Google Photos' gen AI tools can turn pics to videos and more

The latest Photo-to-Video feature runs on Google's powerful multi-modal gen AI tool Veo 2, which can turn any photo into a 6-second short video.

Google Photos is one of the most feature-rich picture-sharing and storage applications on mobile phones. Over the years, the company has introduced several generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI) features to improve the user experience.

Now, Google Photos is adding a couple of value-added gen AI features, which will make the app even more popular among not just Android phone users, but also iPhone owners.

Firstly, Google Photos is introducing a new 'Create' tab at the bottom, positioned between the Collection and Search tabs. There, users will be able to easily find all the existing and also the two new features- Photo to Video and Remix.

The latest Photo-to-Video feature runs on Google's powerful multi-modal gen AI tool Veo 2, which can turn any photo into a short video.

Here's how to turn a picture in the Google Photos app into video:

Step 1: Tap on Create tab >> Select Photo to Video

Step 2: Select a picture from Photo gallery and choose from one of two prompts — 'Subtle movements' or 'I’m feeling lucky'.

It will animate the photo and turn static moments into dynamic 6sec video clips. It can be instantly shared on any of the social media platforms and messenger apps.

With the new 'Remix' feature, users can turn any mundane-looking image into an anime, comics, sketches or 3D animation-style picture.

Here's how to use the Remix feature on the Google Photos app:

Step 1: Tap on Create tab >> Select Remix

Step 2: Pick a photo from the gallery and choose the favourite style -- comics, sketches or 3D animation-style picture--

Step 3: Once you pick the style, it will transform pictures right in the gallery into that particular style of images in seconds. It can also be easily shared on social media platforms and messenger apps.

Like all the previous gen AI tools on Google Photos, artificially generated images and videos developed from Photo to video and Remix will include an invisible SynthID digital watermark.

For the uninitiated, SynthID is developed by Google's DeepMind division, which also works on gen AI language models for Gemini AI. It comes with several nuanced technologies to ensure the artificial images are aesthetically good and not marred with noticeable marks that compromise visual beauty.

For now, the two new features -- Photo-to-Video and Remix-- are available in the US region only. They will be made available on all Android mobiles and iPhones in global markets in the coming months.

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