Mini previews feature being tested in Google Photos in place of Top Shot
Top Shot is one of the best features on Google Photos for Android devices. This feature used to be represented by a simple text option, but it appears Google is testing new ways of representing this feature with mini previews.
The Top Shot option is beneficial because it lets you choose a better photo from a range of similar ones you’ve taken. It has been around since Pixel 3 was launched and has remained a steady and useful feature of Google Photos since then. There is also the suggestion chip that pops up to remind you to make use of the feature. This text chip could soon be replaced by a row of mini previews instead, as a few users recently started seeing this feature.
This is not available on all Android devices yet, pointing to Google still testing the feature and seeing how it performs before deciding to roll it out to all users. Currently, as is the case with most users, you need to tap on the text reminder chip. Then you are taken to the Top Shot UI, which shows other photos you may have taken with a burst or as part of a motion photo. From here, you can replace your image with a better one from the options provided.
The new feature being tested shows these photos as mini previews on the screen where the text chip used to be. This is a great visual representation of the tool, which clearly shows you more photos you could use. However, I can’t help but wonder if it takes away from urging users to choose a better option. It is much less evident that Google thinks there is a better photo that you can use. Also, it does remind me of the burst mode UI, which can be confusing for some users.
At the moment, it would appear that this is just a feature that Google is testing. It is also not the only one being tested, as some users have reported seeing a ‘Swipe up for Top Shot’ message before instead of the static text chip.
Closing words
It would appear that Google is testing a minim preview feature instead of the Top Shot suggestion chip. We currently have no idea if this feature will actually be released to Google Photos, but do keep an eye open for it.
