Technology - Google News

Google Suddenly Confirms Surprise Google Photos Service Cancellation - Forbes

Posted: 20 Jun 2020 01:32 AM PDT

Just four months after launch, Google is already saying goodbye to its most baffling Google Photos service.

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At the end of this month, Google is ending its automatic photo printing subscription service. This February, selected US-based Google Photos users were invited to join a trial service that each month automatically selects and delivers ten of their best photos in the form of physical prints.

The free trial was due to be replaced by a $7.99 monthly subscription on July 1 2020. However, according to a report in Droid Life, Google has now sent out an email to subscribers explaining that the service is now to be discontinued on June 30.

Google's cancellation email reads:

"Thank you for your invaluable feedback these last several months. You have provided us with a lot of helpful information about how we can evolve this feature, which we hope to make more widely available. Please keep your eyes open for future updates.

Although we will be ending the trial program, we hope that you have experienced some joy from the prints you received along the way."

The failure of the trial comes as no surprise as it suffers from three significant drawbacks.

It offers users only rudimentary control over the kinds of photos they want to receive. You can't just go in and pick the photos you want, and Google's automatic selections can be a bit hit and miss.
Choice is limited to the categories, ''Mostly people and pets', 'Mostly landscape' or 'A little bit of everything'. However, some users reported having to switch out selections manually to avoid receiving seemingly random, mundane images or poor photos where the subjects weren't looking at the camera.
Most importantly, although it hasn't survived long enough to turn into a paid subscription, the service was priced significantly higher than high-street alternatives which typically charge circa $0.23 per print (excluding delivery). This monthly financial commitment is also especially hard to justify at a time when finances are stretched and people are taking fewer noteworthy photos due to COVID-19 restrictions. The ten 'best' photos of the month might often not be worth printing.

Google's planned evolution of the service will require significant changes if it is to become a compelling offering. I appreciate the appeal of a 'surprise' selection of well-chosen photos, but not at the significant price premium Google charges.

The cancellation of the subscription service doesn't affect other Google Photos print services, such as standard photo books, which continue to work as before.

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14 Brilliant Little Details in The Last of Us Part 2 - IGN - IGN

Posted: 20 Jun 2020 04:04 AM PDT

The Last of Us Part 2 is a gritty dark tale of revenge, but that doesn't mean a post-apocalyptic America isn't full of a ton of easter eggs, awesome details and unexpected references.

Here's 14 brilliant little details we've spotted in The Last of Us Part 2. Spoilers are coming, you've been warned

1 / Wolves and Their Friends

Infected aren't the only threats in Seattle, and you'll often find yourself face-to-face with the WLF, also known as Wolves. What may appear to be faceless fodder though actually turn out to be a tight group of friends, each with their own names, relationships and pain to suffer when one of their nearest and dearest is brutally executed by Ellie. Seems Naughty Dog aren't satisfied with you mowing down NPCs guilt free anymore, and are determined to make you feel like utter crap after you send an arrow directly into Alan's face.

2 / A Man's Best Friend

Their friends extend beyond 2 legs too. Many of the WLF bring their loyal dog companions along for the journey, and understandably their reactions are amplified when their pet pooch is unceremoniously merked. Like the Wolves, these lovable mutts also have names as well, doubling down on the guilt you feel when sending an arrow directly into a dog called Bear; and into his owner's heart.

3 / Can You Pet the Dog?

It's not all doom and gloom for the lovable canines though. The Last of Us Part 2 offers you several occasions to not only pet a dog, but even play catch with them! Although you might notice that one of the dogs you can play with is called Bear and well… now I feel horrible again. Brilliant.

4 / Map Marking

For collectible hunters like myself, the open area in downtown Seattle has a very helpful feature. After exploring a building, Ellie will only strike a line through the area on the map once you've looted every key item. She'll also even verbally mention there's nothing left, letting you know you're free to carry on exploring without the fear of missing an important item.

5 / Pearl Jam

The Last of Us Part 2 is littered with fake bands, movies and comic books. But amidst all the parody is actually a legitimate poster for Pearl Jam's album, Lightning Bolt. A record due to release on October 11, 2013, 2 weeks after the game's fictional outbreak day. Also, on that album is the track Future Days, Ellie and Joel's song you'll hear (and play) several times during the game.

6 / Guitar Practise

Beside Future Days, Ellie can also play Aha's 80's classic, Take On Me and at several points you'll also have the option to practise on her guitar. Unlike the scripted scenes though, you can now select several different chord configurations and spend hours attempting to play some of your favourite tunes. Looking for some inspiration? Well if you fancy another 80s banger, let's just say you can also bless the rains down in Africa.

7 / Hotline Miami

Even though the outbreak was in 2013 --fortunately for our characters-- the Playstation Vita came out in 2011 and you'll definitely notice one being played by Witney just before visiting the hospital. What you might not notice though is the game being played is none other than cult classic, Hotline Miami, with the iconic sounds still blasting long after she's dead.

There's no missing this moment, but there's a follow up that you potentially could. Once Abby reaches the Forward Base, before following Manny into the tent be sure to approach Whitney in the right corner to be treated to some extra, Hotline Miami chat.

8 / PS3 and Games

The PS Vita isn't the only gaming relic to be featured in The Last of Us Part 2. In Ellie's room the eagle eyed will spot the original fat PS3, along with a copy of the Jak and Daxter Collection. And later on, you can get a clearer view of both Uncharted and Uncharted 2!

9 / Sic Parvis Magna

Copies of the games lying around isn't the only Uncharted easter egg. At the bank in downtown Seattle, be sure to enter the vault and explore in the upper right corner. Tucked away in a draw you'll find Sir Francis Drake's ring --engravings and all-- that Nathan Drake wears around his neck.

10 / The Strange Relic

There's one more Uncharted reference to find and it's in the chapter Hostile Territory. At one point you'll notice a store called King Street Relics, but with no obvious entrance point. Be sure to work your way in through the top floor of the adjacent store and tucked into the corner, before you drop down the hole will be the Strange Relic. A very familiar object to Naughty Dog fans as it's not only a Precursor orb from Jak and Daxter, but it's also been a collectible in every Uncharted game.

11 / Jak X: Combat Racing

And before I finally move on from Naughty Dog references, there's one more in the shape of a Jak X: Combat Racing arcade cabinet in the Flooded City chapter. Something that Ellie previously enjoyed in the first game's DLC, Left Behind and is based on the last Naughty Dog PS2 game before they moved onto Uncharted.

12 / Point Break

Remember where you found the Uncharted ring? Well in that same vault Ellie and Dina will have a conversation about a movie with "surfer bank robbers". In case you don't know, they're actually describing the 1991 Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze classic, Point Break and prove that these girls have excellent taste in movies.

13 / Joel-rassic Park

Ellie and Dina aren't the only movie buffs. When visiting the Wyoming Museum of Science and History, Joel will constantly refer back to Jurassic Park if you find the right prompts. He mentions the film's questionable depiction of Velociraptors, his knowledge of birds evolving from dinosaurs being from the film and even brings up the "not as good" sequel. He'll also quote Jeff Goldblum's famous "That's one big pile of shit" line. Although he does say mound instead of pile, thus triggering all pedantic Jurassic Park nerds like myself. Come on Joel.

14 / Eugene's Adult Collection

One last movie buff is the deceased, but often discussed, Eugene. Although his movie selection veers a little more to the adult persuasion. After entering Eugene's drug infested basement, be sure to go to the left before picking up the jar to experience a questionable, Naughty Dog based, adult film parody.

And that's it, 14 of the coolest details and easter eggs we found in The Last of Us Part 2. Did we miss anything? Be sure to let us know in the comments.

Dale Driver is a Senior Video Producer at IGN and spent way too long trying to play 80s bangers on Ellie's guitar. Follow him on Twitter.

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