Transform your photos into videos and remix your pics in Google Photos

Authors: Josh Sassoon

Publisher:

blog.google

Published: 7/23/2025

Language:English

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Ema

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Ema, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Saturday, July 26th, at 17:24. I'm joined by Mask, and today we're diving into a really fun topic: how Google Photos is transforming your pictures into videos and art.

Mask

That's right. We're not just talking about new filters. We're talking about a fundamental shift in how we interact with our visual memories. Google is weaponizing nostalgia and turning your photo library from a passive archive into an active canvas for creation. Let's get into it.

Ema

Let's get started! So, the big news, announced on July 23rd, is that Google Photos is rolling out some incredible new AI features. The first one is called 'Photo to video'. Imagine taking a favorite selfie or an old photo of a relative and seeing it come to life with subtle motion.

Mask

Subtle is one word for it. What they're really doing is injecting dynamic life into static moments. It’s powered by their Veo 2 model, turning your pictures into six-second clips. You can choose 'Subtle movements' for a gentle animation or 'I'm feeling lucky' to let the AI take the wheel completely.

Ema

Exactly! It’s about adding that little spark of magic. And then there's 'Remix'. This one is purely for fun. It lets you transform your photos into different art styles. Have you ever wondered what your dog would look like as an anime character or a 3D animation? Now you can find out.

Mask

It's a smart move. They're democratizing creativity. You don't need to be an artist. You just need a photo. They're offering styles like anime, comics, sketches, and 3D models. This isn't just a feature; it's a content engine designed for a platform with over 1.5 billion users. The scale is staggering.

Ema

That's a huge number of people who will get to play with these tools! And to make it all easy to find, Google is adding a new 'Create' tab in the app. It will bring together Photo to video, Remix, collages, and all the other creative tools into one central hub, which starts rolling out in August.

Mask

A 'hub' is a tame word. It's a command center. By consolidating tools, they streamline the creative process, encouraging more usage and generating more AI-modified content. It's a feedback loop. More creation, more data, better models. It's relentless forward progress. They're not asking permission to innovate.

Ema

It does seem very user-focused, making powerful tools accessible. The article quoted a great line: "Google Photos is enhancing creativity with new AI features, allowing users to turn photos into videos and remix them into various styles via a new 'Create' tab." It perfectly summarizes the goal.

Mask

The goal is dominance. By embedding these tools directly into the gallery, they're making AI creation an impulse, not a destination. It's a frictionless path from memory to shareable content. And they know that content will be shared, which is why they're adding digital watermarks to everything. A necessary, pragmatic step.

Ema

That makes sense. So, how does this technology actually work? The articles mention something called Veo 2 and Veo 3. It sounds like this has been in development for a while, not just for Google Photos, but across different Google products, right? It seems to be the engine behind all this.

Mask

Exactly. Veo isn't just some new photo filter. It's a state-of-the-art video generation model. Think of it as a leap forward in AI understanding motion and physics. Veo 2 can create 720p, eight-second clips from text prompts. It’s about creating cinematic realism, not just gimmicky effects. This is serious tech.

Ema

So the 'Photo to video' feature in Google Photos is a version of that more powerful tool? The background materials say that the full version of Veo is available to Google One AI Premium subscribers in Gemini Advanced. They can type a description and generate a whole video clip.

Mask

Yes, and they're not stopping there. They're already on Veo 3, which is even more powerful. In the last seven weeks alone, users have generated over 40 million videos with it. This isn't an experiment anymore; it's a mass-market creative platform. The Photos integration is just a brilliant way to deploy it to billions of casual users.

Ema

It’s fascinating how it all connects back to Gemini. I remember when it was called Bard. The timeline shows such a rapid evolution. It started with text, then it learned to create images in February 2024, and now it's generating high-quality video. It feels like it's learning at an incredible speed.

Mask

That rebranding from Bard to Gemini wasn't just marketing. It was a declaration of intent. It signaled a shift to their most powerful models. They integrated it with Workspace, Maps, and YouTube. They added coding abilities, data visualization... each step was a calculated move to build a more capable, indispensable AI. It had to evolve or die.

Ema

And this all started years ago. I see notes about updates from way back in July 2023, when they first added Google Lens to Bard, letting you upload images. It seems so obvious now, but that was a key step towards this new photo-to-video world we're seeing today. First, understand images, then animate them.

Mask

It’s a classic strategy: build a foundation, then expand aggressively. First, text. Then, understand images with Lens. Then, generate images with Imagen 3. Now, generate video with Veo. Each feature builds on the last. It's a relentless, methodical conquest of creative expression, and putting it in Photos is the final step to bring it to the masses.

Ema

But this rapid progress brings up some really tough questions, doesn't it? The articles touch on a major conflict: the ethics of AI art and how these models are trained. They learn by analyzing billions of images, and a lot of that is copyrighted work from artists who never gave their consent.

Mask

Conflict is the engine of progress. Of course, it's disruptive. The Lensa app made millions using Stable Diffusion, which was trained on images scraped from the internet, including countless artists' work. The old models of creativity are being broken down. You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. It's messy, but necessary.

Ema

But is it fair to the artists? People like Greg Rutkowski have seen their unique style replicated thousands of times by AI, diluting their brand and making it harder to make a living. One artist was quoted saying a tool that makes mass-produced copies isn't a tool, "it is a weapon." That's a powerful statement.

Mask

It's provocative, but it misses the point. You can't copyright a style. Art has always been about building on what came before. Picasso himself said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal." AI is just doing it at a scale and speed we've never seen before. The AI is a tool, and it's up to the user—the new 'art director'—to use it skillfully.

Ema

I see the argument, but there's a real human cost. Artists are protesting on platforms like ArtStation. They're worried that this devalues the years of practice and skill it takes to become an artist. The concern is that AI art is an "unmaking" of humans, removing the challenge and joy from the creative process itself.

Mask

That’s a romantic, but naive, view of creation. Every technological revolution has been met with fear. The camera was supposed to kill painting. Digital tools were supposed to kill traditional art. This is no different. The industry is in a "Wild West" phase, but it will stabilize. New roles will emerge. The artists who adapt will thrive. Those who don't, won't. It's brutal, but that's how innovation works.

Ema

This is clearly bigger than just a few fun features in an app. The impact of Google's AI push is reshaping how we find information and interact with the web. The articles talk about "Google AI Mode," which provides summarized answers instead of just links. That has huge implications.

Mask

Of course. It's about efficiency and owning the user experience. Why send users to external websites when you can give them the answer directly? It's a strategic play to keep users within the Google ecosystem. The data shows AI Overviews already reach 1.5 billion users monthly. The tide is turning.

Ema

But it's causing a lot of concern. Publishers and content creators are reporting significant drops in organic traffic, some as high as 60%. If AI summarizes everything, the incentive to click through to the original source disappears. How can creators survive if their audience is intercepted?

Mask

They adapt or they become irrelevant. The rules of the game are changing. Visibility is no longer about ranking first; it's about creating content that is structured, accurate, and easily summarized by AI. Content creators must shift their entire strategy to serve the AI, which in turn serves the user. It's a paradigm shift.

Ema

It seems to be working, from Google's perspective. User queries are getting longer and more conversational, and session times are increasing. But it's also a market share battle. Google Gemini is still trailing behind ChatGPT. This aggressive push with AI Mode feels like a direct response to that competition.

Mask

It's a war for the future of information. Google has the advantage of scale and integration across its products. They're leveraging their 13.4% market share and massive cloud infrastructure to drive adoption. The revenue numbers don't lie: Alphabet's income is up 46%. They are funding this war with their profits, and they intend to win.

Ema

With all this power to create and alter images and videos, the potential for misuse is pretty scary. How does Google plan to address that? The future seems to depend on being able to trust what we see. The articles mentioned a technology called SynthID for this.

Mask

Responsibility is a strategic pillar. You can't build a global AI platform on a foundation of chaos. SynthID is the solution. It’s an imperceptible digital watermark embedded directly into the pixels of AI-generated content. It's designed to survive cropping, resizing, and compression. It’s a permanent signature of artificial origin.

Ema

So, when you use the new 'Photo to video' or 'Remix' feature in Google Photos, the final video or image will automatically have this invisible SynthID watermark, plus a visible one? That feels like a really important step towards transparency for users.

Mask

It's more than transparency; it's about control and setting the standard. By integrating SynthID directly into Photos and Magic Editor, Google is establishing a rule: if you use our powerful tools, you accept our mark of authenticity. They're not just hoping for a safer AI future; they are engineering it. It's a pragmatic and necessary move.

Ema

So, Google Photos is becoming a creative powerhouse with its new AI tools, turning our memories into dynamic videos and art. But it's part of a much larger, more complex story about technology, ethics, and the future of information itself. That's all the time we have for today's discussion.

Mask

Indeed. The future is here, and it’s being generated one photo at a time. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod. We'll be back tomorrow to dissect the next disruption. See you then.

## Google Photos Enhances Creativity with New AI-Powered Video and Art Tools **Report Provider:** blog.google **Author:** Josh Sassoon **Publication Date:** July 23, 2025 Google Photos is rolling out significant updates, introducing new AI-powered features designed to transform static images into dynamic short videos and artistic creations. These enhancements aim to provide users with more creative ways to interact with and share their memories. ### Key Features and Updates: * **Photo to Video:** This new feature allows users to animate still photos, bringing them to life with subtle movements. Users can select a photo and choose from two prompts: "Subtle movements" or "I'm feeling lucky," to generate six-second video clips. This capability is powered by Veo 2 and is currently rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS. * **Remix:** This feature transforms photos into various art styles, including anime, comics, sketches, and 3D animations, in a matter of seconds. Users can select a photo from their gallery and choose their preferred style. Remix is also beginning its rollout in the U.S. on Android and iOS within the next few weeks. * **Create Tab:** A new "Create" tab is being introduced within the Google Photos app. This dedicated hub will consolidate all creative tools, including Photo to Video, Remix, collages, and highlight videos, making them easily accessible for users. The Create tab is scheduled to begin rolling out in the U.S. in August. ### AI Transparency and Safety Measures: Google is emphasizing responsible AI implementation with these new features. * **Watermarking:** All AI-generated content from Photo to Video and Remix will include an invisible SynthID digital watermark. Additionally, videos generated in Photos will feature a visual watermark for enhanced transparency, similar to those seen in Gemini-generated videos. * **Safety Precautions:** Google is implementing safety measures, including extensive "red teaming" to identify and address potential issues proactively. Thorough evaluations are also being conducted to understand feature usage and prevent misuse. ### Experimental Nature and User Feedback: Google acknowledges that these AI features are experimental, and some outputs may not be precisely as expected or could be inaccurate. Users are encouraged to provide feedback using the thumbs up and down buttons on generated images and videos to help Google improve safety measures and the overall user experience. ### Overall Impact: These updates position Google Photos as more than just a storage service, transforming it into a creative canvas for users to "bring their memories to life in new ways." The integration of AI-powered tools aims to simplify the creation of engaging visual content and encourage user creativity.

Read original at blog.google →

Turn static images into short videos and transform them into fun art styles, plus explore a new creation hub, all in Google Photos.General summaryGoogle Photos now lets you turn photos into videos and remix them into different styles. Use the new Photo to video feature to animate your pictures or Remix to transform them into anime or 3D art.

Look for these tools in the new Create tab rolling out soon and know that Google includes watermarks and safety measures on AI generated content.Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.Bullet pointsGoogle Photos adds creative tools! "Transform your photos into videos and remix your pics."

Photo to video lets you animate still photos with "Subtle movements" or "I'm feeling lucky.""Remix" turns your photos into anime, comics, sketches, or 3D animations in seconds.A new "Create" tab in the Photos app puts all creative tools in one easy spot.AI-generated content will have watermarks, and Google is taking safety precautions.

Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.Basic explainerGoogle Photos has some cool new tricks. Now, you can turn your photos into short videos with movement. Plus, it can change your pictures into cartoons or drawings. There's also a new "Create" button to find all these fun tools in one place.

Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.Explore other styles:Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos, but don't worry, you candownload itand watch it with your favorite video player!Google Photos began as a place to store your memories and turned into much more.

It's a way to explore your images and reminisce, share them easily and even get creative.Today we're introducing a few new creative tools that will help you bring your memories to life. With new features for making videos from still photos, transforming pictures into illustrations and more, there's a lot to try — and then share them with friends and family.

Here's a look at what's new.Bring your photos to life with Photo to videoWe’ve already seen so much creativity from people using our video generation tools across Google products, including the new photo-to-video capability in Gemini (and now YouTube). Starting today, we’re bringing a similar photo-to-video feature (powered by Veo 2) to Google Photos, making it easier than ever for you to create fun, short videos from the photos already saved in your gallery.

Imagine that perfect selfie with friends from a few years ago suddenly coming to life with subtle movements, or a cherished photo of your parent as a child smiling back at you.Just select a picture from your photo gallery and choose from one of two prompts — “Subtle movements” or “I’m feeling lucky” — to animate your photo and turn static moments into dynamic six-second video clips1that are ready to share.

Photo to video in Google Photos is starting to roll out today in the U.S. on Android and iOS.“Remix” your photosHave you ever wondered what you, your friends and family or even your pets would look like as anime, comics, sketches or 3D animations? With Remix in Google Photos, pick a photo from your gallery and choose your favorite style to easily transform pictures right in your gallery into these kinds of images in seconds to share with your friends and family.

Remix will start rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS in the next few weeks.Explore the Create tab: Your new hub for creativityWe also wanted to make it easy for you to find the tools you want to use and discover new ones, which is why we're launching a new Create tab in the Photos app. The Create tab shows each feature — including Photo to video, Remix, collages, highlight videos and more — all in one place so you can let your creativity flow.

We'll update this hub as we gather feedback, experiment with new tools and refine the ones you love. The Create tab will begin rolling out in the U.S. in August.Know you can use AI tools safely with added transparencyAs we bring features like Photo to video and Remix to people, we know it’s important to do so responsibly, providing transparency when images are created or edited using our photo and video generation tools.

All videos and photos generated with Photo to video and Remix will include an invisible SynthID digital watermark — just like images edited using Reimagine in Photos. Videos generated in Photos will also include a visual watermark for added transparency, similar to what you’ll see on videos generated in Gemini.

We want everyone to have a good experience with Photo to video and Remix, which is why we take safety measures. This includes extensive "red teaming" to proactively identify and address potential issues, as well as thorough evaluations to understand how these features can be used and prevent misuse.

These features are experimental, and we know some outputs may not be exactly what you expect or may even be inaccurate. Use the thumbs up and down buttons on your generated images and videos to give us feedback, which we'll use to make ongoing improvements to our safety measures and overall experience.

Your photo library In Google Photos is more than an archive, it's a canvas. We’re excited to see how you use these tools to bring your memories to life in new ways.Related stories

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