Google Photos is getting a couple of long-awaited features that make it even better. The company is enhancing the service’s search system so that it can understand phrases in natural language. Additionally, “Ask Photos” is now available to some Google Photos users in the form of early access.
Google Photos search system is now much more powerful
The Google Photos search system is one of its most appreciated features. However, considering all the capabilities that AI has demonstrated, many users agree that it could significantly improve. The current search system is based on keywords or phrases to get related results. However, sometimes it could be difficult to find a keyword that would bring you a specific photo.
Google was aware of the problem, so it improved the Photos search system. Now, instead of just using “robot-style” keywords or phrases, you can use phrases in more natural language. For example, let’s say you want to find photos of yourself with your friend named Alice. Instead of using “Alice,” you can use the phrase “Alice and me laughing.”
Google offers other example phrases like “Kayaking on a lake surrounded by mountains” and “Emma painting in the backyard.” This is a big deal, as it makes it much easier to find very specific pictures among hundreds or thousands. Additionally, you can now sort results by date or relevance. It’s surprising that the latter wasn’t possible before, but better late than never, right?
Google Photos’ Ask Photos early access begins; first in the US
The other big Google Photos-related announcement is the start of Ask Photos early access. As an early access feature, Ask Photos is currently only available in English to a select group of users in the United States. If you’re not aware, Ask Photos is the result of Gemini’s integration into Google Photos. If you thought the enhanced search capabilities were impressive, the new feature goes even further.
Ask Photos allows you to ask very specific Google Photos questions using natural language. While this sounds similar to enhanced search, it’s actually something much deeper. Photos’ integration with Gemini makes it capable of understanding conversational prompts. It allows you to not only find pictures but also extract data from them according to your requirements. You can also ask questions about situations or moments you experienced.
For example, Ask Photos supports questions like “Where did we camp last time we went to Yosemite?” For instance, you can ask “Where did we camp last time we went to Yosemite?” or “What did we eat at the hotel in Stanley?” You can even ask something like, “What’s my car’s license plate number?”. The original May announcement demonstrated that Ask Photos can create memories using chronologically sorted images. For example, you could ask for photos to show your child’s progress in learning to swim.
There is no date yet for the widespread rollout of Ask Photos. However, you can sign up here to be on the early access waitlist.
