Google Photos makes sharing memories easier and Google Lens enhances shopping insights

Google Photos: Share Memories as Video Files

Google Photos has introduced a new feature that simplifies sharing your favorite memories by converting them into video files. Memories, a popular feature in Google Photos, displays your past photos and videos in a story-like format. However, sharing these stories with people outside Google Photos has often been challenging—until now.

With this update, users can transform their Memories into video slideshows, complete with music, transitions, and text overlays. These video files can be shared through messaging apps or social media platforms, making it easier to connect with friends and family who don’t use Google Photos.

To use this feature, simply tap “Share memory” in the app, select your sharing destination, and Google Photos will generate the video. This functionality is available in Google Photos version 7.7.0 on Android, although it appears to be a server-side update and works on older versions as well. Google initially hinted at this feature in 2023, but its wider rollout is a welcome improvement for users seeking seamless sharing.

Additionally, a new interface within the app highlights this feature, and users are prompted about the updated sharing options when opening Memories. This update addresses long-standing user feedback and enhances the overall sharing experience.

Google Lens: Shopping Powered by Location

Google Lens, a tool that uses AI for image recognition, is making shopping smarter by incorporating location-based insights. With over 20 billion visual searches conducted monthly on Google, nearly 20% focus on shopping. To enhance these searches, Google Lens now tailors product insights based on the store you’re in.

When you capture an image of beauty products, electronics, or toys, Lens provides details like product information, price comparisons, user reviews, videos, and similar in-stock items. This feature works in stores that share their local inventory with Google, empowering shoppers with real-time information.

This capability is available on Android and iOS, provided users enable precise location permissions for the Google app. Google credits advancements in AI image recognition for this innovation. The goal is to help shoppers make informed decisions, reducing the number of people who leave stores without purchasing because of uncertainty.

Google Pay Updates: BNPL and Fraud Prevention

Google Pay is expanding its features to make online and in-store transactions more secure and flexible. Key updates include:

1. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Google Pay now supports Afterpay, with Klarna integration coming soon. These options join Affirm and Zip, enabling users to split payments conveniently.
2. Virtual Card Expansion: Google is extending its virtual card feature, which masks users’ card details during online transactions. After launching with American Express, Capital One, and Citi, Discover will now be supported for Android and Chrome users.
3. Fraud Detection Pilot: Google is testing a service to help merchants identify and block fraudulent transactions. Using a risk score, this system ensures that legitimate transactions aren’t mistakenly flagged while preventing fraudsters from using stolen financial data.