Google To Shift Focus From Picasa To Google Photos

(RTTNews) - Google has confirmed that its photo editing application Picasa's days are numbered. In a statement, Google announced that the stand-alone Photos app with unlimited storage will be phased out to make way for Google Photos, to provide users a more uniform photo experience.

The change will take place over the coming months in order to focus entirely on a single photo service in Google Photos, the search engine giant said.

Google added that from March 15, it will not be supporting the Picasa desktop application. However, those who have Picasa Web Albums, a companion service, can keep using it until the changes are rolled out on May 1.

"We believe we can create a much better experience by focusing on one service that provides more functionality and works across mobile and desktop, rather than divide our efforts across two different products," Google said.

Picasa users with web albums have been advised to log into Google Photos, at which point all the content will automatically be available in Photos. Those who choose to switch to Google Photos can continue to upload photos and videos using the desktop uploader at photos.google.com/apps.

Users who aren't interested in switching to Google Photos will be given a new place to access their Picasa Web Albums data, from where they will still be able to view, download, or delete their Picasa Web Albums. But users won't be able to create, organize or edit albums.

Picasa is a software for organizing and editing digital photos, plus an integrated photo-sharing website, originally created by a company named Lifescape in 2002. In July 2004, Google had acquired Picasa and started offering it as freeware.