Google Photos on Android could soon receive a major update that brings another redesign and several new features, the latter of which Android Authority discovered after diving into the files of Google Photos version 6.94. These potential changes run the gamut and affect various areas of the app.
First, the platform is reportedly getting two new search filters to help users find images. They’re called “Most Recent” and “Best Match” – and yes, their respective names adequately explain what they do. “Most Recent” sorts search results chronologically, with the “most recent” images (hence the name) at the top.
Best Match finds photos that “exactly match” a specific keyword. Android Authority cites an example of someone typing “flower” into the search bar and Photos then showing photos that show a flower in a frame. In addition, the company could allow scrollable albums to appear at the top of search results.
Spotlighting
Next, references to “Spotlight” were discovered in Google Photos 6.94. This tool is apparently able to automatically “edit videos down to key moments and apply effects.”
Very little is known about Spotlight at the moment. Android expert AssmebleDebug was unable to activate the software, but found some clues. He claims that the software will offer preset editing profiles that can be activated with a single tap.
AssembleDebug states that Spotlight works similarly to Video Spotlight in the Memory carousel. With this particular feature, Google Photos highlights sections of past videos and then shows them on the home screen as a “trip down memory lane.” It’s possible that the feature works similarly, but you have manual control over what to highlight.
Finally, Google could make commenting on shared albums easier. According to AssembleDebug, the app offers users a direct way to add comments via a new floating bar. Tapping the album on the screen will reveal it.
This is easier than the current method, which requires you to tap a speech bubble icon to enter the comments section before you can add your own comment. It’s a small change, but it could significantly improve user engagement.
AssembleDebug said he could enable the refactored comment section by enabling the appropriate software flag, but since the feature is still under development, we don’t recommend going into the files and flipping the switch yourself, as it may not work.
Take all this leaked information with a grain of salt. It will probably be a long time before we see any of these changes. Or Google could one day decide out of the blue to cancel all of these projects. That’s entirely possible.
While you’re here, check out TechRadar’s list of the best Android phones for 2024.
