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Google recently updated the Photos service on the Web with adjustments to the editing tools. Now the Android app for the service is getting improvements as well. Among these are big changes for the Assistant and Collections areas, as well as tweaks to in-app navigation.
Version 1.15 of Google Photos is still rolling out. If you want to skip the wait, grab a copy of the app from APKMirror. Make sure to download the version that matches the DPI (find the value with this app) of your device. The downloaded file will replace your current version. Once you’re on version 1.15, here’s what you need to know:
The Assistant tab is no longer the lonely white space that only offers automagic creations, photo reminders of yesteryear, or app news. After the update, buttons to create new albums, collages, animations and movies will be moving in to keep those features company.
Enlarge ImageNicole Cozma/CNET
Over in the Collections area…wait, Albums? Yep, Google has finally renamed Collections to Albums, which should be less confusing for new and current users. There’s also a new carousel row at the top of the Albums tab, which lets you access shared albums, people, places, videos, movies, etc.
Enlarge ImageNicole Cozma/CNET
You may also notice that these two options — Assistant and Albums — along with the primary shortcut to view all of your photos, have moved out of the slide-out menu on the left. Instead, they have a new home in the navigation bar the bottom of the screen. The latest version of the Google+ app uses the same bar, but it disappears once you start scrolling. This one doesn’t do that…yet.
In addition to the menu change, the ability to swipe between sections of the app has been removed. This might be good or bad news, depending on what navigation methods you’re most comfortable with.
What do you think of the changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
(Via Google Photos)
