Google Photos is bringing back its photo printing subscription service and introducing a new option for prints available the very same day. Earlier this year, the company briefly ran a trial program that utilized artificial intelligence to identify each month’s ten most compelling photos, delivering them directly to customers. However, this initial test phase concluded on June 30th.

During the trial period, a subscription was offered at $7.99 monthly, automatically curating ten photos based on one of three distinct themes: pictures of people and pets, scenic landscapes, or a varied assortment. These 4x6 inch photos were produced on matte, white cardstock with a narrow, 1/8-inch border.

The upcoming subscription service, launching shortly, incorporates insights gained from the initial testing to provide users with greater control over their prints, including customization options and appearance. The monthly cost has also been reduced to $6.99, encompassing shipping fees and excluding applicable taxes.

This new offering, known as the Premium Print Series, will employ machine learning to select ten of your most recent photos for printing. Users will have the ability to modify the photo selection and choose between a matte or glossy finish, as well as the option to add a border before shipment.

The photos are also designed to function as postcards, due to the cardstock paper they are printed on, Google explains.

Subscribers have the flexibility to pause a month’s delivery and can cancel the service at any time if they no longer wish to continue.

Details regarding these service updates were recently uncovered by reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong, who highlighted the new personalization features and the reduced price.

Google anticipates that the Premium Print Series will become available to Google Photos users within the next few weeks.

In addition, Google is launching same-day printing services at Walgreens locations, effective immediately. This expands Google Photos’ existing same-day print options, which already included same-day pickup from CVS and Walmart.

Through the Google Photos application, customers can now order 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 photo prints for convenient same-day collection at Walgreens stores. This significantly increases the number of locations offering same-day prints to Google Photos users, according to Google.

Beyond prints and subscriptions, Google Photos continues to provide canvas prints and photo books – the latter now supporting up to 140 pages – through its online print shop.

The introduction of these enhanced photo printing services and the subscription option arrives during a period where travel has decreased due to the ongoing pandemic, and attendance at large events where photos are commonly taken – such as parties or concerts – has declined.

Despite these changes, people continue to capture photos, although they may be less inclined to share them on social media platforms to avoid potential criticism. The focus of photography may also have shifted, now encompassing more images of family, pets, or natural scenery, rather than large crowds or social gatherings.

A sense of nostalgia for times before the pandemic may also encourage users to create prints as a way to revisit cherished memories.

Google has not specified a precise launch date for the new subscription, but indicates that the feature will be accessible to users in the coming weeks.