X

Report: Google to rebrand Blogger, Picasa

Google wants to respectively rename the services Google Blogs and Google Photos, according to a Mashable report.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger

Google is planning to rebrand two of its most popular services, Mashable is reporting.

Citing anonymous sources, the social-media blog said Google is planning to change the names of its Picasa photo management service and its Blogger blog platform to Google Photos and Google Blogs, respectively.

Google acquired Picasa in 2004 for an undisclosed sum. Its technology, which can be downloaded or used online, helps users edit and manage photos. In 2003, Google acquired Blogger owner Pyra Labs for an undisclosed sum.

According to Mashable, Google's decision to rebrand Picasa and Blogger is the result of its desire to "unify its brand" ahead of the public launch of its new social project, Google+. The search company already has several services that use its Google branding, including Google Docs and Google Apps.

Although Google reportedly plans to rebrand Picasa and Blogger in the next four to six weeks, it's worth noting that Mashable's sources said Google has no plans to rename YouTube, even though it doesn't have "Google" in its name. The search company previously offered a Google Video service but shut that down earlier this year.

Google declined CNET's request to comment on Mashable's report.

Update at 1:58 p.m. PT to include Google's response for CNET's request for comment.