Google with an Instagram-like story feed dubbed "My Week" could be on the horizon, as reportedly revealed by prominent code sleuth AssembleDebug.
AssembleDebug discovered and enabled the new "My Week" feature in the most recent version of the Google Photos app. It works when hidden flags are enabled.
As shown in the images collected by AssembleDebug, when the My Week feature becomes available, it will appear on the Google Photos app as a tile on the app's upper left that reads "Introducing My Week" and includes your avatar and a '+' button.
After touching the tile, you can configure the function and select photographs that bring your recent few weeks to life or make you smile.
Once set up, you may invite other Google Photos users to your My Week. Those invited can view your weekly highlights in a vertical style, similar to Instagram stories, with the ability to like photographs and post comments.
In addition, the APK analysis reveals that Google may be shifting the Sharing activity menu to the Updates area and making a UI adjustment for the Places section, which displays a map with pins at the top.
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Google Messages' RCS Upgrade
The rumored Instagram feature in Google Photos is the latest change, following the tech giant's plans to revamp other Google products.
Google has revealed that Google Messages' previous iOS conversations would soon be supported by Rich Communication Services (RCS), giving old cross-platform chats greater functionality.
Previously, group chats between iPhone and Android users were immediately downgraded to SMS and MMS formats, which lacked RCS' advanced features. However, a fresh APK code analysis in the Google Messages app's beta version suggests that these previous talks might be turned into RCS chats.
Two flags were discovered as necessary to allow this upgrading option. When a topic is successfully updated, users will get a popup notification that says, "You've got upgraded chats." They will also be informed about the benefits of RCS, such as the ability to transmit higher-quality images and videos with responses.
RCS capability for iPhones is now limited to the iOS 18 beta version, but it is expected to become more widely available with the official release of iOS 18 this autumn.
Importantly, this proposed Google Messages feature would not be limited to conversations with iPhones; it might also improve communication among Android phones if a single party does not use an RCS-compatible program.
Google Maps' Collaborative Upgrade
According to recent rumors, Google Maps may also soon receive an overhaul. An imminent new feature will offer collaborative navigation among numerous drivers and bring all users to one destination while keeping them linked along the route.
This functionality might be utilized in various circumstances, such as when friends, relatives, or coworkers travel to the same location but in separate vehicles, with Google Maps providing a real-time shared experience.
No more being left behind on vacation, as Google Maps' latest finding allows everyone to join together on a carpool or group.
Analysts and insiders Igilta and xleaks (David Kowalski) have published their newest finding of a Google patent that the corporation just filed for a collaborative navigation experience for the Google Maps app.
This function, known as "Co-Navigate," allows many Google Maps users to join a specific trip on their route to a single destination.
The patent highlighted what the new function would offer consumers and how co-navigation would link all users during the trip even if they were not in the same automobile.
Igilta remarked that most navigation applications were designed for ' solo travelers,' and that most people choose various routes based on the app's advice, which might lead to confusion.
