Latest news with #GoogleUltra
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I cancelled Google Ultra and switched to Canva — here's why it's the better AI video tool for creators
After testing Google's $250/month AI Ultra plan, I made the switch to Canva's new Veo 3-powered video tool and I don't regret it for a second. If you're a casual user or creator who values speed, simplicity and an all-in-one workflow, Canva wins by a mile.I'm not a content creator, but I do test video generators regularly. I was eager to test Google AI Ultra last month when it was still in early access. At $249.99/month the subscription promises a lot, including access to Veo 3, Google's most advanced AI video tool. But after trying it, I found the reality didn't quite live up to the hype. One of the first problems I noticed with Veo 3 in Google Ultra is that the default is Veo 2. Many times I entered a prompt, eager to see my video, only to realize that the setting was wrong. Users have to manually shift to Veo 3, which means you can use up tokens if you're not careful. Speaking of credit anxiety, despite getting 12,500 monthly credits, rendering a single 30-second sci-fi scene could burn through 1,000 or more. Also, as a casual user, I really don't need all the features. So while Project Mariner's 10-task automations and 30TB cloud storage are impressive, they aren't needed for short-form content, particuarly for social. Canva quietly rolled out Create a Video Clip, powered by the same Veo 3 model. It's super easy to use. Just go to Canva AI in the sidebar and start creating. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Canva AI → Create a Video Clip → Type prompt → Generate. Example: 'A girl exploring a neon-lit cyberpunk market, synthwave music.' Seconds later, I got an 8-second clip with synchronized audio, directly in-browser that I can download and share anywhere. Pro Tip: Canva Pro's 5 free video clips reset monthly. Batch generate on the 28th and you'll always stay ahead of the curve. Veo 3 handles complex camera movements, lighting and ambient sound effects. That's right, you can get sounds in your video now with Veo 3. Canva outputs clean, 1080p video, rivaling what I got from Google Ultra, but without the wait or credits. Each clip loads instantly in Canva's editor. I can then add text, transitions, logos, or drop it into a Reel. No exporting. No third-party apps. Just done. Canva's 5 monthly clips are enough for light use. Google's credits vanish fast with complex scenes so if you're considering making the switch, you'll want to determine how many videos you'll be creating each month. Canva handles the full process in one tab. Google Ultra shines for film producers and serious video editors. But for creators making short-form content, it's overbuilt and overpriced. Veo 3 can also be a time sink. Canva videos generate in 2 minutes or less. My recommendation is to cancel Google Ultra if you make short-form content (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts) and want simplicity over cinematic control. If you already use Canva for design and have a Canva Pro subscription ($12.99/month) than it's built in so you can avoid an extra subscription cost. However, you'll want to keep Google Ultra if you're editing short films or plan on using the subscription for higher level productions and need massive cloud storage. You may even be able to justify the $250/month as a business expense For most creators, Canva's Veo 3 integration is the AI video upgrade we've been waiting for: powerful, easy to use and built into a platform we're already using. Everyone is trying to save money these days and for most creators, Canva's Veo 3 integration is a smart way to save hundreds each month. If you're making short-form content like TikToks, Reels, or YouTube Shorts, Google Ultra is likely overkill, both in complexity and cost. But if you're a filmmaker or working on high-end video projects that demand precision, scale and storage, Google Ultra might still be worth it. For me, I'm sticking with Canva and skipping the extra subscription.
Tom's Guide
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
These simple prompt tweaks made my AI videos look way better — try them yourself
As chatbots continue to get smarter and gain the ability to do more, AI video generators are evolving just as fast. And while many are still in beta or invite-only, one thing is clear: prompt quality makes a huge testing several platforms (including Google Veo 3, the premium video generator currently available for $249/month through Google Ultra) I've learned that the way you write your prompts completely changes the results. Here's how I leveled up my AI videos — and the tricks you can use to make your own clips look sharper, more cinematic and more keep things fair, all prompts were tested using Veo 2 — Google's lower-tier video generator that doesn't include audio. To try it yourself, you'll need to join the waitlist for Google Labs' VideoFX tool, where Veo 2 is currently available. You can also access Veo 3 through Google AI Studio or Canva Pro. These prompts can be used on any of the best AI video generators including Midjourney, Firefly and Sora. A common mistake many users make is starting with adjectives like, 'a stunning cinematic video of a beach at sunset.' Sounds nice, but vague. Instead, I always find better success when I lead with structure: 'wide establishing shot of a beach at golden hour, camera slowly panning left.' The more you write like a director, the more polished your results will look. Veo seems to respond well to cinematic language. Prompts like 'low angle tracking shot of a child running through tall grass' or 'drone shot pulling away from a mountain cabin at sunrise' generated far more dynamic visuals than basic descriptions. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. If you're not familiar with filmmaking terms, think in shots: wide, medium, close-up, overhead. While I am not a camera operator, I have written enough screenplays and been on enough television and movie sets to have these memorized. Here are a few basic filmmaking terms that I frequently use in my prompts. Instead of asking for a whole story in one sentence, break your prompt into visual beats. For example: Beat 1: Wide shot of a skateboarder riding downhill at sunset Beat 2: Slow motion close-up of wheels hitting the pavement Beat 3: Camera follows from behind as sparks fly from the board Even if your preferred AI video generator doesn't yet support full scene transitions, this approach helps guide the system toward more intentional storytelling. Movement is key. I started adding phrases like 'camera tilts up,' 'fog rolling in,' or 'wind rustling trees.' These made a surprising difference in realism and cinematic feel. So did mood cues like 'soft lighting,' 'overcast skies,' or 'neon glow.' AI video is still new, and results can be unpredictable. I ran each prompt multiple times to compare outputs, tweaking a word here and there. Veo's consistency is noticeably better than other tools I've tried. It doesn't always nail it, but when it does, the results can look like they came from a professional video shoot. The prompts below were used with Veo 3 so they also have sound. Landscape prompt: Wide establishing shot of a mountain range at golden hour, camera slowly panning left. Fog rolls between the peaks, soft ambient lighting, cinematic depth of field. Sports prompt: Slow-motion shot of a skateboarder jumping off a ramp at sunset. Camera follows from low angle as dust kicks up. Warm lighting, dynamic energy. Food reel prompt: Overhead shot of a steaming bowl of ramen being served in a Tokyo street market. Close-up of chopsticks lifting noodles, steam rising. Warm lighting, vibrant details. Action POV prompt: First-person POV of a cyclist riding down a forest trail. Leaves fly past, sun flickers through trees. GoPro-style realism, immersive movement. If your AI videos look generic or "like AI," your prompt may be to blame. With a few smart tweaks; focusing on structure, camera angles and specific action, you can get more polished, more cinematic results. Google Veo is one of the most capable tools I've tested, but like any AI, it's only as good as what you feed it. Want to try it yourself? Start small. Pick a scene, describe it like a shot list and watch what happens next. Let me know in the comments how everything came out!
