[Update: Available now] Google Photos ‘Live Albums’ shares photos of people and pets automatically

Ben Schoon | Oct 9 2018 - 12:39 pm PT

Google Photos is probably one of the most successful products from the company, and it just keeps getting better with updates. Today, a new feature has been revealed with Google Photos Live Albums.

If that name sounds familiar, it’s probably because it has appeared in previous teardowns of the Photos application. As we previously detailed, Google Photos Live Albums take advantage of Google’s advanced facial recognition features to create albums that can be automatically updated with pictures of a specific person or pet. These albums can also be shared and still automatically updated with new shots.

Live Albums are available through Photos on Android or iOS are created the same way you’d create a standard folder. The main difference, however, is that the album will have an option to automatically add more photos of the same subject, whether that’s a person or a pet. You can even have the album pull in photos from multiple subjects.

Google also notes that smart displays such as the Google Home Hub will be able to display these albums as they’re updated as well. Live Albums are rolling out to Android, iOS, and the web starting today.

You can turn any album into a live album. Just choose the people (and pets) you want to see, and Google Photos will automatically add photos of them to your album as you take them. Then, you can share your album with family and friends so they can be a part of special moments as they happen—no manual updates needed. Live albums are rolling out now in a number of countries on Android, iOS and the web.

Currently, it’s unclear if Google is widely rolling out Live Albums, though. Right now, the only mention of the feature is on the changelog for Google Photos’ iOS app (via TechCrunch). From what we can tell, the feature isn’t currently live in the app on iOS or Android, but it’s clearly imminent. Perhaps today’s Google event will shed some light on Live Albums.

Updated with information from The Keyword.