Google Photos’ free AI tools bring your past to life, and it’s quite brilliant

What do you get when Google’s brainiest AI models meet your dusty camera roll? Apparently, six-second videos, anime remixes, and a seriously leveled-up Google Photos experience.

Google Photos (yes, that app with 1.5 billion users quietly backing up your selfies since 2015) just got its most creative update yet. The new features are AI-heavy, a little experimental, and very much in the “why didn’t we have this sooner?” category. Think of it as a kind of nostalgia playground, only turbocharged with Google’s latest generative models. Here’s everything you need to know.

What new AI tools does Google Photos have?

Leading the update is the new photo-to-video feature powered by Google’s Veo 2 model. It turns your still images into six-second video clips, complete with dynamic motion, cinematic flair, and Google’s own take on visual storytelling.

ALSO READ: How to generate videos using AI with Google Veo 2 for free

Users in the US can now play with prompts like “subtle movements” or the cheekier “I’m feeling lucky” to animate photos on both Android and iOS.

If that sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because Google’s been rolling out similar tricks in Gemini and YouTube Shorts. But this is the first time your everyday snapshots are getting the Veo treatment right inside the Photos app.

Then there’s the real wildcard feature dubbed Remix. With the help of the Imagen AI model, Remix lets you restyle any photo from your gallery in seconds; so you can generate anything from anime-inspired looks to surreal 3D reimaginings.

The new feature will be gradually rolled out to Android and iOS users in the US over the coming weeks, offering obvious creative possibilities. Oh, and all AI-generated content will include a SynthID digital watermark for transparency and traceability.

Google’s bundling these shiny tools under a new “Create” tab in the Photos app. It’s designed to be a central hub for creativity. Google says the tab will update regularly with experimental features, tools, and refinements based on user feedback.

Are you itching to try your hand at these features? Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma to know when they drop in India.