The estimated reading time for this post is 3 minutes
Google Photos announced a cool new feature that will turn your 2D photos into 3D automatically. This feature, called Cinematic Photos, is being rolled out and should appear in the updated app later this month.
Several other new features are also being launched by Google Photos this month to make your Memories more memorable. Improved collages will give a new look to your photos. And Google Photos will begin gathering favorite people, things, and activities in Themed Memories to remind you of your favorite moments.
While these new features can be an exciting way to relive your favorite memories, they may be features you want to turn off. More on that below…
3D Photos
Google Photos is rolling out 3D photos, also known as Cinematic Photos. With the update, the Memories section of the Google Photos app will show your photos in 3D. Cinematic Photos will add depth to your photos, making them seem more life-like.
Jamie Aspinall, Product Manager of Google Photos explains the new feature, “we use machine learning to predict an image’s depth and produce a 3D representation of the scene—even if the original image doesn’t include depth information from the camera. Then we animate a virtual camera for a smooth panning effect—just like out of the movies.”
Here’s an example from Google Photos converting a 2D photo into a 3D Cinematic Photo.
According to Google Photos, this new feature will be rolled out to users this month in an update to the app.
New Collages
Google Photos is also adding new collages. Using AI (artificial intelligence), Google Photos will find photos that are similar and create collages with new backgrounds and fonts.
You may see Then and Now photo collages, or collages filled with photos having similar color or themes.
These new collages began rolling out last month from Google Photos.
New Themed Memories
The Memories section of Google Photos will have new themes called Themed Memories. In addition to showing you photos of your favorite people, places, and pets, Memories will also show you photos of your favorite activities and subjects. If you take a lot of photos of sunsets, boats, hiking, or other subjects, Google Photos will show you Themed Memories of those.
Themed Memories will be rolling out soon in an update to the Google Photos app.
How to Turn Off These New Features and Why You May Want to
As cool as these new Google Photos features are, you may want to turn them off.
Why?
Google Photos will be ending its generous unlimited storage on June 1, 2021. Beginning that date, your photos stored in Google Photos will count against your free 15 GB Google storage limit. Read more about this storage change at Google Blog, Updating Google Photos’ storage policy to build for the future
That new storage limit for Google Photos includes photos stored in Google Photos after June 1, 2021, as well as Gmail and Google Drive.
3D photos, collages, and other Memories take up extra space in Google Photos, causing you to use up your free space faster. If you choose to pay for extra Google storage and/or have plenty of space to spare, you may want to leave these new features turned on after June 21.
But if you find you’re low on storage, you may want to turn off these new features, at least after June 21. You can always change your mind later and adjust your Google Photos settings to add these features back in your app.
How to Turn Off 3D Photos, Collages, and Other Memories in Google Photos
To turn off 3D photos and collages in the Google Photos app, open the app and tap on your profile picture. Tap Photos settings => Memories => Advanced.
There you can choose what types of Memories Google Photos creates for you. Turn off any you don’t want using up your storage.
To turn off Themed Memories, in the Google Photos app, open the app and tap on your profile picture. Tap Photos settings => Memories => Featured memories. Turn off Themed Memories.
From the Memories section in Settings, you can also turn off Memories for specific people, pets, and dates.
Your Thoughts
Which of these new Google Photos features are most exciting for you? Will you be turning any of these new features off in Google Photos? Will Google Photos ending unlimited free photo storage affect how you use Google Photos?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
I think that a lot of computing power is necessary to turn 2D to 3D photos, not quite sure it will be done within the server or locally on the device. Though, this new feature will be simply amazing, can wait to see it in action.
Hi Carolyn
First of all happy new year. Hope you have entered this new year in good health.
I am looking forward to see this new feature in action with my own pictures, but also glad that I have the option to disable this feature if I don’t like it.
wow, can’t wait for these features to come. that’s a nice functionality I must say that
Hi Stacy, Yes, the 3D feature is very cool. I look forward to getting it soon in Google Photos.
That’s an awesome feature. cant wait. it will be useful for interior design as well.
Hi Emma, Great point. It will be interesting to see whether the 3D effect is only for photos of people or if it will work on elements of home design. I hope it’s launched soon so we can find this out.
The 3D effect is undoubtedly the headliner here. Not sure how good it’ll be in practice, but looking forward to finding out. Glad I got a Pixel 5 now (as far as I’m aware Google is still honouring its unlimited photo storage for newer Pixel owners).
Hi Robbie, Yes, the 3D effect is very cool. The updated app hasn’t arrived on my iPhone yet, but I look forward to trying the 3D effect when it is released.
Google Photos has so many useful features, I personally can’t see giving it up. I imagine I will begin paying for storage at some point if these features continue to be available.
You have a good point. By charging for photo storage, Google may increase sales of their Pixel phones. Unlimited photo storage is a major benefit of those phones.