Say Farewell to Google's Picasa

[WhiteTara]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2499250,00.asp

Google plans to end support for Picasa and transition users to Google Photos, the company announced today. Picasa, an image-organizing application Google acquired 12 years ago, has seen few updates in recent months as Google focused development efforts on its shiny, new Photos app.

Support for the Picasa desktop album will end on March 15, though it will continue to work for users who already have it installed. Uploaded Picasa photos will be transitioned to Google Photos on May 1.

Originally introduced by Lifescape in 2002, Picasa brought iPhoto-like editing ease to casual photographers on Windows. Google improved the service with its trademark "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, which automatically retouched photos with one click.

It also added Picasa Web Albums in 2006, which integrated with the desktop application and allowed users to share photos with friends and family. Web Albums was discontinued in 2013 and integrated into Google+.

Anil Sabharwal, head of Google Photos, acknowledged that many users have entrusted their priceless family photos to Picasa. He explained they will find all the photos they have uploaded to Picasa Web Albums waiting for them in Google Photos.

[Orrex]

1. I haven't even heard of Picasa since 2006

I didn't realize that it's still a thing.

[WhiteTara]

2. for me it is. nt

[MineralMan]

3. Are your photos gone?

Did you save them locally? It sounds like Google is just moving then and changing the platform. If you find them, please back them up on your own storage device. Never trust a third party to safeguard your data. Maintain backups.

[WhiteTara]

4. I have them but this is such an easy format

and I'll migrate to Google pictures.

[MineralMan]

5. It's frustrating when you get used to using any platform

and they get rid of it. I really understand.

[WhiteTara]

6. It happens all the time.

Coders need to change things so they have job security and the rest of us stay frustrated.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Agreed. Our browsers should be coded in COBOL, for old times' sake. nt

But, with H1B visas, coders don't have much job security.