Google Photos already lets users backup and view an unlimited number of high-resolution photos and videos for free, and Google recently added a button that lets users manually purge downloaded content to make room for more free storage. There’s a new update awaiting Google Photos users today that adds support for the latest software and hardware features on iPhones and iPads.
Today’s update enhances the experience by adding support for backing up and viewing Live Photos shot on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Live Photos are full-resolution images that also contain sound and motion just before and after the still photo was captured. Starting with iOS 9.1, developers have been able to support Live Photos in third-party apps, and we’ve seen big players like Tumblr and Facebook slowly add support.
In addition to Live Photo support, Google Photos has also been updated to support iOS 9’s Split View feature for multitasking. This means you can now use Google Photos side-by-side with other apps that support Split View on the iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2, and iPad Pro. Speaking of iPad Pro, Google Photos is now native solution on the 12.9-inch tablet introduced back in November; previously the app would scale up without displaying in the full resolution. Google recently updated YouTube to support iPad Pro resolution as well, although Google Docs apps are still not optimized.
In the full release notes, Google also says that navigation has been improved to reduce the need for hamburger buttons as often:
What’s New in Version 1.8.0
• Improved app navigation, so you can spend less time flipping hamburger menus
• Back up and view Live Photos
• Reduced cache usage when your device is low on space
• iPad Split View and iPad Pro support
• Performance improvements
Google Photos is available for free on the App Store; you can upgrade your Google Drive storage to store full-resolution photos.
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And we have to wait until Sept to get an update of Apple photos ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Why Apple apps only are updated WITH iOS updates??? Come on Apple!!
I have to admit that I am a bit frustrated Apple not making any useful changes to their iCloud around fotos. The whole concept here is half baked at bast esp. around foto sharing within the family. I have yet to find a good way to upload fotos from different family members, have them in the same folder and share them amongst everyone. Google seems to be much further in that aspect and I am still hoping that Apple will finally catch up.
I’m actually the most excited about the reduced cache size. If anyone has ever looked at the cache size of their Google Photos, it was pretty outrageous. I had about 1.2 GB of space being used from cache. I’m hoping this update solved that problem.
I want to se Googe Photos on Apple TV! Please make it for tvOS – that would be killer app! No need for any other photos service ever.