View source for Picasa

{{Short description|Image organizer and image viewer (2002–2016)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Picasa
| title = Picasa
| logo = Picasa Logo.svg
| logo_size = x64px
| screenshot = File:Picasa 3.9.jpg
| caption = Picasa version 3.9.137.141 on Windows 8.1
| author = Lifescape, Inc.
| developer = Lifescape ([[Google]])
| released = {{Start date and age|2002|10|15}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/CDXF02/1037652588.html|title=NEWS! - Lifescape's Picasa aims to be your digital "shoebox"|work=Imaging Resource|date=2002-11-18|access-date=2016-05-03|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710213445/http://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/CDXF02/1037652588.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| discontinued = yes
| replaced_by = [[Google Photos]]
| operating system = '''Desktop''':<br/>[[Windows]], [[macOS|OS X]], [[Linux]] <br/>'''Television''':<br/> [[LG Smart TV]], [[Orsay (operating system)|Orsay]] [[Google_TV_(operating_system)|Google TV]], Sony Internet TV
| genre = [[Image organizer]], [[image viewer]]
| license = [[Freeware]]
| website = {{URL|http://picasa.google.com/}}
}}

'''Picasa''' is a discontinued, cross-platform [[image organizer]] and [[image viewer]] for organizing and editing [[digital photography|digital photo]]s, integrated with a now defunct [[Photo sharing|photo-sharing]] [[website]], originally created by a company named Lifescape<ref>[http://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/CDXF02/1037652588.html Lifescape's Picasa aims to be your digital "shoebox"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710213445/http://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/CDXF02/1037652588.html |date=July 10, 2017 }}. By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource (Monday, November 18, 2002 - 15:49 EST). Published on imaging-resource.com under "Comdex Fall 2002 Show".</ref> (which at that time was incubated by Idealab) in 2002.<ref name="Ob">"Google Picasa", Obsessable (obsessable.com), 2009.</ref> "Picasa" is a [[Blend word|blend]] of the name of Spanish painter [[Pablo Picasso]], the word ''casa'' (Spanish for "house") and "pic" for pictures.<ref name="Ob"/><ref name="DJ">{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Squires |title=Google is watching more than streets with the addition of facial recognition software |website=Digitaljournal.com |date=September 3, 2008 |url= http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/259383 |access-date= February 15, 2016}}</ref><!-- source#2 for "mi casa" -->

Native applications for [[Windows XP]], [[Windows Vista]], [[Windows 7]], and [[macOS]] were available. [[Linux]] support was provided by bundling the Windows version alongside the [[Wine (software)|Wine]] compatibility layer.  An [[iPhoto]] plugin and a standalone program for uploading photos were available for Mac OS X 10.4 and later.

In July 2004, Google acquired Picasa from Lifescape and began offering it as [[freeware]].<ref name="Ob"/> The name was also registered by Google as an [[LLC]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-07-02 |title=Picasa LLC |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_de/3824740 |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=[[OpenCorporates]]}}</ref> On February 12, 2016, Google announced it was discontinuing support for Picasa Desktop and [[Picasa Web Albums]], effective March 15, 2016, and focusing on the cloud-based [[Google Photos]] as its successor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3033156/photography/google-kills-off-picasa-to-focus-its-efforts-on-google-photos.html|title=Google kills off Picasa to focus its efforts on Google Photos PCWorld|work=[[PC World]]|date=2016-02-13|access-date=2016-02-13}}</ref> Picasa Web Albums, a companion service, was closed on May 1, 2016.<ref>ELYSE BETTERS, Pocket-Lint. "[http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/136712-google-is-shutting-down-picasa-what-ll-happen-to-your-photos-and-videos Google is shutting down Picasa: What'll happen to your photos and videos?]." May 2, 2016. Retrieved Jan 26, 2017.</ref>

==Version history==

===Windows===
The latest version of Picasa is 3.9, which supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, and has [[Google+]] integration for users of that service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upload and share using Picasa |url=https://support.google.com/picasa/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=39500 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402221655/https://support.google.com/picasa/answer/39500?hl=en |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=16 July 2025 |website=Picasa and Picasa Web Albums Help}}</ref> Version 3.9 also removed integration with Picasa Web Albums for users of Google+.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://googlesystem.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/google-photos-replaces-picasa-web-in.html |title=Google+ Photos Replaces Picasa Web in the Navigation Bar |publisher= Googlesystem.blogspot.com.au |date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>

===Linux===
[[File:Picasa-KIPI-plugin.png|thumb|right|[[KDE Image Plugin Interface]] (KIPI) export to Picasaweb]]
Since June 2006, Linux versions have become available as free downloads for most distributions of the [[Linux]] operating system. It is not a native Linux program but an adapted Windows version that uses the [[Wine (software)|Wine]] libraries.<ref>{{cite web |date=2011-09-27 |title=About Picasa for Linux |url=https://support.google.com/picasa/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=112056 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113172122/https://support.google.com/picasa/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=112056 |archive-date=13 November 2012 |access-date=16 July 2025 |publisher=Google Inc.}}</ref> Google has announced that there will be no Linux version for 3.5.<ref>{{cite web |last=Claburn |first=Thomas |url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/google/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=220100440 |title=Google Releases Picasa 3.5 |publisher=Informationweek.com |date=2009-09-22 |access-date=2011-12-10}}</ref> The only officially offered 3.x version of the software is Picasa 3.0 Beta for Linux.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

On April 20, 2012, Google announced that they were deprecating Picasa for Linux and will no longer maintain it for Linux.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/spring-cleaning-in-spring.html |title=Spring-cleaning ... in spring! |publisher=Google Official Blog |date=2012-04-20 |access-date=2012-04-23}}</ref>

To use latest version of Picasa on Linux, Linux users can use [[Wine (software)|Wine]] and install Picasa for Windows.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webupd8.org/2010/04/how-to-install-picasa-36-in-ubuntu.html |title=Using Picasa 3.8 in Linux |publisher=Webupd8.org |date=2010-04-10 |access-date=2011-12-10}}</ref> Linux users can use other programs to upload to Picasa Web Albums, including [[Shotwell (software)|Shotwell]] and [[Digikam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://userbase.kde.org/Digikam/Picasa |title=How to export and import pictures to Picasaweb using digiKam |date=2011-02-15 |access-date=2013-01-10}}</ref>

===Mac OS X===
On January 5, 2009, Google released a beta version of Picasa for Mac (Intel-based Macs only).<ref>Jonathan Seff, MacWorld. "[http://www.macworld.com/article/1137912/picasa_mac.html Google releases Picasa for Mac beta]." Jan 5, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2017.</ref> Also, a plugin is available for iPhoto to upload to the Picasa Web Albums hosting service. There is also a standalone Picasa Web Albums uploading tools for OS X 10.4 or later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/introducing-picasa-for-mac-at-macworld.html |title=Introducing Picasa for Mac (at Macworld!) |date= January 5, 2009 <!-- at 02:25:00 PM  --> |publisher=Googleblog.blogspot.com}}</ref> The Picasa for Mac is a [[Google Labs]] release.

==Features==
===Organization and editing===
For organizing photos, Picasa had file importing and tracking features, as well as [[Tag (metadata)|tags]], facial recognition, and collections for further sorting. It also offers several basic photo editing functions, including color enhancement, [[red-eye effect|red eye]] reduction, and [[digital image editing|cropping]]. Other features include slide shows, printing, and image timelines. Images could also be prepared for external use, such as for e-mailing or printing, by reducing file size and setting up page layouts. There was also integration with online photo printing services. Other simple editing features included adding text to the image. Picasa supported Google's [[WebP]] image format as well as the [[JPEG|JPG]] format and most [[Raw image format]] (RAW files). A user could view and edit RAW files and save the finished edit (as JPG, or other forms) without any changes to the original RAW file.

====Keywords====
Picasa used picasa.ini files to keep track of keywords for each image. In addition to this, Picasa attached [[IPTC Information Interchange Model]] (IPTC) keyword data to JPEG files, but not to any other file format. Keywords attached to JPEG files in Picasa could be read by other image library software like [[Adobe Photoshop Album]], [[Adobe Bridge]], [[Adobe Photoshop Lightroom]], [[digiKam]], [[Aperture (software)|Aperture]], and [[iPhoto]].

According to the Picasa Readme, Picasa could parse [[Extensible Metadata Platform]] (XMP) data. However, it could not search local files for existing XMP keywords.{{clarify|what does that mean in laymans terms?|date=September 2012}}

====Searching====
Picasa had a [[search bar]] that was always visible when viewing the library. Searches were live, so that displayed items were filtered as one types. The search bar would search filenames, captions, tags, folder names, and other metadata.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/picasa/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=19859|title=Search and Locate: Search by keyword, filter, or color|access-date=2009-11-12}}</ref>

Picasa also had an experimental feature that allowed searching for images that contain certain colors with the "color" operator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://malektips.com/picasa-photo-color-search-red-green-blue.html|title=Feeling Blue? Search for Photos Matching Your Mood |publisher=Malektips.com}}</ref>

===Viewing===
Picasa has no separate view window. There is only an "edit view" with a viewing area. Fullscreen view is available in slideshow mode, by holding down the ctrl+alt keys while in "edit view", or by pressing the Alt Gr key. This feature is also available through the context menu of Windows Explorer, and provides a way to start the Picasa editor as well.

===Backup===
In Picasa 2 and earlier versions, changes to pictures made in Picasa overwrite the original file, but a backup version of the original is saved in a hidden folder named "Originals" in the same folder as the original picture (<code>.picasaoriginals</code> on Mac OS X).

In Picasa 3, changes to pictures made in Picasa are saved to a hidden file <code>picasa.ini</code> in the same folder as the original picture. This allows multiple edits to be performed without altering the original image. Viewing the picture in Picasa or using the Picasa Photo Viewer will apply modifications on the fly, whereas viewing through other programs (such as Windows XP's Photo and Fax Viewer) will display the original image. Changes can also be made permanent using the "Save" function, where the original file is backed up in a hidden folder <code>.picasaoriginals</code> located in the same folder as the original picture and the modified version is written in its place.

===Face recognition===
On August 15, 2006, Google announced it had acquired [[Hartmut Neven|Neven]] Vision, whose technology can be used to search for features within photos such as people or buildings. Google applied this technology for [[face recognition]], and this functionality was launched on Picasa Web Albums on September 2, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Picasa 3.0 (and big changes for Picasa Web Albums) |url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/introducing-picasa-30-and-big-changes.html |access-date=16 July 2025 |website=Google Official Blog}}</ref>

Neven Vision incorporates several patents<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-neven-vision-image-recognition/3728/|title=Google, Neven Vision & Image Recognition |date=16 August 2006 |publisher=Searchenginejournal.com}}</ref> specifically centered around face recognition from digital photo and video images.

===Geotagging===
Since June 2007, Picasa can write geographic coordinates to [[Exif]] metadata, thus [[geotagging]] an image.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}

Since version 3.5 of Picasa, geotagging may be done directly inside Picasa, in the Places panel.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/09/picasa-3dot5-gives-your-friends-a-facial/ |title=Picasa Photo App Gets Better at Recognizing Faces, Locations |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref>

The geotagging functionality is described in the Picasa User's Guide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Add geotags in Picasa |url=https://support.google.com/picasa/answer/161869 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603033225/https://support.google.com/picasa/answer/161869 |archive-date=3 June 2015 |access-date=16 July 2025 |website=Picasa's help and Picasa web album |publisher=Google Inc.}}</ref>

==Other Picasa applications==

===Picasa Web Albums===
{{main|Picasa Web Albums}}
Besides [[Google+]], Picasa also integrated with [[Picasa Web Albums]], an [[Image hosting service|image hosting]] and [[photo sharing|sharing]] web service. The service allowed users with a [[Google account]] to store and share their photos on the service. Users with a Google+ account received unlimited storage for photos of a resolution less than 2048x2048 pixels; all others received unlimited storage for photos of a resolution less than 800x800.

===Hello===
'''Hello''' by Google's Picasa was a free computer program that enabled users to send images across the Internet and publish them to their [[blog]]s. It was similar to an [[instant messaging]] program because it allowed users to send text, but ''Hello'' focused on [[digital photograph]]s.<ref name="hello2"/> Users could opt to view the same pictures as their friends in real-time. One of the advantages claimed at the website is that photos could be shared through firewalls.

The service was canceled at the end of 2006, and users were instructed to try the Picasa "Blog This" functionality for uploading pictures to their blogs.
According to the official website,<ref name="hello2">{{cite web|url=http://www.hello.com/|title=Hello|access-date=2010-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204034907/http://hello.com/|archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref> the Hello project was shut down on May 15, 2008.

==Discontinuation==

On February 12, 2016, Google announced that the Picasa desktop application would be discontinued on March 15, 2016, followed by the closure of the Picasa Web Albums service on May 1, 2016.<ref name=announce201602>{{cite web|last1=Sabharwal|first1=Anil|title=Moving on from Picasa|url=http://googlephotos.blogspot.com/2016/02/moving-on-from-picasa.html|website=The Official Google Picasa Blog|publisher=Google, Inc.|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> Google stated that the primary reason for retiring Picasa was that it wanted to focus its efforts "entirely on a single photos service" the cross-platform, web-based [[Google Photos]]. While support for the desktop version of Picasa ended, Google stated that users who downloaded the software, or who chose to download it prior to the March 15th deadline could still be able to use its functionality, albeit with no support from Google.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sabharwal|first1=Anil |title=Moving on From Picasa|url=http://googlephotos.blogspot.com/2016/02/moving-on-from-picasa.html|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Google Photos]]
*[[Comparison of image viewers]]
*[[Desktop organizer]]
*[[List of Google products]]
*[[List of image-sharing websites]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Picasa Web Albums}}
*{{official website|http://www.google.com/picasa}}
*[http://picasaweb.google.com Picasa Web Albums]
*[https://support.google.com/picasa/answer/53209 Picasa Release Notes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706220505/https://support.google.com/picasa/answer/53209|date=2016-07-06}}

{{Google LLC}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2002 software]]
[[Category:Discontinued Google acquisitions]]
[[Category:Discontinued Google software]]
[[Category:Discontinued Google services]]
[[Category:Proprietary image organizers]]
[[Category:Image-sharing websites]]
[[Category:Software derived from or incorporating Wine]]
[[Category:Windows graphics-related software]]
[[Category:MacOS graphics-related software]]
[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Proprietary freeware for Windows]]
[[Category:Proprietary freeware for macOS]]