Google is enhancing its platforms, Google Photos and YouTube Shorts, by introducing new AI-driven functionalities that enable users to turn their still images into videos. These tools share similarities with the photo-to-video features powered by the Veo 3 model, recently incorporated into the Gemini app. However, the new tools utilize the earlier Veo 2 model, resulting in more restrictions on their use.
In Google Photos, the photo-to-video feature generates clips limited to six seconds in length. Meanwhile, the functionality in YouTube Shorts allows users to choose their desired clip length. However, unlike Gemini or the use of Veo 2 directly, these new tools do not support user-generated prompts for the output. Instead, users can pick from predefined prompts, such as “Subtle movements” or “I’m feeling lucky” in Google Photos.
The rollout of these features begins today in the United States for Google Photos on both Android and iOS platforms, with YouTube Shorts users in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand set to receive access over the next week.
Additionally, a new Remix tool for Google Photos will be available to users in the US on Android and iOS within the coming weeks. This tool offers options to transform images into various styles such as anime, sketches, and 3D animations. The photo-to-video and Remix functionalities will be incorporated into a new Create tab, which launches in the Photos app next month. This tab will group these features with other creative options, such as collages and highlight videos, enhancing user accessibility.
Google has indicated that the Remix and photo-to-video functionalities are in an “experimental” phase and might yield inconsistent results. Users will have the opportunity to provide feedback by rating the generated content, which will help Google refine these tools in the future. All AI-generated images and videos will feature Google’s invisible SynthID digital watermark. Additionally, videos produced within Google Photos will display a visible watermark to denote their AI origin.
YouTube Shorts is also receiving generative AI effects that can produce images from doodles and apply unique video effects to selfies, such as simulating an underwater swimming experience. To facilitate user access, YouTube has introduced an AI Playground hub, viewable by clicking the sparkle icon during video creation. This hub is currently available for Shorts users in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as part of the initial rollout.
This enhancement builds upon the existing generative AI features in Google Photos, positioning them significantly ahead of Apple’s offerings in the iOS Photos app. The two companies adopt different strategies: Google allows for broader creative expression, whereas Apple’s Image Playground tool deliberately avoids generating photorealistic imagery to address concerns related to deepfakes and misinformation.
