Picasa being closed in shift to Google Photos

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SAN FRANCISCO—Google on Friday said it will be closing Picasa to shift its focus to the new Google Photos service launched less than a year ago.

“We believe we can create a much better experience by focusing on one service that provides more functionality and works across mobile and desktop, rather than divide our efforts across two different products,” Google Photos chief Anil Sabharwal said in a blog post.

Pictures or videos in Picasa online albums will be automatically available in people’s Google Photos accounts, according to Sabharwal.

Those wishing not to shift to the new service will still be able to view, download or delete photos in Picasa albums, but the software won’t be updated and adding images won’t be an option.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this transition causes, but we want to assure you that we are doing this with the aim of providing the best photos experience possible,” Sabharwal said.

“Google Photos is a new and smarter product.”