Google Photos Takes a Cue from Retro: A Rising Controversy in the Photo-Sharing Space
In a testament to its rising influence, photo-sharing startup Retro has caught the attention of tech giant Google. Retro, known for its privacy-focused platform that allows users to share photos and videos with friends and family, recently found itself in an unexpected spotlight.
A new Google Photos feature, “My Week,” appears to bear a striking resemblance to Retro’s core offering, stirring up a conversation about innovation and imitation in the tech industry.
Google’s New Feature Mirrors Retro’s Concept
The controversy began with a post on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing Google Photos’ upcoming “My Week” feature. This new addition encourages users to document their days through photos, which are then displayed in a weekly format—eerily similar to Retro’s existing functionality.
Ryan Olson, Retro’s co-founder and CTO, highlighted the similarities by resharing the post with a pointed comment: “feel like I’ve seen this somewhere…” accompanied by an inquisitive emoji.
Inside the New “My Week” Feature
The detailed analysis from Android Authority, which conducted an APK teardown of the Google Photos app, revealed that the My Week feature could soon be available to the public. This feature will introduce a new “Introducing My Week” tile in the Memories carousel, guiding users to select photos from their week to share.
This mirrors Retro’s approach, where users can also invite friends to view their weekly photo collections.
Google’s Response and Retro’s Perspective
When reached for comment, Google confirmed that My Week is currently in an experimental, invite-only phase. Michael Marconi, a Google spokesperson, stated, “We’re always experimenting with new ways to help people reflect and share their memories with the people that matter most to them.
We’re looking forward to getting feedback on My Week but don’t have anything else to share on future availability.”
Nathan Sharp, CEO of Retro, acknowledged the similarities but remains cautiously optimistic. He noted that while the design and functionality of Google’s My Week feature closely resemble Retro, Google’s product is still in the testing phase and may undergo significant changes before its official release.
A Competitive Yet Focused Approach
Sharp emphasized that Retro’s unique focus on privacy and simplicity sets it apart from Google Photos. Unlike Google Photos, which serves as a comprehensive tool for photo storage, editing, and backup, Retro is dedicated solely to private sharing among friends and family.
This distinction, Sharp believes, will continue to attract users who prioritize privacy and a clutter-free experience.
Retro’s commitment to user privacy is evident in its policies: the platform does not sell user data, lacks a public feed, and refrains from using photos to train AI models. This ethos resonates with its user base and is a key differentiator from larger, multi-functional platforms.
Continuous Innovation at Retro
Retro is not resting on its laurels. The startup recently introduced features such as collaborative journals and the ability to send photo postcards directly from the app. These postcards can be sent without knowing the recipient’s address, maintaining privacy while enhancing connectivity.
Additionally, Retro is developing an iOS widget and exploring ways for users to share entire photo archives with trusted individuals.
Future monetization strategies include a potential premium subscription model, although no specifics have been announced yet.
As Retro continues to innovate and Google experiments with similar features, the competition underscores the dynamic nature of the tech industry.
Retro’s focus on privacy and user-centric design may well enable it to carve out a distinct niche, even as it faces challenges from tech giants like Google.
