Google against infringement; removes 'View Image' from search

Google has removed the View Image button in all image searches. If you search an image on images.google.com, you will no longer get the option to view the image in a different window. Although Google didn't give any explanation on why the change was made, but this could be a move to cut down on image theft and ad revenue loss.

The View Image button offered bots a simpler way to pull images from all over the web and use it for any purpose. Also, when the users pull an image directly from Google, they don't engage with the information surrounding the image.

The company took to Twitter to announce the news. In a statement about the removal of View Image button, an emphasis was made that the Visit button still remains. Now when a user needs an image for their own use, they will have to first visit the website.

This move also reflects the recent partnership between Google and Getty Images, which was put in place to cut down copyright infringement on the internet.

With the infringement on the rise, sites are already making it harder for users to download the images. Many sites are converting the traditional image formats like JPEG and PNG to other formats that do not allow users to download the image easily.

Earlier, users would be given the option to 'Save image as..' when right-clicked on an image, but the new formats do not provide users with such option. Although it's easy to open the browser's code and find the raw image link, for a huge number of users, it would be rocket science.

Besides, Google is also testing its Smart Replies feature for third-party apps. The new project is called 'Reply' and will only be available for Android users for now, according to Reply's sign-up form available.

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The screenshots in Reply's announcement shows how it integrates with Google Hangouts and Android Messages. The replies take user's current location into consideration in order to craft a correct response. For example, 'yes' or 'no' if you've arrived somewhere or the time it will take for you to reach the given location.

Android Messages has already started rolling support for the new feature but only for select users. But what's more interesting that Google is planning to cram this feature in third-party apps as well.