Google has officially announced that its Magic Editor AI image editing tool in Google Photos will be free for all users starting May 15.
This rollout applies to anyone using a Chromebook Plus with ChromeOS version 118+ or a smartphone equipped with at least 3GB of RAM and running Android 8.0, iOS 15, or higher.
In the meantime, let's know about the other AI features coming soon to Google Photos.
Usage Limits and Subscription Options
While the Magic Editor tool will be freely accessible, there is a caveat. Users can save up to 10 edited images per month at no cost.
Those who need more editing capacity can either use a Pixel device, which now includes extended access across all Pixel models, or subscribe to a Google One plan starting at 2TB for $9.99 a month.
This subscription not only expands the image-saving capacity but also offers additional Google service benefits.
Innovative Features of the Magic Editor
Portrait Light
Enhance your portraits effortlessly with the Portrait Light feature. This tool adjusts and optimizes lighting conditions in your photos, ensuring your face is well-illuminated regardless of the environmental lighting.
This feature is perfect for users who want to capture well-lit portraits against any backdrop.
Magic Editor
The core feature, Magic Editor, utilizes generative AI to allow users to reposition subjects within their photos seamlessly. This tool is particularly handy for adjusting image aspect ratios to fit various social media platforms or to bring subjects closer from the fringes to the center of the frame.
While not flawless, the Magic Editor generally produces high-quality edits that enhance the overall composition of photos.
Photo Unblur
For those perfect shots marred only by unwanted blur, Photo Unblur comes to the rescue. Armed with advanced Denoise and Sharpen tools, this AI-driven feature refines and sharpens blurred images, often achieving more natural-looking results than manual photo editing tools.
Magic Eraser
An older yet highly useful feature, Magic Eraser helps users clean up their photos by removing unwanted elements.
Whether it's an accidental photobomber or some visual clutter, Magic Eraser simplifies photo clean-ups. However, for larger objects, the tool might leave some blurring, which could require additional touch-ups.
Sky Replacement
The Sky Replacement feature rounds off the toolset. Ideal for enhancing dreary skies in photos, this tool swaps gray clouds for clear blue skies while adjusting the scene's lighting to match.
It's especially valuable for users in typically overcast regions, adding a vibrant touch to their outdoor photographs without losing the natural feel.
Google's integration of these sophisticated AI tools into Google Photos democratizes professional-level photo editing, making it accessible and free for the average user.
With these tools, Google not only enhances the user experience but also firmly positions itself as a leader in AI-driven photo editing technology.
Whether you're a casual photographer or a social media enthusiast, these new features in Google Photos promise to significantly improve your photo editing game.
