What you need to know
- A dedicated “Ask” button could soon appear right inside Google Photos' photo viewer, letting users query their library without switching screens.
- The Ask Photos tool uses AI to understand conversational prompts.
- Additionally, hidden code references a new “Outfits collection,” possibly tied to Google’s Doppl virtual try-on tech, suggesting future fashion and style organization features.
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Google appears to be testing a new shortcut for the “Ask Photos” feature that pops up while viewing a photo, so you don’t have to leave your image and navigate to a separate tab.
A recent app teardown by the folks at Android Authority revealed that Google is testing a new “Ask” button that could sit right inside the photo viewer, allowing users to query their photo library without leaving the screen they’re on.
The button connects directly to the Ask Photos feature, Google’s AI-powered tool that lets you search your library conversationally rather than typing keywords. So instead of digging through folders or typing “birthday 2022,” you could simply ask, “Show me photos from my last birthday,” and get an instant, context-aware response.
The feature was spotted in version 7.52.0 of the app. The move fits into Google’s broader plan to make Google Photos more than just a storage hub. Behind the scenes, code hints at a new “Outfits collection,” which could automatically organize your wardrobe photos into a dedicated space.
Style meets AI
That might sound trivial, but it ties neatly into Google’s growing interest in AI-assisted style tools. It's expected that this could link up with Doppl, the company’s virtual try-on technology. If it happens, you might one day use Google Photos not only to revisit memories but also to restyle yourself—uploading outfit photos, comparing looks, and generating new combinations based on your existing wardrobe.
It’s not confirmed yet, but it hints at how Google is quietly turning Photos into something that feels more like a personal visual assistant.
At the moment, Ask Photos itself is still limited. The feature is currently available only in the United States and can be accessed via a separate Ask tab in the Photos app for users who meet the eligibility requirements.
The dedicated shortcut button discovered in the teardown hasn’t been officially announced, meaning it might take a while before users outside the U.S. see it. Likewise, the Outfits collection and Doppl integration are speculative for now, since early code references don’t always translate into a public rollout.
