Google Photos got an update, and it helps users save just a bit more space.
Unlike the previous update that was more superficial than functional – though some users were annoyed that Google removed the ability to swipe between screens – this update allows for fully reversible and non-destructive editing.
Google Photos for Android now lets users save even more space on their device and/or in the cloud whenever they manipulate their images using the app.
In the past, editing an image and saving that edited image would create a copy of the original image. Essentially, two images would be created – the original and the edited version – that would then take up twice as much space.
This wasn't the best solution, especially for those of us stuck with handsets with just 8 GB or 16 GB of storage. The obsessive compulsive ones among us would also have some extra work to do by having to always delete the original photo.
Update version 1.17 for Google Photos solves that problem. No matter what users do to a photo – applying layers upon layers of filters or excessive cropping – the app will always save the original photo and can bring it back just like as it was the moment it was taken with just a tap.
Once users update their Google Photos app, the first time they attempt to edit an image and save it, the app will reveal a popup saying their changes will no longer create a copy of their photo and that they can undo their edits in the menu.
It's really that simple, too. If a user decides that they want to bring back the original image of an edited photo, tapping into the overflow menu (those three dots on the upper right hand corner) and selecting "Undo edits" will do it.
This new feature is very similar to non-destructive editing options found in more robust image editing applications such as Photoshop. How it works is that Google Photos app simply keeps the original image file "inside" the edited image file. Unfortunately, however, going back to the original image also means losing the edited version.
Certainly, Google can't please everyone, and there will definitely be some who won't appreciate losing their edits just to get back their original image.
