Google continues to enrich its Photos app with new features. After making it easier to edit HDR images without losing quality, the service now offers the ability to convert your standard photos to Ultra HDR. This development promises more vibrant photos, even after they've been taken.
For several months, Google has been gradually improving the management of HDR images in its Photos application. Last year, an update based on artificial intelligence made it possible to edit these images without altering their quality. This prevented changes from degrading brightness and contrast. Today, the company is taking another step to fully exploit the capabilities of modern screens. With the arrival of the Ultra HDR function, even old photos can now benefit from advanced visual improvement.
Google is starting to rolling out an update to Photos that introduces a new editing option called “Ultra HDR.” This feature allows you to “convert a regular image” into an enhanced version, offering “more vibrant colors” and “enhanced brightness.” The process is fully integrated into the app’s image editor, with no special hardware required. This format reveals its full power on devices equipped with HDR screens, but also remains compatible with older devices by displaying an adapted version.
Google Photos offers to convert your old images to Ultra HDR
The Ultra HDR feature is currently being rolled out to some users using version 7.24.0.747539053 of Google Photos. As is often the case with Google, activation is done gradually on the server side, which means that not all users receive the option at the same time. When the feature is available, it replaces the old "HDR Effect" in the "Adjust" section of the photo editor. In addition to converting images, it offers a simple slider to fine-tune the intensity of the effect, depending on individual preferences.
Technically, Ultra HDR is based on a special format that combines a classic image with a gain map, which adjusts the brightness pixel by pixel. This method allows for more vibrant images while maintaining a reasonable file size.
Even though Ultra HDR is designed for modern screens, photos remain viewable on all types of devices. This development simplifies access to better quality images, without requiring special skills or high-end devices.
Source: Android Authority
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