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Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by blintzing on Monday July 20, 2015 @06:59PM (#9919664)
Isn't it funny that we're even having this conversation? That Google can offer two products, differentiated by a single character (Google+ Photos and Google Photos), with few obvious indicators as to which I should use?

It's confusing to me, but trying to explain it to my mom is absolutely impossible. I wonder whether the average user even knows there's a difference between the two. It's a perfect example of unnecessary redundancy.

Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by jpatokal on Monday July 20, 2015 @07:48PM (#9919837)
For the average user, there is no difference, all that's happening is that "Google* Photos" is moving to a new domain and getting a bit of a facelift.
Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by dragonwriter on Monday July 20, 2015 @07:29PM (#9919761)
> Isn't it funny that we're even having this conversation? That Google can offer two products, differentiated by a single character (Google+ Photos and Google Photos), with few obvious indicators as to which I should use?

Google Photos was announced May 2015, explicitly as the future of what had been Google+ Photos. It has been clear since then that that's what would be supported going forward, and then Google+ Photos was deprecated legacy.

Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by blintzing on Monday July 20, 2015 @07:40PM (#9919807)
How many grandmas (or even casual Google users) knew that though? Do they read Google's blog?

(Also, not to be picky, but I see no mention of Google+ Photos (let alone its status as "deprecated legacy") on the announcement blog post: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/picture-this-fresh-ap...)

Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by aesthetics1 on Monday July 20, 2015 @07:01PM (#9919675)
I really feel like it is just to cleanse it of the connection to Google+. The product should have been an evolution of Google+ Photos, but they are clearly trying to de-couple services from Google+.

Look at the Inbox vs Gmail experiment for example. While not tied to Google+, Inbox runs parallel to Gmail and accesses the same things. Just a different window dressing. I'm sure many at Google want to see Inbox take over Gmail at some point.

This is one of the reasons I doubt we ever see a Material Design Gmail. I think they'll run with it until Inbox is "ready".

Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by pablo-massa on Monday July 20, 2015 @11:48PM (#9920473)
I think that the strategy there was make a new product (Inbox) to test how to reinvent Gmail. Gmail needs a redesign but have a very large user base to take the risk of make mistakes. With Inbox they are free to innovate and try to fix the email problem without carrying a giant on they shoulders. I think even Google don't know yet what's is going to do after.
Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by aesthetics1 on Tuesday July 21, 2015 @05:05PM (#9925806)
Precisely my point!
Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by snogglethorpe on Monday July 20, 2015 @07:59PM (#9919883)
Gmail and Inbox are very different.

The latter is not a replacement for the former, which many many people depend on, so the only way Gmail is going away is if Inbox evolves to be it...

Re:Google+ Photos Is Shutting Down by aiiane on Monday July 20, 2015 @07:00PM (#9919669)
Why else do you think we're turning down the old one? :)