Magic Editor is a new feature in Google Photos that uses generative AI to make major edits to your photos. We’re talking about Photoshop-level edits. It could be a significant advancement in photo editing technology. Google showed off the feature and how it works on stage at Google I/O 2023. Although it’s not available yet, here’s what exactly Magic Editor can do and when you can try it out for yourself.
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What is Google Photos Magic Editor and how does it work?
Magic Editor is a new experimental feature in Google Photos that uses generative AI technology to help you make more complex edits to photos.
With Magic Editor, you can remove unwanted people or objects, change background or foreground separately, change colors, and reposition subjects. It can recognize and differentiate between objects in a photo and allow you to manipulate specific parts of the image – even fill in gaps and generate new pixels for you – resulting in an edited photo that looks completely natural, and that required no professional tools.
What are some examples of Magic Editor in action?
Google has shared some Magic Editor samples to demonstrate the power of the tool. In one example, a photo of a person standing in front of a waterfall was edited using Magic Editor. The person was moved to the side of the photo and made more prominent in the foreground, while a backpack strap across his chest was removed and filled in to resemble his coat, and the sky was transformed into a prettier color.
In another example, Magic Editor was used to move a child sitting on a bench closer to the center of the photo. The tool generated new parts of the bench and balloons on the left to fill in the space. The sky has been improved again to make it more dynamic.
The results are impressive. Although some creases from the removed bag strap are visible in the first example, the balloons and bench generated in the second example may make your jaw drop. Watch the I/O video above to see for yourself. It should start at the Magic Editor demo.
When will Magic Editor be available in Google Photos?
Google said Magic Editor will be available “later this year”, with an early access version on select Pixel phones. It’s unclear if it will be exclusive to the rumored Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. It will probably live in the Google Photos mobile app, where you go to edit photos with Magic Editor.
Want to know more?
Google announced several other new products and features during I/O 2023, including a foldable phone. Check out our guide for a recap:
