Google Photos releases a memories widget for Android
Google Photos is finally releasing a memory widget for some Android users, following a similar widget release for iOS users last year. This widget is said to allow users to rediscover moments from Google Photos.
We know how it gets: often you take photos, and they just stay hidden on your device until you decide to clear out your gallery. Only then do you rediscover some beautiful memories that you forgot existed. This widget will change that.
Currently, it would appear that the memories widget is only being released to users with the Google Photos app v5.52.0.0387241369. This widget is also being released through a server-wide switch, so merely updating your version of Google Photos will not mean you have the feature.
Those lucky users who have so far received the widget can access it easily from within their widget picker. The default version comes in a 2x2 view. However, you can adjust the size once you’ve added it to your home screen. Once placed on your home screen, the widget will present a slideshow from your memories album, similar to the carousel found within the Google Photos app on Android.
At the moment, the widget has two options available, showing memories from this week, and from one year ago. However, there's more to come as soon as Google rolls out the support for new memories such as “Best of the Month”, “Trip Highlights,” and even “Celebrations”.
Jane Manchun Wong, notorious app detective, also revealed that Google is working on a new feature that will allow users to ask friends for photos. However, since this feature is still in development, it would probably be a few more months before we see it.
Closing words
This is a helpful feature for users who want to revisit older memories but don’t go to their gallery app that often. It automates the process of keeping these memories and showing them to the user now and again. We also suspect it’s a move from Google to get more users using the Google Photos app for Android, but we’re not complaining as long as they keep adding valuable features.
How about how to disable/prevent this feature? Some of us don’t want Machine Learning algorithms (not to say anything about commercially interested third parties) telling us what to remember. Too often, these things surface old photos or posts that are painful.