Rumor: Google wants to make photos on Google+ a separate service

Google is rumored to be planning to separate the photo service integrated into the Google+ social network to make it a separate service. With this, the internet giant would like to attract more new users.

The plans have not been confirmed by Google, but Bloomberg says it has sources that have information about the Google+ photo service. The separate Google+ Photos service would allow users to upload photos even without being a member of the social network. Despite the plans to tear down the photo service, it would remain part of the social network. Google itself would neither confirm nor deny the plans. The company previously said that 1.5 billion photos are uploaded to Google+ every week.

By giving the photo service more autonomy, Google would like to attract more users. The social network Google+ enjoys little popularity, which means that the removal of the photo service may bring new users. However, Google already has a photo service with Picasa; it is unclear to what extent any new service will be integrated with this. No details are yet known about what the new photo service will look like, although Bloomberg does state that Google is considering a new brand name.