Google is on an interesting path with its latest release of the Android operating system 4.4 "KitKat". For example on the Nexus 5 Google went so far as to make the search app the default launcher. So Google's closed source search is the part that defines how your icons look on a Nexus 5. Also Google+ is being pushed more and more. Not too long ago Google added a special little App to Android which offers dedicated access to the Google+ Gallery. It also seems that step by step this new app shall replace the default Android Gallery.So to sum things up: rather generic features on an Android device (Launcher, Gallery) are slowly being replaced with "enhanced" Google services (Google Search, Google+ Photos). So if we follow Google's arguments we get exciting new features and interesting cloud stuff at the expense of being 100% tied into the Google ecosystem. I am sure there is more to come and other features will be tied into Google's services as well.So for people who like the flexibility and openness of Android it may be time to look around for viable alternatives to the "Google way". For example if you do not want to keep your pictures on Google+ and you are a big fan of yahoo's flickr then other gallery apps may be better.Recently I checked out CyanogenMod's GalleryNext. A sleek little gallery app coming from the people bringing beautiful Android versions to older devices. I must say I like it. It's lightweight, it integrates Facebook-, Flickr- and Dropbox-pictures (as well as the usual Picasa albums) and it basically has a similar look and feel as the former default Android gallery app.If you would like to give the app a try - it is currently in a testing stage, so backup your stuff an follow these steps (outlined here https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/KFiGREqst3P) :

• Join the GalleryNext Beta Community on Google+ (https://plus.google.com/communities/106197197666453984916)
• Click this link and join the betahttps://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.cyanogenmod.gallerynext
• Download the apphttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cyanogenmod.gallerynext&ah=kuF9qfWik5UtAHrQAigQqN_9FaQ