Google is adding a bunch of new features to Google Photos. All of which should help make Google Photos even more of an essential app than it is already. From improved sharing options to physical photo books, with a little bit of Google Lens on the side, Google Photos is evolving.

When Google killed Picasa, many people were disappointed. Here was their favorite photo app being euthanized, and for what? It turns out Google had bigger plans, and has since integrated many of Picasa's best features into Google Photos. And now Google Photos is getting even better.

Google Photos' New Features

At Google I/O 2017, Google announced a slew of new features coming to Google Photos. They are:

Suggested Sharing uses Google's artificial intelligence to choose your best photos, figure out who's in them, and suggest who you should share them with. You can share via Google Photos itself, or, if sharing with people who don't have Google Photos, via email or SMS instead.

Shared Libraries lets you share photos automatically with a significant other. You can share all of your photos, subsets of photos based on the people in them, or photos taken after a certain date. This will be particularly useful after a vacation with your significant other, as one example.

Photo Books are physical books filled with photos you've taken on your smartphone. Google's AI will suggest photos that belong together and offer them up as a photo book. You then edit the book as you see fit, and place your order. Prices start at $19.99 for a hardcover, and $9.99 for soft.

Google Lens is being integrated into Google Photos. Lens will identify important elements of your photos, and let you interact with them in some way. A phone number in a photo would become clickable, for example. Lens will also be able to identify the places or products in your photos.

Some of these features are available now, while others will be introduced in the coming weeks.

Google Photos Surpasses Picasa

Some users are still bitter over Google's culling of Picasa. However, Google Photos has, in many ways, surpassed its predecessor. These new features are all extremely useful, and, in the case of Photo Books, add a whole new way for budding smartphone photographers to explore their craft.

Do you currently use Google Photos? Is it your default photo manager or do you prefer a different product? Are you excited about the features Google is adding to Google Photos? Are they enough to make you switch allegiance? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Greyloch via Flickr