Looks like it’s a case of hook them, then cook them. After offering free storage to attract to use Google Pbotos for the past five years, the service will no longer be free from June 1, 2021.
From that fateful date, new photos and videos will be counted as part of the free 15GB of storage that comes with every Google Account.
Users who need more space will have to become a Google One member and pay US$1.99 per month for 100GB of storage.
Well, I can’t say that I didn’t see this coming. When Google launched the Pixel 4 last October, the writing was already on the wall. Along with the introduction was an announcement that the smartphone comes with free three-month 100GB subscription of Google One.
Original quality images taken on the Google Pixel 4 are uploaded to Google One where the subscription see if payable after three months.
Admittedly, the good deal cannot go on forever. Google needs to monetise this fast-growing service with 28 billion new photos and videos uploaded every week.
But, to slam the door on all users doesn’t speak well of its customer service or desire to retain customers.
Perhaps, Google could have just stuck the new cap on new Google Photo users. This is wishful thinking but why rock the boat with the faithful?
The company did say that Pixel 1 to 5 users are exempted from the change and can continue to upload high quality photos and videos after June 1, 2021.
As a current Google Pixel 3 user, I still enjoy free storage for original quality photos and videos until January 31, 2022. After that, it’s either about forking out for a subscription to maintain media quality or just being contented with lower quality. Guess I’ll defer the decision till then.
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