Useful utilities/programs, windows only

[chff]

Oh, Motion photo is not Motion pictures... (for real.)

OK sorry

If they're synced with Google Photos, you should be able to view the motion photo on the website.

That's how I view them now, but looking for a PC option

[Yisroel Tech]

That's how I view them now, but looking for a PC option

Unfortunately, there is no way. The issue isn't that there is no viewer, it's just that apparently you cannot get the files of the motion photo to the PC.

[chff]

Unfortunately, there is no way. The issue isn't that there is no viewer, it's just that apparently you cannot get the files of the motion photo to the PC.

But if google is able to view it when I download from my phone and upload to Photos (and those taken by Samsung as well)

[Yisroel Tech]

But if google is able to view it when I download from my phone and upload to Photos (and those taken by Samsung as well)

Google is not able to view it when importing a JPG to it (since a JPG can't contain the motion.)

[chff]

Google is not able to view it when importing a JPG to it (since a JPG can't contain the motion.)

Fact: they are

[Yisroel Tech]

Fact: they are

You copy the JPG to your PC, upload it to Google Photos website (they are not there auto synced from the phone), and it shows the motion?

If that is true, maybe it's not really a JPG file. You can upload it here to identify what's the real file type https://mark0.net/onlinetrid.html

[chff]

You copy the JPG to your PC, upload it to Google Photos website (they are not there auto synced from the phone), and it shows the motion?

Exactly, and Google Photos shows both the Pixel & Samsung motion pics.

If that is true, maybe it's not really a JPG file. You can upload it here to identify what's the real file type https://mark0.net/onlinetrid.html

It's a jpg. Samsung has no different naming format, Google used to do MVIMG (instead of IMG) and not they do PXL. ending with .MP
https://9to5google.com/2020/08/20/google-camera-7-5-pxl/

[Yo ssi]

Google is not able to view it when importing a JPG to it (since a JPG can't contain the motion.)

The way Samsung does it is, they store multiple pictures in one .jpg, Google has the ability to view and export those jpg files. There is desktop software out there like this

[Yisroel Tech]

Exactly, and Google Photos shows both the Pixel & Samsung motion pics.

It's a jpg. Samsung has no different naming format, Google used to do MVIMG (instead of IMG) and not they do PXL. ending with .MP
https://9to5google.com/2020/08/20/google-camera-7-5-pxl/

MVIMG, IMG, and PXL are just the filenames, not the type.

I searched now, and it seems that the way they work is by saving the MP4 video file in the JPG file (and photo viewers just disregard it) see the technical details here https://medium.com/android-news/working-with-motion-photos-da0aa49b50c

As far as I know, there is no Windows desktop viewer for it. But if you want, you can extract the MP4 files and then view it in a video player (like the app @Yo ssi linked ot a tool like this one https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-to-extract-samsung-motion-photos-to-plain-jpg-and-mp4.3568899/)

--------
ETA:

Samsung does have a Windows app that seems to be able to do it, check it out Samsung Gallery

[ExGingi]

Working with tech support on a certain issue I had today, I was introduced to AdvancedRun.exe

For tech geeks that appreciate good system tools, the website of the developer is a treasure trove.

https://www.nirsoft.net/

[AsherO]

Working with tech support on a certain issue I had today, I was introduced to AdvancedRun.exe

For tech geeks that appreciate good system tools, the website of the developer is a treasure trove.

https://www.nirsoft.net/

Yup, remember using his tools forever ago to show saved WiFi passwords and extract MS Office license keys.

[chff]

Yup, remember using his tools forever ago to show saved WiFi passwords and extract MS Office license keys.

And extract Outlook saved email logins....

[chff]

Samsung does have a Windows app that seems to be able to do it, check it out Samsung Gallery

Thanks! - works for Samsung Motion Photos

I searched now, and it seems that the way they work is by saving the MP4 video file in the JPG file (and photo viewers just disregard it) see the technical details here https://medium.com/android-news/working-with-motion-photos-da0aa49b50c

I transferred a single JPG from my phone to my PC (about 4 MB) and was able to view it on my PC, no MP4 involved

[Definitions]

Windows Steps Recorder. Never heard of it until now.

[etech0]

Has anyone used https://appetize.io/ for an android emulator?

[Alexsei]

Has anyone used https://appetize.io/ for an android emulator?

Used

[AsherO]

Has anyone used https://appetize.io/ for an android emulator?

Any reason not to use BlueStacks? Android emulation sucks the resources out of a regular computer while using it.

[etech0]

I only need a tiny amount of occasional usage and last time I tried bluestacks it was a whole process to turn on, hogged tons of resources, and was buggy and crashy. Hoping for something lightweight and easy to turn on and off.

Any specific recommendations?

[Yo ssi]

I only need a tiny amount of occasional usage and last time I tried bluestacks it was a whole process to turn on, hogged tons of resources, and was buggy and crashy. Hoping for something lightweight and easy to turn on and off.

Any specific recommendations?

There's a lot out there, back in the day I had Android x86 installed on one of my computers
Android studio has a decent emulator.

[Jojo202]

I only need a tiny amount of occasional usage and last time I tried bluestacks it was a whole process to turn on, hogged tons of resources, and was buggy and crashy. Hoping for something lightweight and easy to turn on and off.

Any specific recommendations?

Wait until Windows 11!....
oh... I guess wait until this specific selling-point of windows 11 is actually added, fixed, debugged, polished, and then you have a (possibly) great built-in Android emulator.