Google is expanding access to its AI photo editing tools in Google Photos, including Magic Editor, previously exclusive to Pixel owners and Google One subscribers. Now, any user with a compatible Android or iOS device can use these features, with free users limited to 10 monthly saves, while Pixel owners and paying subscribers enjoy unlimited use.

Google has made a handful of editing features previously exclusive to Pixel devices and paid subscribers free to all Google Photos users. The features include the AI-powered Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Portrait Light. They will only work on devices running Android 8.0 or iOS 15 or higher and on Chromebook Plus devices with at least 3GB RAM and ChromeOS version 118+. The tools will start rolling out on May 15 - it may take weeks for them to make it to all users.

Google Photos is set to receive a significant update that will enhance its sharing and notification features. The overhaul will include a new social-focused “Sharing Activity” page, similar to Instagram and Facebook, for more accessible interactions with likes and comments on photos. A revamped storage meter will visually display how much storage can be reclaimed, streamlining the deletion process. These updates indicate Google's intention to integrate more social elements into Google Photos, transforming it from a simple photo backup app to a more interactive platform.

Retro, a popular photo-sharing app, found itself mirrored by Google Photos' new 'My Week' feature, sparking concerns of feature plagiarism. Google Photos plans to introduce 'My Week' in a format similar to Retro's week-by-week photo journal with added community-sharing elements. Despite the similarities, Retro's CEO remains optimistic, emphasizing Retro's commitment to privacy and a user-focused experience without advertisements or AI data training.

Google Photos is reorganizing its "Library" into a "Collections" page, featuring a new layout with thumbnail shortcuts for faces, locations, and content types. This update, possibly in preparation for integrating Google's Gemini AI-powered "Ask Photos" function, replaces the search bar with shortcuts like favorites, selfies, and screenshots. There are reports of inconsistencies with the Gemini AI software.

Google Photos' new AI-powered search feature, "Ask Photos," is rolling out to select users in the U.S., allowing them to search their photos using more complex natural language queries.

Google Photos is introducing a redesigned video editor for its mobile app, available on both Android and iOS platforms. This update aims to enhance user experience by providing more control over video editing, particularly in terms of speed adjustments and trimming capabilities. The new features include a "Speed" tool that allows users to create slow-motion or sped-up videos, an "Auto enhance" button for improving color and stability, and an updated trimming tool for making precise cuts. The layout of the editing tools has also been rearranged to facilitate easier access to commonly used features such as mute, enhance, stabilize, and export frame. In addition to these tools, Google is incorporating AI-powered presets that enable users to make specific adjustments with a single tap. These presets can automatically trim videos, control speed, and adjust lighting, as well as apply effects like slow motion, zoom, and dynamic motion tracking to specific subjects within the video. The AI features are organized in a separate "presets" tab beneath the video timeline, distinct from the standard editing tools, making quick edits more accessible without the need for manual adjustments. The rollout of these updates has begun, although it may take some time for all users to receive the new features on their devices. This enhancement reflects Google's commitment to improving its photo and video editing capabilities, making it easier for users to create polished content directly from their mobile devices.