Photos app Archives

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

I simplified my Google Photos searching and editing with this trick

Google Photos has introduced a new feature called Ask Photos, which allows users to edit images using natural-language prompts instead of traditional editing tools. This feature is available for personal Google accounts in the U.S. and requires users to opt in and enable face match and location estimation. While Ask Photos simplifies the editing process, users should be cautious about privacy, as prompts will be used for training purposes, even though Google does not use photos or videos for AI training. To use Ask Photos, users must open the Google Photos app, select a photo, tap the Edit button, and enter their request in the Help me edit text field. Additionally, Google Photos provides transparency regarding edits through C2PA Content Credentials, which document the types of edits made and distinguish between original and edited photos.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Does your Google Photos app look different today? Here’s what’s changed

Google Photos has updated its Memories carousel with vibrant colors and playful card designs. The "X years ago" memories now feature bold, number-shaped cutouts against vivid backgrounds, while other categories like "on this day" have abstract shapes and varying background colors. The update is primarily aesthetic, with no significant changes to functionality. The rollout of the new design is gradual across various devices and countries, with many users already experiencing the update.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

5 Secret Windows 11 Features Everyone Should Be Using By Now

Windows 11 includes features for photo editing, advanced calculations, text extraction from screenshots, timezone management, and enhanced text formatting in Notepad. The Photos app allows users to remove objects and backgrounds from images using AI-powered editing tools. Users can erase objects by selecting the Erase option, adjusting the brush size, and brushing over the object. To remove backgrounds, users choose the Background option and use the Background brush tool. The Windows Calculator offers various modes for complex calculations, including Standard, Scientific, Graphing, Programmer, Date calculation, and Converter options. Users can switch modes via the hamburger icon and keep the Calculator window on top of other applications. The Snipping Tool enables users to copy text from screenshots. Users can take a screenshot with Win + Shift + S, open the Snipping Tool editor, select the Text actions icon, highlight the desired text, and choose to copy it. Windows 11 allows users to add multiple time zones in the Notification Center by accessing the Settings app, selecting Time & language, and navigating to Date & time to set additional clocks. Notepad has been updated to include basic text formatting options. Users can toggle on Formatting in Settings, adjust text size, create lists, and apply bold and italic styles, saving their work as Markdown files.

Winsage

December 1, 2025

As Windows 11 turns into an AI OS, Microsoft Copilot boss does not understand how AI is underwhelming

Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI CEO, noted user frustration with the aggressive integration of AI into Windows 11, despite the company's efforts to enhance user experience with features like Copilot, which operates on models similar to ChatGPT. Windows 11 includes various AI functionalities, such as Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision, and aims to transform the OS into an "agentic OS" with features like Copilot Actions in Microsoft Edge. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with AI being present in applications like Notepad and File Explorer, perceiving it as intrusive rather than beneficial. Microsoft 365 applications have also integrated Copilot functionalities, but concerns about safety and privacy persist. User feedback indicates a desire for more thoughtful AI integration, as many feel that AI is being applied to problems that do not exist, leading to stress and uncertainty regarding the operating system's control.

Winsage

November 22, 2025

How to manage AI actions in File Explorer on Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced AI enhancements in Windows 11, particularly in File Explorer, featuring "Ask Copilot" and "Semantic Indexing." AI actions have been added to the context menu, allowing users to perform tasks based on file types, with integration into Microsoft 365 apps, Photos, or Paint. The rollout began with the September 2025 Security Update, but users in Europe may experience delays in access. To enable AI actions in File Explorer, users should open Settings, click on Apps, select the Actions page, and turn on the AI actions. Users can engage with AI actions by right-clicking on image files (JPG, JPEG, PNG) and selecting options like Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, Remove Background, and Describe Image. If Microsoft 365 apps are installed, users can summarize documents and convert tables without opening the apps. To disable AI actions, users can follow the same steps as enabling them but turn off the AI actions instead. The "AI actions" menu will still appear, but no active features will be displayed.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s right-click menu is cluttered, confirms fix with a new UI feature

Windows 11 is set to introduce a "Split Context Menu" update for WinUI 3-based applications, aimed at reducing menu clutter and improving usability. This update will implement context-aware nested menus that adapt based on file types, allowing for a more streamlined right-click experience. The new API, SplitMenuFlyoutItem, will enable a single menu entry to display both primary actions and secondary options in a smaller adjacent flyout. This redesign could reduce menu length by up to 38% in some cases. Currently, the Split Context Menu is intended for WinUI applications, with no confirmation on whether it will extend to the entire Windows shell. The update is still in early development and not available for public testing.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Here’s what the redesigned Google Photos and Maps icons look like

Google is updating the icons for its Maps and Photos applications, moving away from the traditional four-color palette to a gradient color redesign. The Photos app will have a more minimalistic change with slightly wider petals, while the Maps icon will undergo a more significant transformation, appearing stout with a seamless blend of colors. These updates reflect a broader branding strategy initiated in May, aligning with the introduction of a new "G" logo. The updated icons were first observed on the Apple App Store, suggesting they will soon be available on the Play Store.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Google Photos could get an ‘Ask’ button to make finding memories effortless

A new "Ask" button may soon be added to the Google Photos photo viewer, allowing users to query their library without switching screens. This feature, currently in testing, uses AI to interpret conversational prompts for searching photos. Additionally, there are references to a potential "Outfits collection" that could organize wardrobe photos, possibly linked to Google’s Doppl virtual try-on technology. The Ask Photos feature is currently limited to users in the United States and accessible through a separate tab in the Photos app for eligible users. The shortcut button and the Outfits collection remain unconfirmed for a broader rollout.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Google Photos hops on the viral video train with these new templates

Google has introduced "video creation templates" in the Photos app, allowing users to create Highlight videos with pre-made formats that include music, text, and beat-matching. Users can choose to let AI select content from their camera roll or manually curate their videos. The process involves navigating to Google Photos > Create > Highlight Video, where users can select templates and edit their videos by changing music tracks, reordering clips, or removing elements. The update is rolling out on Android devices. Additionally, YouTube Shorts has launched its own version of templates to assist content creators in incorporating trending music and sound clips.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

Google To Enhance Photo Access And Privacy In Messages App With Android 16 Update

Users can access photos in the Google Messages app on Android by tapping a “plus sign [+]” button, which offers options like Gallery, Camera, GIFs, Stickers, Files, Location, Contacts, and Schedule Send. Selecting the Gallery shows recent images and videos stored locally, but accessing cloud-stored photos requires an additional tap on the Folders button. Google is working on a solution to streamline this process. The custom media picker currently requires access to the full media gallery, raising security concerns. However, with the upcoming Android 16, an embedded photo picker will allow apps to integrate a photo picker directly, showing both cloud-hosted and locally stored media without needing broad permissions. This new feature will enhance user privacy and eliminate the extra step for accessing cloud-hosted content.