Google Pics is generally available starting today

Google is not a company that will ever care about its users. It receives funding and profits from businesses, why would any self-respecting individual choose a company that doesn't care about them or act in their best interest?

When I try to use it, I have to sign up for at least the smallest AI subscription for 5 bucks a month (as opposed to the 2 I currently pay for storage). But when I do that with my regular account, I get the error message that my Google Pay money can only be spent in Germany, as if my account hadn't been registered in Germany for the past 20 years...

Top notch UX Google, as always.

Oh yeah, they emailed me as a Google Workspace administrator and went "FYI we're launching this and we're leaving it turned on and forced-opt-in by default, byeeeee!". Even with Gemini off across our entire tenant.

Bonus points that they've broken additional bounds and now advertise in Google Workspace products. Now I get ads within all of the products begging me to upgrade our Workspace tiers :\

Opened a support ticket about the advertising and was told to kick rocks.

>>> What you need to do

>>> Action advised before August 18, 2026:

>>> We'll enable access to Google Pics by default. You can manage access to Google Pics depending on your organization's needs:

>>>

>>> To allow access: If you want eligible users to have access to Google Pics, no action is required from you. Google Pics will roll out to users automatically as soon as August 18, 2026.

This sounds really great. Can’t wait to start relying on it for them to abandon it in 2 years after neglecting it for most of that time since launch.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 1, 2026

Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 15, 2026

Availability Business: Business Standard and Plus Enterprise: Enterprise Standard and Plus Consumer: Google AI Pro and Ultra Education Add-ons: Google AI Pro for Education Other Add-ons: AI Expanded Access

Usage of generative AI features in Google Pics is subject to usage limits. At least through February 28, 2027, your users will have higher access to generative AI features in Google Pics. Access to these generative AI features may be limited afterward. We’ll notify you of any changes before they take effect.

Usage of Google Pics from other Workspace surfaces (such as Google Slides) is subject to existing image generation limits.

I will absolutely never again ever use any Google service on place of any alternative.

Main features merges in Photos in 3 months, graveyard in 5 with a bit of luck

So Google Pics is for work, and Google Photos is for personal photos? Got it.

It will be retired in 5 years.