Picasa

Picasa
Original author(s)Lifescape, Inc.
Developer(s)Lifescape (Google)
Initial releaseOctober 15, 2002; 22 years ago (2002-10-15)[1]
Final release
  • Windows:
    3.9.141.259 (9 October 2015; 9 years ago (2015-10-09)) [±][2]
  • Mac:
    3.9.141.306 (9 October 2015; 9 years ago (2015-10-09)) [±][2]
Operating systemWindows, OS X, LG Smart TV
TypeImage organizer, image viewer
LicenseFreeware
Websitepicasa.google.com

Picasa was a cross-platform image organizer and image viewer for organizing and editing digital photos, integrated with a now defunct photo-sharing website, originally created by a company named Lifescape[3] (which at that time was incubated by Idealab) in 2002.[4] "Picasa" is a blend of the name of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, the word casa (Spanish for "house") and "pic" for pictures.[4][5]

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 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.[4] The name was also registered by Google as an LLC.[6] 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.[7] Picasa Web Albums, a companion service, was closed on May 1, 2016.[8]

  1. ^ "NEWS! - Lifescape's Picasa aims to be your digital "shoebox"". Imaging Resource. November 18, 2002. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Picasa Release Notes". Picasa Resources. Google. October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  3. ^ Lifescape's Picasa aims to be your digital "shoebox". By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource (Monday, November 18, 2002 - 15:49 EST). Published on imaging-resource.com under "Comdex Fall 2002 Show".
  4. ^ a b c "Google Picasa", Obsessable (obsessable.com), 2009.
  5. ^ Squires, Michael (September 3, 2008). "Google is watching more than streets with the addition of facial recognition software". Digitaljournal.com. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "Picasa LLC". OpenCorporates. July 2, 2004. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Google kills off Picasa to focus its efforts on Google Photos PCWorld". PC World. February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  8. ^ ELYSE BETTERS, Pocket-Lint. "Google is shutting down Picasa: What'll happen to your photos and videos?." May 2, 2016. Retrieved Jan 26, 2017.