Google is getting ready to unveil a new online picture sharing and storage service at the company’s upcoming Google I/O software developers conference later this month.

Not linked with Google+, the tool will supposedly allow users to post pictures to Facebook and Twitter in a more straightforward way than is currently possible through Google. It will also represent another stab on Google’s part at the photo-sharing market currently dominated by Instagram, Snapchat and Flickr.

Making the new photo service standalone is an example of Google following the strategy of Facebook, which acquired Instagram back in 2012, but has kept it largely separate as a business. During that time, the number of Instagram users has grown to upwards of 300 million.

While Google’s record at introducing new services is a mixed bag, there’s certainly potential if the company can find a new way of tweaking the concept of photo sharing.

Then again, with three massive names already in the space, how much more is there that can be done?

Source: Independent