Key Points:
- Google Photos has removed the “Things” carousel from the Search tab on Android and iOS.
- Users can still access the “Things” categories by manually searching within the app.
- The Search tab might soon be replaced by a new “Ask” feature, as hinted by Google at I/O 2024.
In a recent update, Google Photos has quietly removed the “Things” carousel from its Search tab on both Android and iOS platforms. This change precedes the anticipated introduction of the “Ask” feature in Photos, expected this summer.
Previously, the Search tab in Google Photos featured four carousels: People & pets, Places, Documents, and Things. The “Things” carousel grouped related photos into categories like Selfies, Skylines, Concerts, and many more, with my library boasting 83 such categories. This feature allowed users to passively browse through their photos, making for a delightful, curated experience. However, the carousel has now vanished entirely from the Search page.
Despite this removal, users can still access the full range of categories by typing “Things” into the app’s search bar. This action directs users to the familiar full-page grid of categories. While this is a small change in the grand scheme of things, the removal of the carousel does make the Search tab appear somewhat sparse. Now, it primarily consists of Your Activity (Favorites and Recently Added) and Categories (Screenshots and Videos).
Looking ahead, the Search tab is expected to be replaced by a new “Ask” feature, though the details shared by Google at I/O 2024 suggest this is not the final user interface. Additionally, Google’s ongoing testing of a “Collections” revamp indicates more changes are on the horizon for the app’s organization and functionality.
