Google Photos’ newest feature lets you share yourself

According to Google, the feature is experimental, so the images generated “may not exactly match the original image.” It is suggested to upload well-lit, focused, forward-facing photos for best results.

The extension is meant to be just a fun way to explore your photos and experience Google’s Gemini AI technology, specifically Nano Banana. Google’s popular AI photo model powers other AI features in the Google Photos app, such as the ability to recreate photos in new styles, such as animation or paintings.

Although it’s a fairly subtle addition, these types of features help remind users to return to the Photos app when they want to try out the AI ​​tools, rather than going to a competing product.

Additionally, users tend to gravitate toward features that show themselves in AI edits, as OpenAI found with its successful launch of the Sora app, which lets you create AI-powered videos that can include yourself and your friends.

Meme isn’t fully rolled out, so you may not see it in the updated Google Photos app yet. When available, Google says, it will appear under the “Create” tab. A Google representative told TechCrunch that the feature will reach iOS and Android users in the US in the “coming weeks.”

To use this feature, you select a template or upload your own, then click Add Image and Create. Google notes that more templates are being added over time. After the AI ​​creates the image, you can save the image, share it on other platforms, or click “Renew” to reimagine the image again.