Google Photos may get this Instagram-like feature for all your memories

If you’ve been a part of the Android ecosystem, Google Photos is perhaps the best tool to keep your memories in one place. Everything beginning from your first grainy selfie to those meticulously crafted #OOTDs — the app has a treasure trove of just about everything.

Google Photos, today, has plenty of features to look back at media from years ago. Some of these include highlights based on people, places and even a particular year. However, reports suggest that the brand may be working on a feature, which mirrors Instagram stories, and allows users to collaborate with their friends as well. Dubbed ‘My Week’, here’s everything you need to know:

Google Photos 'My Week' feature: What's new?

According to a report published by Android Authority, Google Photos is testing a feature titled ‘My Week’ and users will soon be able to select photos to add to the highlight. The feature will typically resemble an Instagram story card and was discovered by code sleuth AssembleDebug.

Once rolled out to a larger audience, users will be able to see ‘Introducing My Week’ in the top left corner with your Google profile photo. You will also see a ‘+’ sign prompting you to set up the feature and add photos to this highlight. According to the report, Google has introduced this feature to ‘bring your last couple of weeks to life’ or simply to ‘bring a smile to your face’.  

ALSO READ: 15 years of Android: How Google’s OS spearheaded the rise of smartphones

The report further states that Google will also allow users to collaborate and encourage friends to view the highlight. On tapping it, they will be able to view it in a vertical format, much like they can on Meta’s popular photo and video-sharing smartphone app: Instagram.

What’s more, you will also be able to leave comments and likes on your friend’s photo ‘story’, making it an interactive experience for users on the app.

When will 'My Week' be available for Google Photo users?

The feature is currently in its testing phase and it is hard to tell if it will make it to the stable version of the app anytime soon. However, you can always come back to Unboxed by Croma for any more developments or news.

In other news, Google has also introduced a new data transfer tool that makes it significantly easier for users to switch between Google Photos and iCloud. The tool, co-developed by Apple, was introduced to make sure migrating your memories is no longer a hassle. The Data Transfer initiative by the two companies makes for a welcome change and also opens up the door for a lot more collaborative opportunities in the future.