● Covered by 1 source · 2 reportsLow impact2 neutral
Google Photos 7.85 for Android Adds Shimmer Toggle, Material 3 Redesign, and AI Camera Shortcut
Key points
- New setting to disable "shimmer" effect in Photos view.
- Shimmer effect highlights subjects for sticker creation.
- Material 3 Expressive redesign for main Settings, Backup, and Preferences.
- Camera shortcut added for AI templates like Remix and Photo to video.
- Updates rolled out with Google Photos 7.85 on Android.
New Shimmer Toggle for Photo View
Google Photos for Android version 7.85 now includes a setting to disable the "shimmer" effect. This visual outline appears around people or objects in photos that are eligible for actions such as creating a sticker. While enabled by default, users can now turn off this effect via "Photos view" in the three-dot overflow menu or through Settings > Preferences > Photo view > "Show shimmer."
The shimmer effect was initially designed to indicate compatible subjects for sticker creation and to show which part of a photo would be cut out. Google has added the option to disable it based on user feedback, acknowledging that some users prefer to view their photos without the animation.
Material 3 Expressive Redesign for Settings
The update also brings a Material 3 Expressive redesign to certain sections of the Google Photos settings. The main Settings page, Backup, and Preferences now utilize containers to better distinguish line items. Other pages, including Notifications, Sharing, Apps & devices, and Privacy, retain their previous design.
Camera Shortcut for AI Templates
A new camera shortcut has been added for AI templates such as Remix and Photo to video. This feature allows users to quickly take a new picture directly from within these templates, rather than selecting an existing photo from their library. The large camera Floating Action Button (FAB) launches the device camera for quick, temporary input.
Availability
These changes are being rolled out with Google Photos version 7.85 on Android devices.
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How outlets covered it
Google Photos now allows users to turn off the "shimmer" animation that highlights subjects eligible for sticker creation. This update provides a user preference for viewing photos without the visual effect, addressing feedback from users who found it distracting.
Google Photos for Android version 7.85 introduces a setting to disable the "shimmer" effect, updates some settings pages to a Material 3 Expressive design, and adds a camera shortcut for AI templates. These updates provide users with more control over visual effects and streamline the workflow for creating content with AI features.