Google Photos toggle lets you switch between classic search & Ask Photos

9to5google.com Jul 20, 2026

Google Photos toggle lets you switch between classic search & Ask Photos

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 20, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google Photos has fully deployed a new toggle feature that allows users to seamlessly switch between its traditional search functionality and the AI-driven Ask Photos experience. Previously announced in March, this update is now available on both Android and iOS platforms. When Ask Photos is enabled, a toggle appears at the top of the results page, with classic search on the left and the AI option on the right. Testing reveals that the toggle persists for simple, single-word queries but automatically reverts to Ask Photos for complex questions, such as identifying license plates, requiring manual adjustment to return to classic mode. This rollout also introduces the toggle to users who have not yet enabled Ask Photos, encouraging broader adoption of the AI-powered search capabilities. The feature aims to provide greater flexibility, allowing users to choose the most appropriate search method based on the specific nature of their query.

💡 Why It Matters

· Users can now bypass AI interpretation for simple queries, preserving speed and precision for basic photo retrieval.
· This granular control addresses user fatigue with over-engineered search results, ensuring AI assists rather than obstructs routine library management.

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Google Meet rolling out homepage redesign with agenda view

Google has introduced a redesigned web homepage for Google Meet, aimed at streamlining the meeting workflow. The new interface replaces the simple list of upcoming meetings with a centralized agenda view that includes week and month navigators, calendar attachments, and quick access to meeting descriptions. After meetings, users can locate Gemini‑powered notes, recordings, and transcripts directly from the homepage, eliminating the need to search Gmail or Drive. The design uses Material 3 Expressive containers and is being rolled out to Workspace customers and Individual subscribers, with mobile releases expected later.

💡 By consolidating agenda items and post‑meeting artifacts in one place, the update reduces friction for frequent users, potentially boosting productivity across the Workspace ecosystem.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Gboard rolling out M3 Expressive redesign of shortcuts on Android

Google’s Gboard keyboard is receiving its first Material 3 Expressive overhaul of the shortcuts page, now pushed to the stable channel in version 17.7 via an update. The redesign replaces the previous vertical grid of small rectangular cards with rounded pill‑shaped buttons that show a larger icon and label. Tools are arranged in two columns; users can swipe horizontally to see more items, and a bottom‑right pencil icon opens a “hold and drag to customize” interface for reordering. The suggestions strip no longer shows containers, and the back button is swapped for a close “X” in the corner. A banner prompting “Customize your menu and shortcuts” appears after installation. Testing began in January, following a Material 3 Expressive refresh of Gboard Settings.

💡 The new pill‑shaped shortcuts give users faster visual access to keyboard tools, tightening the integration of Google’s design language across its Android ecosystem.

windowscentral.com · Jul 21

Microsoft Whiteboard is not shutting down, but you still may lose access…

Sean Endicott, a seasoned Windows Central journalist, has been covering Microsoft’s software and hardware ecosystem since 2017. His work spans Windows updates, Surface launches, Microsoft 365 changes, and the company’s growing focus on AI and services. Endicott also authors the weekly “Windows Wrap” column, curating key stories from the week. Prior to his tech reporting, he earned a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism and has experience in live production. Outside of tech, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award in 2024.

💡 Endicott’s dual expertise in journalism and live production equips him to deliver timely, accurate insights into Microsoft’s evolving product landscape, benefiting readers who rely on concise, authoritative tech coverage.

techcrunch.com · Jul 21

Instagram now lets you swap out the music in your old posts

Instagram announced on Tuesday that users can now swap out the music on their published feed posts and carousels. Previously, changing audio required deleting and re-uploading content, which erased engagement metrics. The new “Replace Audio” tool allows users to update soundtracks while preserving existing likes, comments, shares, and reach. Meta states this feature enhances creative control for creators and brands. It addresses a long-standing limitation that forced users to choose between maintaining post engagement and updating audio. Users can access the tool via the post’s edit menu. This update helps keep content aligned with current trends or reflect evolving tastes. The move follows recent controversies over unwanted features, such as the removed AI photo modification tool and the confusing “Instants” feature. Instagram aims to provide useful updates that users actually want, contrasting with previous missteps that generated significant user frustration and confusion regarding functionality and privacy implications.

💡 This update directly addresses creator frustration by decoupling audio changes from engagement loss, a critical metric for brand viability. It signals a strategic pivot toward user-centric utility after recent feature failures damaged platform trust.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Samsung launches ‘Galaxy Card’ credit card

Samsung has officially announced the launch of the “Galaxy Card,” a new metal credit card issued by Barclays and operating on the Visa network. Applications for the matte black card will open to the general public on July 22, ahead of the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The card features a tiered cashback structure, offering up to 5% on Samsung and Galaxy device purchases, 3% on Samsung Wallet transactions, 2% on streaming services, and 1% on all other spending. Additionally, cardholders receive a 20% discount on the Samsung VIP Advantage annual membership, which includes Care+ protection and early access perks. The Galaxy Card integrates directly with Samsung Wallet, allowing users to store it alongside other digital assets. This integration leverages Samsung Knox for on-device security, ensuring defense-grade protection for financial data. The physical card’s design includes a prominent Samsung logo, emphasizing brand identity. Samsung aims to deepen ecosystem engagement by combining financial rewards with its hardware and software services, creating a seamless experience for loyal customers within its expanding digital wallet infrastructure.

💡 By issuing its own branded card through Barclays, Samsung bypasses traditional retailer partnerships to capture direct consumer spending data and loyalty. This move transforms the Galaxy ecosystem from a hardware-centric model into a comprehensive financial service platform, increasing user retention through embedded economic incentives.

techcrunch.com · Jul 20

X relaunches a rebuilt Android app after year-long effort

Elon Musk’s X has released a completely rebuilt Android app after nearly a year of development. The new client, built from scratch on a Kotlin and Jetpack Compose stack, promises faster loading, smoother scrolling, more reliable notifications and a modernized foundation. X’s head of product Nikita Bier described the effort as one of the company’s largest engineering projects, noting that Android had been a priority following a record week of downloads in October. The update is available now today via Google Play and replaces the previous version that often failed to load posts. While the rollout addresses core performance issues, X acknowledges remaining rough edges, such as older‑device speed and pending Spaces support, with additional features slated for future releases.

💡 Delivering a solid Android client lets X convert the platform’s massive global user base from a liability into a strategic growth engine.