5 reasons to start using Google Photos

The photo service not only makes it easy to back up images, but also has a number of features not available in Apple Photos.

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1. Google Photos gives you more free space

The first and most important reason to “migrate” to Google is money. Apple provides iOS and macOS users with only 5 GB of free iCloud space. Next you need to pay:

50 GB – 59 rubles (hereinafter – per month);
200 GB – 149 rubles;
2 TB – 599 rubles.

But what about Google?

15 GB – for free;
100 GB – 139 rubles (hereinafter – per month);
200 GB – 219 rubles;
2 TB – 699 rubles;
10 TB – 6,990 rubles;
20 TB – 13,990 rubles;
30 TB – 20,990 rubles.

As you can see, Google gives its users 15 GB of free space on their servers – i.e. 3 (three) times more than Apple! Moreover – if you agree to store photos in a resolution of no more than 16 MP, you will get full unlimited, because Google will not take into account such photos in 15 GB. Strictly speaking, there will be no loss of quality if you shoot on an iPhone – even the latest models (X and XS) still have “only” a 12-megapixel camera.

When it comes to paid tariffs, it becomes much more interesting – Apple’s 200 GB and 2 TB tariffs turn out to be more profitable than Google’s! In the first case, you pay only 10 rubles more and get 2 times more space. And Apple’s “terabyte” tariff is 100 rubles cheaper than the “good corporation”. But Google wins at “heavy” tariffs (from 10 TB) – for the simple reason that Apple simply does not have such offers.

Again, the Google Photos service provides unlimited cloud storage (for photos up to 16 megapixels and video quality up to 1080p), while Apple offers only 5 GB of storage for free. Despite the fact that the photos are stored in a compressed form, this permission is quite enough for users to print pictures 24 × 16 cm in size. The service also allows you to place uncompressed pictures, but they will be included in 15 GB, which are provided for each account (you can buy a place )

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2. Cross-platform support for Google Photos is better

Few people use operating systems from only one manufacturer. Even if you have compiled a complete collection of smartphones, tablets and computers from Apple, there are always computers at work, friends, relatives, etc.

And Google Photos is also everywhere – on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, in the web version … even on specific devices like Android TVs! But iCloud Photo client for Android does not. There is support for iCloud Photos on Windows, but it works, frankly, not very.

It is worth noting the ability to automatically upload photos to Google Photos, not only from mobile devices, but also from a Mac computer (links for downloading applications at the end of the article). In addition, a web version of the service is also available.

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3. Google Photos allows you to edit photos, create albums, animations, videos and collages

Function implemented in the service “Assistant” Allows users to create animations, videos, and collages from images. In addition, the assistant detects faces, sorts photos by date, place, etc.

Google Photos can add effects without changing the original picture. If desired, the user can either save the modifications or delete them.

One of the interesting features of the service is also a function that combines several (at least three) photos taken in quick succession into one panoramic image.

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4. Google Photos Search is Better Than iCloud Photos

Google search is the best in the world. It is not surprising that the search function in the photo application from the “good corporation” works better than that of competitors.

Each time you upload a new picture to Google Photos, the application scans it and “understands” what or who is shown on it (o). As a result, you can easily enter a phrase like “my dog”, “Moscow” or “at a party with Lena” in the Photo search box and immediately find the photo you want.

Starting with iOS 10, similar algorithms appeared for Apple, but they do not work as correctly as Google does.

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5. Google Photos offers great opportunities to share the best pictures.

iCloud is very good at the discipline of “sharing multiple photos with a friend.” The fact is that the Apple service “culturally” will send him digital copies of photos, while the Google application is just a link, which in the end will simply lead back to the web application.

But everything changes if you want to share your entire collection of photos with the world! Here Google Photos shows itself clearly better. Function Affiliate Accounts (Google Photos for Partner) allows you to instantly share all photos with another user (as he does with you).

There are also a lot of useful settings. So, if you wish, you can only share one thing with someone (for example, with a child) or prohibit sharing photos that are older than a certain date (say so that a new girl does not see your photos from the previous one :)).

What about Apple? A similar mechanism for sharing media from the Photo application using the link appeared on the iPhone and iPad only with the release of iOS 12 (in detail)

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Use both

Strictly speaking, there is no need to switch to Google Photos and burn all the bridges behind you. Keep a media library both there and there to enjoy the best manifestations of the two IT poles – both unlimited storage and cross-platform Google, as well as mega-convenient seamless integrations, more advanced editing tools, plus the ability to always have access to Apple’s metadata.

Web interface of the Google Photos service.
Download Google Photos for iPhone and iPad.
Download Google Photos for Windows and Mac.

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