Highlights
- Google Photos now lets users turn still images into short AI-generated videos with added motion and sound.
- Users can type instructions to define how elements move, choose light motion, or use automatic effects.
- The update generates new video frames based on prompts and adds automatic audio, creating more engaging, story-like clips.
(Photo by Rubaitul Azad on Unsplash)
Google Photos is rolling out an updated version of its “Photo to video” feature that brings motion and sound to still images using AI. First introduced last year, the tool initially relied on preset effects to animate photos. With the latest update, Google is adding support for written instructions, giving users more control over how their images move and feel.
Photo to Video Feature in Google Photos
The “Photo to video” feature in Google Photos turns a single still image into a short AI-generated video. When it launched last year, the focus was on simplicity, allowing users to select a photo and apply basic motion using preset options within the app.
These effects added subtle animations to images but offered limited customisation.
How Text Prompts Work in the Photo to Video Feature?
According to Google, the new option appears in the Create section of the Google Photos app. After choosing “Photo to video” and selecting an image, users are now presented with three options. The first lets them type a short description explaining how elements in the photo should move.
The second applies light motion such as small changes in facial expression or posture. The third option, labelled “I’m feeling lucky,” generates a clip automatically without user direction and may introduce broader movement or visual elements.
Once a text prompt is entered and the user taps generate, the system processes the image and creates a short video within seconds.
Custom Prompts
With the introduction of text prompts, users are no longer limited to preset animations. They can now describe the mood or movement they want such as gentle background motion or cinematic camera movement.
Users can also request a specific visual mood, making the feature more flexible and closer to Gemini-style AI tools that generate video from prompts.
How Google Applies Motion and Sound?
Google says its goal is to make photo editing more adaptable without adding complicated tools.
This update also helps Google Photos stand out from other gallery apps that rely on repetitive motion or simple depth effects. Instead of reusing existing frames, the tool generates new video frames based on the user’s text input.
The feature includes age restrictions and is not available to users under 18. To help beginners, Google suggests sample prompts within the app, which users can edit, expand, or regenerate until they are satisfied with the result.
Another key improvement is automatic audio generation. By default, the feature can add sound to clips, making them feel more complete and emotionally engaging. Users can also combine background audio with motion, effectively turning still images into short, story-like videos.
FAQs
Q1. What does the updated “Photo to video” feature in Google Photos do?
Answer. It turns a single still image into a short AI-generated video with added motion and sound.
Q2. How do the Google Photos text prompts work in the Photo to Video feature?
Answer. Users can type instructions describing how elements should move, apply light motion, or use “I’m feeling lucky” for automatic effects.
Q3. What new improvements make the Photo to Video feature in Google Photos more engaging?
Answer. It now generates new video frames based on prompts, adds automatic audio, and allows flexible customisation for apps, notifications, or moods.
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