Google Photos introduces comments and smart suggestions for shared albums

With the latest update to Google Photos rolling out now on Android and iOS, the photo sharing service is 1 step way from becoming a full-blown social network. Okay, maybe we’re exaggerating a bit, but the new comment system — which allows anyone included in a shared album to comment on photos — adds a new sort of social layer, not too unlike what’s available in social networks like Facebook or Google+. Google says it makes it easier to keep everything in one place. Um.. okay.

Also introduced in the 1.10 update are smarter shared albums. Prior to the update, someone would send you a link to a shared album from that birthday party last weekend and if you wanted to add some of your own, you’d have to rummage through your camera roll looking for whatever photos you took on that day. Now, albums provide you with smart suggestions, showing you relevant photos you may want to add (no doubt matching up the dates/locations of your photos with those being shared).

Shared albums are easily one of the most useful functions of Google Photos, although we’re not sure that many Android users even know they exist. Simply create an album, send a shared link to whoever you like, and they can add photos of their own.