TECHNOLOGY

Reviving Old Photos with Google's New Trick

Mon Apr 21 2025
Google has a new trick up its sleeve for Android users. It's called Ultra HDR, and it's designed to breathe new life into old photos. This isn't just a small update; it's a whole new way to enhance pictures taken with a smartphone. Google's Ultra HDR is a fresh image format that uses the same . jpg file extension as regular photos. Don't let that fool you, though. Ultra HDR adds more depth and light to images, capturing details that might have been missed in the original shot. This means that even photos taken in less-than-ideal conditions can be improved. The Ultra HDR editing tool is now available in the Google Photos app. It's located in the Adjust section of the editor. However, not everyone has access to it yet. Google is rolling it out gradually, so it might take some time before it appears on your device. But don't worry, it's coming. So, how does Ultra HDR editing work? It's simple. Once you tap on the Ultra HDR option, a slider appears. This slider allows you to adjust the strength of the effect. The more you increase it, the more vibrant your image becomes. But be careful not to overdo it, as too much can make the photo look unnatural. There are other benefits to converting images to Ultra HDR format. For one, these files take up less space than regular JPEG images. Plus, they can be viewed on any device, even if it doesn't support HDR. The only difference is that the Ultra HDR enhancements won't be visible. To check if a photo is in Ultra HDR format, swipe up on the image in Google Photos. This will bring up the details page, where you'll see the "Ultra HDR" label next to the pixel count. If you have the Ultra HDR editing feature, it's worth experimenting with. It could be the key to transforming your smartphone photos. Google Photos has always been about making smartphone photography better. With Ultra HDR, it's taking a big step forward. But is it enough? Only time will tell. For now, it's a tool worth exploring.

questions

    How does the Ultra HDR feature in Google Photos compare to traditional HDR in terms of image quality?
    What are the long-term implications of using Ultra HDR on image storage and retrieval?
    Is the rollout of Ultra HDR part of a larger plan to control how we perceive our own memories?

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