Latest news with #Veo2
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Google DeepMind's new AI model Genie 3 can create 3D interactive worlds in real time
Google DeepMind has unveiled a new AI model called Genie 3, that can generate 3D worlds while being interactive. Users just need to enter a text prompt describing the environment that the model will then simulate in real time at 24 frames per second, maintaining consistency at 720p for a few minutes. Last year, the team had released their first 'world models,' Genie 1 and Genie 3. Additionally, advanced AI video generation models like Veo 2 and Veo 3 also demonstrate an understanding of the physical world. A blog posted with the release said that world models, which are able to understand environments and then re-create them help agents to predict which the environment changes and how their actions can affect it. 'World models are also a key stepping stone on the path to AGI, since they make it possible to train AI agents in an unlimited curriculum of rich simulation environments,' it noted. The team has said that compared to Genie 2's interactive window which lasted between 10 to 20 seconds, Genie 3 offers a 'few minutes' of interaction. The AI model is also able to be more consistent with visuals so if a user moves away from a location and returns to it later, the spot looks the same. However, Genie 3 isn't available for public preview yet and will be rolled out to a select group of creators for testing.
Forbes
7 days ago
- Forbes
Could Genie 3 From Google DeepMind Resurrect VR For Education?
Virtual Reality has long promised to enhance education. It offered visions of students exploring Ancient Rome in 3D, dissecting virtual frogs without the mess, or walking through the human bloodstream at a microscopic scale. Yet those visions rarely made it into everyday classrooms. Why? Creating accurate and robust VR learning experiences just isn't realistic for the average educator. Teachers already juggle lesson planning, grading and classroom management. Expecting them to master 3D modeling software, animation pipelines and game engine scripting was never realistic. Even companies that specialize in educational VR often struggle with the cost and complexity of developing interactive content that is both engaging and accurate. Could all of that be about to change? Google DeepMind just announced Genie 3, and it's quite frankly astonishing. What is Genie 3? Genie 3 generates interactive 3D environments in real time, from simple text prompts. Type "a rainforest ecosystem" or "the surface of Mars in 2050" and Genie responds by building immersive, explorable worlds in seconds. These aren't pre-rendered videos. They're dynamic, reactive spaces that users can navigate and interact with at 24 frames per second. This capability isn't entirely new. Previous iterations, like Genie 1 and Genie 2, and other video-generation models such as Veo 2, began to explore what was possible. But they lacked the real-time interactivity and environmental consistency needed for serious educational use. Genie 3 seems to bridge that gap. It allows learners to explore a world, revisit locations, and witness events unfold with continuity. For educators, this could be the tipping point. Building a virtual field trip used to require teams of developers, designers and researchers. Genie 3 collapses that workflow into a few lines of text. A teacher preparing a lesson on climate zones might input: "A desert landscape transitions into a temperate forest, then a polar ice cap." Genie 3 renders it on the spot, complete with weather patterns and animal behavior. This ease of creation addresses the most critical bottleneck: time. Genie 3 may make certain types of immersive teaching possible for the first time. A history teacher could summon ancient Babylon and guide students through its streets. A physics teacher could create zero-gravity environments to demonstrate Newton's laws. Genie 3 also allows "promptable world events." This means educators can inject interactivity into the scene. Want to demonstrate the impact of deforestation? Trigger a scenario where logging machines clear a portion of the forest. Students can observe changes in weather, animal migration, and biodiversity. These are not scripted animations. They are emergent responses, built on the fly based on user inputs. This level of control and flexibility could move Genie 3 beyond novelty. Could it become a tool for critical thinking and exploration? Students not just observing, but experimenting. Genie 3 Limitations Despite the excitement, limitations remain. Genie 3 can't yet model real-world locations with geographic precision. It doesn't simulate complex interactions between multiple agents, meaning multiplayer educational scenarios are still out of reach. And while the system supports a few minutes of consistent interaction, it isn't designed for extended sessions. But these are technical constraints, not conceptual ones. The trajectory is clear. This raises new questions. What happens when content creation becomes so easy that anyone can build a virtual experience? Who ensures accuracy? Who reviews for bias? In classrooms, these questions matter deeply. A world model that misrepresents historical events or scientific principles could mislead students at scale. DeepMind acknowledges this. Genie 3 is being released gradually, with oversight from its Responsible Development & Innovation Team. Only selected researchers and creators have access for now. That approach slows widespread adoption but gives space to refine safeguards. Even in this early phase, it's clear that Genie 3 could redefine what is possible in educational content creation. We could be entering a time when educators no longer have to choose between depth and interactivity. No longer spend months developing a single VR lesson. If Genie 3 delivers on its promise, or indeed Genie 4 or 5, immersive learning will move from the margins to the mainstream. The real power of Genie 3 isn't in its graphics or speed. It lies in who gets to use it. When a teacher or a student with no technical background can build a realistic simulation in seconds, the conversation around educational VR changes. From "why don't more schools use this?" to "how will we use this next?" VR in education hasn't failed. It's been waiting. Waiting for a tool that matches the ambitions of the classroom. Genie 3 might just be that tool.
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Google rolls out genius tools users will love
The average American takes about 20 photos per day. Why do we do it? Taking photos is not only a fun way to try to "freeze" your memories, but also a way to share your experiences with others more vividly. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Smartphones have made taking photos simple, fun, and convenient. No more big cameras, lenses, or darkrooms. Let's be honest: There are much fewer printed photos in the end. While fewer printed photos are ultimately produced, many more are taken each day. According to PhoTutorial, estimates suggest that this year, around 2.1 trillion photos will be taken, compared to 1.9 trillion in 2024. Each second there are about 61,400 photos taken worldwide. As expected, smartphones account for 94% of all photos taken last year. Would taking photos remain as popular if it weren't for constant upgrades, better smartphone cameras, more social networks to share them on, and new AI tools to upgrade the photos? It's hard to imagine. All these features and technologies are intertwined and support each other's popularity. The AI boom doesn't seem to be subsiding at all; in fact, it seems to be just warming up. According to a KPMG global study, around two-thirds of the planet's population uses AI daily. About 83% believe using AI offers a myriad of benefits. All tech firms these days are trying to answer the demand and are launching their own AI tools. Earlier this year, Google (GOOGL) launched a wild new app that works offline. More recently, it has rolled out a special AI feature for creative users. Image source: East Bay Times via Getty Images On July 23, Google rolled out a photo-to-video feature powered by Veo 2 in Google Photos. This new creative tool will enable you to breathe a new life into your favorite memories. This feature allows you to make videos from still photos, transform pictures into illustrations and more. It is already available in the U.S., both on Android-powered phones and iPhones. Related: TikTok faces a new threat to its existence How to convert an image to a video? It is quite straightforward. You select a picture from your photo gallery and pick one of the two options: Subtle movements; I'm feeling lucky. These prompts allow you to animate your photos and transform static images into lively short videos. After the success with video generation tools in Gemini, Google decided to make these features more widely available. Google is also launching another fun feature called "Remix." With this tool, you can discover how you, your friends and family would look in comics, sketches, anime, and 3D animations. Remix will be available in the U.S. on Android and iOS in a few weeks. More Tech Stocks: Analyst who correctly predicted Rocket Lab stock surge resets forecastVerizon Q2 earnings report surprises with remarks on tax reformFund manager who forecast Nvidia stock rally reboots outlook To make these features simple and convenient to use, Google is also launching a new Create tab in the Photos app. This tab lets you choose from Photo to video, Remix, collages, highlight videos, and more. The Create tab will be available in the U.S. next month. Google Photos is not the only upgraded app with photo-to-video features. The YouTube app now allows users to transform images into video clips to create YouTube Shorts. This allows you to convert old photos to video quickly. You can also choose to add movement to landscapes, animate everyday pictures, or play with new effects. The Shorts camera has the Effect icon, from which you can tap on AI to choose from all the offered generative effects. For example, suppose you want to make an adventure-inspired wild video. In that case, you can select your favorite good-looking selfie and transform it into a video of yourself swimming underwater while looking amazing. Related: Epic Games' Fortnite sued over game's 'addictive potential' Google plans to further upgrade all these features and effects with more creative options to come soon. The feature is free and will roll out next week across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Later this year, the tool will be available in other regions. Just like with Google Photos, the photo-to-video tool for YouTube Shorts is powered by Veo 2, but Veo 3 should come this summer. Google stressed the importance of making sure AI tools are safely used, which is why it has added transparency. This means all videos and photos created with photo-to-video or Remix will contain invisible SynthID digital watermarks, like images edited with Reimagine in Photos. Similar to videos made in Gemini, videos created in Photos will also have a viral watermark. Google has also created a team of hackers that simulate a variety of adversaries called Red Team (just like in the military) to assess potential problems and monitor activities to prevent abuse. Since these features are new and experimental, Google is asking for users' feedback to make additional improvements. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
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Business Standard
24-07-2025
- Business Standard
Tech Wrap July 24: iQOO Z10R, Qi2 25W standard, Google Photos AI features
iQOO Z10R launched. Qi2 25W charging standard. Google Photos AI feature. VSCO Capture app. YouTube Shorts Veo2 features. itel Super Guru 4G Max launched. AppleCare One plan announced. BS Tech New Delhi Chinese brand iQOO has added to its Z10 lineup in India by launching the iQOO Z10R. With this addition, the Z10 series now includes the iQOO Z10, Z10x, Z10 Lite, and Z10R. The latest model features a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage. It also offers a 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has introduced Qi version 2.2.1, known as Qi2 25W, a next-gen wireless charging standard that supports speeds up to 25W. This is a step up from the earlier 15W cap of Qi2, bringing it closer to the performance of Apple's MagSafe system. Google is updating its Photos app with generative AI features that allow users to transform static images into video clips and stylised artwork. These updates are powered by Google's Veo 2 model, which also drives similar features in the Gemini app. VSCO has released an iPhone camera app named Capture, which brings its popular filters into the image-taking process. Unlike conventional apps that apply filters after capturing, Capture lets users preview and apply them in real time before clicking a photo or video. The app is available free on the App Store. Google is expanding image-to-video functionality to YouTube Shorts, enabling users to turn photos into video content. The new update also introduces a set of immersive AI effects and a creative space called AI Playground. According to YouTube, these tools are powered by Google's Veo 2 model. itel has launched the Super Guru 4G Max, a feature phone equipped with an AI assistant. Marketed as India's first AI-enabled feature phone, it supports voice commands for tasks such as reading messages and making calls. Apple has rolled out AppleCare One, a subscription plan costing $19.99/month that covers up to three Apple devices under a single policy. Unlike AppleCare+, which requires separate subscriptions, AppleCare One simplifies device protection. It is currently US-only, but may expand internationally. WhatsApp is testing a feature in its Android beta (v2.25.21.14) that enables users to schedule reminders for individual messages. As per WABetaInfo, this builds on an earlier feature that highlighted unread messages from frequently contacted users. The new update allows users to manually tag important messages and set alerts for them. According to Android Authority, Google may have unintentionally revealed the Pixel 10 series via a banner on the Play Store. The banner, which was later removed, displayed the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold models. Meta is rolling out new safety updates for teenagers and adult-managed child accounts on platforms like Instagram. These include enhanced context in direct messages for teen users, with some protections now extending to child accounts managed by adults. Google is expanding Gemini AI's reach to more smartwatches running Wear OS 4, says 9To5Google. Devices from brands like Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi will soon support Gemini, replacing Google Assistant and bringing enhanced AI capabilities. Apple and Google operate their own cloud ecosystems for storing photos and videos – iCloud Photos for Apple devices and Google Photos for Android users. While both platforms offer automatic backup and smart organisation features, the data stored on these cloud platforms cannot be synced directly. This creates a gap for users looking to switch platforms or consolidate their media into one service. Google's push into AI-powered search is reshaping the internet—and not in the way publishers or web creators might have hoped. A new study by the Pew Research Centre, which examined the online behaviour of 900 US adults, reveals that Google's AI Overviews, the automatically generated summaries now appearing in many search results, are drastically reducing the number of users who click through to traditional websites. India's edge data centre capacity is expected to expand significantly to 200-210 Megawatt (MW) by 2027, up from 60-70 MW in 2024, marking a 3x increase, driven by the proliferation of emerging technologies, said rating agency Icra.
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Google Photos Rolls Out Free AI Tools to Animate and Stylise Old Pictures
In a move that blends nostalgia with innovation, Google Photos has introduced a suite of free AI-powered tools designed to help users breathe new life into their favourite images. The update, announced on July 24, 2025, is part of Google's continued effort to bring artificial intelligence to the fingertips of everyday users, enriching how they interact with their digital memories. Now available in the United States on both Android and iOS devices, the latest features transform static photos into engaging short videos and stylised artworks. With over 1.5 billion users worldwide, Google Photos aims to democratize creative tools by making AI-enhanced features both accessible and intuitive. At the heart of the new capabilities is the photo-to-video function, powered by Google's advanced Veo 2 model. This tool allows users to select any photo and convert it into a dynamic six-second video. Depending on the mood or creative direction desired, users can choose prompts like 'Subtle movements' or 'I'm feeling lucky' to generate a unique visual effect. Similar features have been seen in YouTube and Gemini, but this integration brings that functionality directly into the photo gallery app, making it easier than ever to enhance personal content. Joining this feature is the Remix tool, which leverages the Imagen AI model to instantly stylise any photo. Whether users want to reimagine a moment in anime or give it a surreal 3D makeover, the tool makes it possible within seconds. These stylised outputs will be clearly marked with SynthID digital watermarks to ensure transparency about their AI-generated origins. Google is taking a user-first approach by labeling these features experimental and inviting community feedback. Users can provide input through a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down mechanism, which Google says will help fine-tune the tools over time. The new features are part of a revamped "Create" tab within the Google Photos app, which consolidates all creative tools, both AI-powered and traditional, in one easy-to-navigate section. Alongside existing capabilities like collages and highlight videos, the addition of AI effects signals a broader push to turn the app into a playground for visual storytelling. Importantly, Google's expansion of AI within Photos reflects a larger trend across the company's product ecosystem. These updates were announced alongside similar enhancements to YouTube Shorts, which now also offers photo-to-video and AI-driven visual effects. By putting advanced generative models like Veo 2 and Imagen directly in the hands of users, Google continues its mission to enhance digital creativity while learning from real-world usage. As the company refines these tools through user feedback, it hopes to make the experience even more immersive and personalized. Whether you're looking to revisit cherished memories or explore artistic reinterpretations of your everyday snapshots, these new AI features offer a compelling reason to dive back into your photo library.
