Google Photos has made its AI editing tools available for free to all users on Android and iOS. These tools, previously limited to Pixel phones or required a Google One subscription, include Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Portrait Light. Magic Eraser allows users to remove unwanted subjects or objects from an image.
Magic Editor uses AI to enable users to move elements within a photo, with the AI generating a new background to fill in the gap. Photo Unblur uses AI to sharpen fuzzy or blurry images, while Portrait Light adjusts the lighting in a photo. Selena Shang, a senior product manager at Google Photos, shared tips for getting the most out of these AI tools.
She recommends using both AI and traditional tools to refine photos. For example, she applies the Portrait preset in Magic Editor, cleans up distractions, and then uses the regular editor to adjust the overall tone and brightness. Shang also discussed the differences between Magic Eraser and Magic Editor’s Erase tool.
AI editing tools available to all
Magic Eraser works best for quick fixes on smaller portions of a photo, such as removing background objects in landscape shots. Magic Editor’s Erase tool is more effective for larger, more complex foreground objects.
Magic Editor offers three ways to select an item in a photo: tapping, brushing, and circling. Objects with clear boundaries are easier to select by tapping, while less distinct items may be easier to choose by circling or brushing. Users can also fine-tune their photos after applying AI-powered tweaks by using the strength slider to vary the intensity of an effect.
Google acknowledged the challenge of bringing these AI tools to a wide array of Android and iOS devices, but the engineering team worked to ensure compatibility across various devices. “It’s really exciting that so many more people will be able to use these tools,” said Shang. “And that’s the whole idea behind Google Photos’ AI tools. What your photos look like is up to you — now you just have a bigger (and smarter) toolkit.”
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
