Nexus Devices Could Avoid Google's Monthly Photo Charge

Written By Paul Monckton Forbes Contributor

Google GOOGL +1.43% may soon offer unlimited uncompressed photo and 4K video storage for free – as long as you’re using a Nexus device.
According to sleuths over at Android Police, the latest version of Google’s free photo sharing app contains text hinting strongly that those using Nexus devices will no-longer be limited to 16 megapixel or 1080p video uploads before their media become automatically downsized

Nexus Devices may soon gain free services others have to pay for (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Users wishing to upload high resolution images or video in it’s original quality currently have to subscribe to one of Google’s paid storage plans if they exceed the 15GB of free storage currently offered. This currently stands at $9.99 per month for 1TB
However, it looks like Nexus users may soon become exempt from this tariff altogether.
A look deep inside the .apk file containing the latest version of the Google Photos Android app has revealed the following text:

<string name=”photos_onboarding_nexus_back_up_your_photos”>With Nexus, back up all you want!</string>
<string name=”photos_onboarding_nexus_back_up_your_photos_description”>Unlimited free storage for original quality photos &amp; videos uploaded from your Nexus device</string>

These lines of code strongly suggest that Nexus users might one day be able to enjoy “Unlimited free storage for original quality photos and videos your Nexus device”. Although no such functionality has yet been confirmed, it’s a strong hint that Google has some preferential treatment in store for its loyal customers and perhaps more ambitious plans for its typically low key Nexus range in the near future.
As it stands, Google’s 16 megapixel limit is more than adequate for most users of the service: current Nexus devices shoot at 12 megapixels and images taken with the built in camera are therefore less affected by the limit. However, the removal of the 1080p cap for video would mean 4K video could now be backed up online.
Furthermore, the text in the code says “uploaded from your Nexus device”, not “shot with your Nexus device”. This could mean that high resolution images and video captured with a DSLR and transferred to the phone via Wi-Fi could also be backed up and shared in their original quality. This could be a boon for professional photographers who want to share high resolution images and even more useful as an off-site backup of an entire image library – if Google were to allow it.
Of course, this sort of thing would be even easier if Nexus devices supported MicroSD cards, but you can’t have everything…

Source: Forbes Tech