Google Photos Rolls Out New AI Enhance, Video Speed Controls, and Enhanced Photo-to-Video Features

Google Photos is rolling out a series of new features and enhancements to its platform for Android and iOS users. These updates include an "AI Enhance" tool for photo adjustments, expanded video playback speed controls, and significant upgrades to its "Photo to video" generation feature, introducing custom prompts and default audio.

Photo Enhancement and Video Playback

A new "AI Enhance" button is being made available to Android users globally. This feature provides an automated, one-tap solution for adjusting photo lighting and color, serving as an alternative to manual editing processes. The introduction of this tool was announced via Google Photos' social media channels.

The new "AI Enhance" tool offers Android users a one-tap solution for automated photo adjustments, enhancing lighting and color effortlessly.

Concurrently, video playback speed controls are being implemented within the Google Photos app on Android. This feature, which was a requested addition from users, allows for playback speeds ranging from 0.25x to 2x and is accessible through the three-dot menu during video playback. The rollout for video speed controls may be more gradual and is not yet global, unlike the AI Enhance tool.

Photo-to-Video Generation Updates

The "Photo to video" generation feature in Google Photos is also receiving two key upgrades. Previously, users had limited options, either 'Subtle movement' or 'I’m feeling lucky'.

The new enhancements include:

• Custom Prompts: The feature now supports custom prompts, enabling users to describe desired movement, style, or effects for their generated videos. This functionality is similar to capabilities found in the Gemini app. The interface will also offer prompt suggestions and allow for editing after a video has been generated.
• Default Audio: Generated videos may now include audio by default, a feature that was previously announced in conjunction with Veo 3.

Google Photos' "Photo to video" generation is significantly enhanced with custom prompts and default audio, offering users greater creative control and customization.

This update for the 'Photo to video' feature is currently rolling out and is accessible in the Create tab on both Android and iOS devices. The Create tab also houses other tools such as Create with AI, Remix, Collage, Highlight video, Cinematic photo, Animation, and Me Meme. All Google Photos users are allocated a daily quota for video generations, with subscribers to AI Pro and AI Ultra receiving increased limits.