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Google Photos won’t destroy Ultra HDR information during routine edits. Google has released an update that eliminates a major annoyance with Google Photos.
Performing simple edits in Google Photos won’t strip Ultra HDR metadata
Google Photos is one of the first Android software platforms to understand and handle HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. Ironically, the platform keeps faltering with the feature that Google introduced in the Android OS.
Google brought Ultra HDR to Android with the Pixel 8 series. However, the Android OS developer openly claims the technology and software to manage HDR and Ultra HDR needs a lot of work.
Hooray, basic editing of Ultra HDR photos on my Pixel 8 Pro in Google Photos, such as cropping or rotating, no longer strips Ultra HDR.
Finally!
I'm on version 6.95.0.663027175.
Previously:
– https://t.co/nTZSNwd5xa
– https://t.co/mY1BRqwbSA
– https://t.co/LG2eNCvSos
etc. pic.twitter.com/b4z1BYgsPt— Artem Russakovskii (@ArtemR) August 20, 2024
Ultra HDR is similar to standard JPEG images. However, the technology appends HDR gaming maps in the metadata. This allows users to manipulate and creatively tweak multiple visual aspects of the image. Needless to say, smartphones must have powerful imaging hardware to support HDR.
Until recently, Google Photos treated HDR images poorly. Users performing simple edits on HDR images in Google Photos realized the app would destroy Ultra HDR metadata. The app seemed to be treating Ultra HDR images as routine JPEG and formatted them accordingly.
Will all Android smartphones get the updated app to manage metadata correctly?
Google Photos has been creating duplicates of Ultra HDR images. This was a workaround Google introduced to prevent the app from destroying brightness data. Needless to say, brightness is the core requirement as it enables high dynamic range.
An earlier update addressed the issue. Now, Google has reportedly released Google Photos version 6.95.0.663027175. This update too creates a duplicate image for editing purposes. However, even the duplicate image retains Ultra HDR metadata while performing edits.
Google is preparing to add Ultra HDR image capture support to the CameraX API.
This will allow apps that utilize the CameraX API to output images in the new JPEG_R format used for Ultra HDR, on devices running Android 14.
JPEG_R is a new type of JPEG file that can contain a… pic.twitter.com/ef20uxaAm9
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) January 23, 2024
Currently, only high-end or flagship Android smartphones offer the ability to capture enough brightness and append Ultra HDR information to images. However, the Google Photos app is preinstalled on nearly every Android smartphone.
With powerful imaging hardware rapidly trickling down to mid-range and budget smartphones, several manufacturers will try to offer HDR photography. This indirectly suggests Google would ensure the Google Photos platform treats Ultra HDR metadata correctly and ensures the information isn’t destroyed during routine edits.