An impending revamp of Google Photos app is expected to significantly enhance its usability on tablets. Allegedly, the update will optimize the application to better exploit the screen estate in landscape view.

Reimagining Google Photos

This scoop comes courtesy of Nail Sadykov, a renowned industry insider who operates the unaffiliated Google News Telegram channel. The leaked images shared by Sadykov depict a redesigned Google Photos interface that bears striking resemblance to Adobe Lightroom’s tablet layout. This includes a bifurcated display with the image on the left and a six-section editing toolbox on the right. Despite the redesign, it seems the existing editing features such as adjusting shadows or tweaking aspect ratios will remain unchanged. The redesign’s objective, apparently, is to facilitate more accurate edits by making full use of the screen. However, Sadykov affirms that the portrait mode will remain unchanged.

Currently, Google Photos on tablets is basically an enlarged version of the mobile app. While this narrow interface works well for smartphones, it results in a considerable amount of unused space on larger screens, particularly in landscape mode.

As of now, there’s no confirmation regarding when this redesign will be launched or even if it will be rolled out at all. Sadykov asserts that these updates can be activated in the “latest version of the Google Photos app,” but they are currently “hidden from users,” hinting at possible ongoing internal tests.

Breathing new life into old apps

This proposed redesign aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts since Google I/O 2022 to optimize its older applications for tablets. These efforts have already brought about updates for several Google Workspace apps like Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets, enhancing their functionality on large Android screens. These updates have introduced new features such as drag-and-drop file management. Google Drive, for instance, received “several modernizations” in March that made file details easier to view on screen.

Meanwhile, Google I/O 2023 is set to take place tomorrow, May 10. The event will feature the unveiling of Google’s inaugural foldable phone, the Google Pixel Fold. We are also hoping for news about the official release date of the long-awaited Pixel Tablet. So make sure to stay tuned for our coverage of Google I/O 2023 as the event unfolds.

Google Photos vs other photo editing apps

While this update is aimed specifically at Google Photos, it’s worth noting the competitive landscape of photo editing apps. The redesign appears to make Google Photos more similar to Adobe Lightroom’s tablet interface, a strategic move given Lightroom’s popularity among professional photographers. However, Google Photos’ strength lies in its integration with other Google services, offering a seamless experience across platforms. This potentially gives it an edge over standalone apps, and this upcoming redesign could further bolster that advantage.

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