Search giant Google has updated its Google Photos app with a new feature that allows Pixel 2 users to export their Motion Photos as GIFs. One of the highlight features of the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is its ability to take Motion Photos. The Motion Photos is similar to Apple’s Live Photos feature that can capture several frames before and after you take a photo. When first launched on Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, the only way to share a Motion Photo was to export it as a single still image or as a video. Users had an option to save it either “Save as video” or “Save as still photo.”
The latest Google Photos update brings in a third option to save it as a GIF. The app has consolidated all these options under a new “Export” menu accessible from the overflow of a Motion Photo.
In order to access the new functionality, users will have to head to the three-dot menu app in Google Photos. Tapping it opens a panel where users can click “Export As” option and then select any of the three available options of saving the Motion Photo as video, GIF, or still photo. There is also a stabilisation checkbox which will slightly trim the content.
The new GIF option takes a minute to process and delivers a rather sizeable file. It balloons in size when compared to original Motion Photo, however, the output is quite high-res at 768 x 1024. The GIF can then be easily shared via instant messaging apps.
Last month the development of GIF feature was spotted on the beta 3.15 version of Google Photos application, and it seems the company has rolled out to the public app now. This feature was apparently requested by many people but it a while for Google to implement.
This export option comes with Google Photos 3.15 to Pixel 2 and Pixel XL along with latest March security update. Recent updates have also added a way to view all backed up Motion Photos through a new filter and category in the search.
