What’s happened? The Google Photos AI-enabled photo-to-video feature is getting an upgrade that’ll give you more control. This feature, which was launched back in July, uses the Google Veo 2 video-generator software to create a six-second video of a picture.

• This feature update was spotted during an APK teardown by Android Authority, who claim it will give users control over the animation feature using a prompt box.

Why is this important? When the Google Photos photo-to-video tool was introduced, it provided users with two editing options. The first, which Google calls “Subtle movements,” adds subtle movements to still pictures. The second, “I’m feeling lucky,” takes things further by generating random-style videos from the still picture.

• Currently, selecting either option means you’re completely at the mercy of Gemini AI, with no control over what movements it produces.
• If Google does add a third option in the form of a prompt box, it will allow users to write a prompt on how they want the generated video to look.

Why should I care? There are a number of AI features baked into the Google Photos app, and they are periodically improved and updated, to help with image editing, slide curation, and more.

• If this new feature does get launched, you’ll be able to guide Gemini on exactly how you want the short video clip to look.
• This should result in videos which you’ll find more useful (or entertaining).

Okay, what’s next? While this update is not yet available, the APK teardown suggests there’s a very good chance it will make it to a public release.

• There’s no official information on when this feature will make its debut in the Google Photos app.
• However, this feature might only be available on select devices once the update rolls out.
• For now, Google’s Photo-to-Video feature is only available to users in the US.