV screens. These adjustments allow easier navigation with a remote instead of a touchscreen or mouse.

In this latest change, users watching a channel they aren’t subscribed to will now see a prominent “Subscribe” button within the player UI. This quick-access feature lets users instantly join channels they find interesting or valuable without multiple steps. For those already subscribed, the button won’t appear, keeping the layout cleaner for regular viewers.

Additionally, the “Like” and “Dislike” buttons, previously combined, have returned to individual icons, adding more control options within the interface. Though this may make the UI appear somewhat crowded, it serves to encourage users to subscribe while also improving their content interaction options.

These changes across Google Photos and YouTube for Android TV are part of Google’s broader strategy to streamline user interaction and engagement across its ecosystem, offering convenient and quick-access tools in both mobile and TV settings.