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Forbes
a minute ago
- Forbes
Google Photos Introduces New AI Tools: Fun, Free, And Very Limited
Google is adding new generative AI tools to Google Photos, shifting the app away from its original ... More purpose. Key Takeaways Google Photos could be at the start of a radical transformation. In a major update rolling out now, Google is introducing what could be the most significant Google Photos AI upgrade yet, allowing you to turn static images into animated video clips and stylized art with just a few taps. The tools are free and fun, but are deliberately and severely limited -- and in many ways, that's a good thing. Google's Remix feature turns still images into fun videos with AI. The Big Update: Photo To Video — Fun But Deliberately Nerfed As I previously reported, Google Photos is introducing a game-changing new feature that transforms still photos into short video clips with a single tap. It's a powerful, but significantly cut-down version of the photo-to-video features already available to paying Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in Gemini. You can select any picture in your Google Photos library, choose between the vague 'Subtle movement' or slot-machine-like 'I'm feeling lucky' options, and wait for about a minute for the video animation to generate. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Google's demos show once static people now celebrating by throwing handfuls of confetti in the air before it tumbles back down from above. These were both generated in 'I'm feeling lucky,' mode. I presume additional video effects will be available at launch and more added in the future. If you don't like the results, you can hit the Regenerate button to try again, but that's about it for user control. You can also tap on thumbs-up or thumbs-down icons to send feedback to Google. It would be great to see a few more preset options available, beyond just subtle movements or a random effect. Even adding just a few more emotions would make these clips useful as fun reactions for messaging apps, etc, in place of emojis or pre-made GIFs. The process takes up to a minute to complete, and you The focus here is clearly on fun rather than unbridled creativity. Where Gemini utilizes Google's powerful Veo3 video AI model to create animations of anything you want, Google Photos employs the older Veo 2 model, offering very little user control over what happens in the animation, except for repeatedly hitting the 'Regenerate' button. Furthermore, Veo 2 cannot generate audio, one of the standout features of Veo 3. Remix Your Photos — Too Little, Too Late? First discovered in May of this year, the new 'Remix' feature allows you to select a photo and transform it into a range of artistic styles, including cartoons, pencil sketches, and paintings. Google Photos Remix feature lets you transform photos into a range of artistic styles. As with the Photo to Video feature above, you can hit Regenerate to re-try any pictures you don't like and tap one of the thumb icons to provide feedback. Remix is clearly aimed at having fun and sharing moments in new ways, and there's nothing wrong with that. The results are Google's answer to the viral 'Ghliblified' images and action figure pictures you've probably seen taking over social media. However, unlike powerful tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney where you can simply type in any style imaginable, Remix forces you to pick from a small menu of pre-selected styles. The approach helps keep generated output safe for consumption, but also prevents any real creativity. Google will need to update the library of styles frequently or the novelty will wear off quickly. A New Direction For Google Photos — The Create Tab To make Google Photos' new generative tools easier to find, Google is introducing a new 'Create' tab, accessible by clicking an icon at the bottom of the app on both Android and iOS. Here, you'll be able to find all of Google Photos' creative tools gathered in one place, effectively separating the newer creative side of Google Photos from its original library functions. Google Photos introduces a new "Create" tab to house all of its new generative AI tools. This marks the beginning of a significant shift in purpose for Google Photos, as Google notes, it's now 'more than an archive, it's a canvas.' Personally, that's not what I want from Google Photos; I use it as a place to store and revisit memories rather than as a tool to create new content. The app's existing Animated slide shows and collages use AI to enhance memories, but these new tools alter them into something entirely new, creating video clips of events that never really happened. Google Photos Now Creates, But Is It Safe? Google appears to be exercising considerable caution with these new features, not least by severely limiting the scope of what can be created with these new Google Photos tools. However, the company acknowledges that the results may be 'inaccurate or unexpected' and displays a warning before use, along with a link to its GenAI prohibited use policy. Furthermore, all images and videos generated by Google Photos using AI contain invisible SynthID watermarks that reveal their synthetic origins. The Big Issue: US-Only Rollout Alienates Global Users Photo to Video and Remix are now rolling out on Android and iOS, but are currently only available in the US. The Create tab will then roll out in August, but once again, only in the US. This will be disappointing for international users, who may have to wait a considerable amount of time to access the new features. Remember, Google Photos users outside the US are still waiting for access to the AI-powered 'Ask Photos' feature nine months after launch. Google Photos has a massive worldwide user base, with billions of photos and videos uploaded each week, and runs the risk of frustrating a colossal number of customers if non-US customers remain excluded from its best features. Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.
Forbes
a minute ago
- Forbes
From Mop To Musical: Lorin Latarro Finds The Heart In ‘Joy'
Betsy Wolfe plays the title role in the new musical Joy Lorin Latarro was on her way to the first rehearsal for the musical Joy when her seven-year-old daughter came down with a fever. Between arranging babysitters and calling the doctor, she was also preparing to direct the show and bring a musical to life. For Latarro, that kind of whirlwind morning felt uncannily like the opening scene of the show—Joy Mangano trying to get her family out the door before heading off to make her dreams take flight. 'All the mothers in our rehearsal room would laugh at how familiar the choreographed chaos is,' says Latarro. 'It's a chaotic but also deeply satisfying.' Lorin Latarro That mix of chaos and purpose drew Latarro to Joy, A True New Musical. The story centers on the real-life inventor and entrepreneur whose unstoppable tenacity transformed her life—and the lives of those around her. After reading Mangano's book and speaking with her on the phone, Latarro was deeply moved by the story of the single mother and inventor who turned a mop into a multimillion-dollar empire. Directing the show now playing at the Laura Pels Theater wasn't just about telling the story of a woman who created a self-wringing mop. It was about showing the strength it takes to build something from nothing—especially when no one believes in you at first. Latarro, who began her career as a Broadway dancer in 14 shows and ultimately became a director/choreographer, was drawn to the honesty of the story. She found inspiration from the complicated family dynamics, the financial pressures, the vulnerability and resilience it takes to keep going. Betsy Wolfe in the title role leads the talented cast which includes Jill Abramovitz, Honor Blue Savage, Adam Grupper, Brandon Espinoza, Paul Whitty, Charl Brown, Jaygee Macapugay, and Gabriela Carrillo. Joy is a story about believing in yourself, even when the odds say otherwise. Also, Latarro hopes that audiences see Joy and feel empowered to take charge of their lives. 'My hope is audiences walk out of the theater and finally listen to their inner voice and begin a new project, idea, or business,' she says. 'Or they push forward through whatever obstacles are currently in their way toward their goal, whether that goal is personal or business related.' Jeryl Brunner: Can you share more about how you got inspired to direct Joy? Lorin Latarro: I met with Ken Davenport, who is a prolific producer and one of the writers of Joy, along with AnnMarie Milazzo. I also read Joy's book, then spoke to Joy on the phone and fell head over heels in love with her determination, grit, kindness, and exuberance. Brunner: Joy is about much more than inventing a mop. It explores family, ambition, and perseverance. How did you build that journey onstage?Latarro: Joy's onstage family is imperfect, as is every family, in their own way. Joy manages to love them and keep them together, even through the messiness of their mistakes and shortcomings. Through Joy's determination, she shifts a generationally learned behavior for her daughter, which is not an easy thing to What was one of the messiest or most magical rehearsal moments you will never forget?Latarro: We all wanted to pour liquid onstage so the audience could see the mops actually work. It's notoriously difficult onstage to deal with watery substances because actors can slip, and it's messy to clean up. We tried many different substances for the various things that we spill onstage, including orange slushies, motor oil, and chocolate syrup. We ended up with an oobleck-type substance. After much messy trial and error, we were all happy we found a solution! Brunner: You are a choreographer and a director. How does each skill fulfill you?Latarro: Choreographing is more surgical. When choreographing, you live inside bars of music, and no matter the libretto, you can structure a song and dance number well. Each song is almost its own little musical with its own beginning, middle, and end. Alternatively, directing is like shooting an arrow through Jell-O. You can be fully prepared and have all these ideas walking in the room, but it all changes based on writers, actors, and collaborators, and 'what works' as you read down a scene. Directing feels more irised out than choreography, and a more holistic experience of the show and its dramaturgical needs. Directing is deeply satisfying in a new way. Communication is key so everyone is stylistically creating the same show. Brunner: How did you know that Betsy Wolfe was your Joy?Latarro: Betsy and I had the pleasure of working together on Waitress. I am a big fan. She's incredibly smart and has genius comic timing. Betsy is also a great leader in the room who works hard and always has a smile on her face. She loves the work. Her vocal chops are truly astonishing too! Brunner: You have directed revivals, brand-new musicals, and now a show based on a living inventor. What tells you a project is worth the time and energy?Latarro: If I am moved by a story, I want to work on it. I don't want to get pigeonholed doing the same thing over and over. It was one of the reasons I wanted to collaborate with choreographer Josh Bergasse on Joy. I wanted to focus completely on directing and feel the collaborative experience from another point of view. Also, I like all kinds of styles of musical theater. Sometimes I spend time inside dark shows like Tommy or Assassins, sometimes comedies like Heart of Rock and Roll, and sometimes I love finding new ways into revivals like Into the Woods. At the end of the day, I believe great theater makes people feel big feelings. I look for shows that have a lot of heart and soul. Theatre can change minds and open hearts. Brunner: When you begin dreaming up a scene, what is your starting point?Latarro: I always start by reading the script and lyrics without listening to the songs. I don't want to be seduced by the music before I experience the story. Then once I understand the story, I go back and reread the script with the interpolated song demos. Then I listen to the music over and over again. Brunner: What kind of creative environment do you try to cultivate?Latarro: I love the art of collaboration. It excites me endlessly. I like being in a room with people who also love the work. I am into the 'yes and' mentality. Someone has an idea, and we work on it until it grows and grows. I work hard because if I'm going to be away from my family, then I'm going to make it count. From left: Jill Abramovitz, Honor Blue Savage, Brandon Espinoza, Jaygee Macapugay, Brandon Espinoza, ... More and Adam Grupper
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US, China to launch new talks on tariff truce extension, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting
By David Lawder STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials will resume talks in Stockholm on Monday to try to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the centre of a trade war between the world's top two economies, aiming to extend a truce by three months and keeping sharply higher tariffs at bay. China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's administration, after Beijing and Washington reached preliminary deals in May and June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from U.S. duties snapping back to triple-digit levels that would amount to a bilateral trade embargo. The Stockholm talks come hot on the heels of Trump's biggest trade deal yet with the European Union on Sunday for a 15% tariff on most EU goods exports to the U.S., including autos. The bloc will also buy $750 billion worth of American energy and make $600 billion worth of U.S. investments in coming years. No similar breakthrough is expected in the U.S.-China talks but trade analysts said that another 90-day extension of a tariff and export control truce struck in mid-May was likely. An extension of that length would prevent further escalation and facilitate planning for a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in late October or early November. A U.S. Treasury spokesperson declined comment on a South China Morning Post report quoting unnamed sources as saying the two sides would refrain from introducing new tariffs or other steps that could escalate the trade war for another 90 days. Trump's administration is poised to impose new sectoral tariffs that will impact China within weeks, including on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, ship-to-shore cranes and other products. "We're very close to a deal with China. We really sort of made a deal with China, but we'll see how that goes," Trump told reporters on Sunday before European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck their tariff deal. DEEPER ISSUES Previous U.S.-China trade talks in Geneva and London in May and June focused on bringing U.S. and Chinese retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels and restoring the flow of rare earth minerals halted by China and Nvidia's H20 AI chips and other goods halted by the United States. So far, the talks have not delved into broader economic issues. They include U.S. complaints that China's state-led, export-driven model is flooding world markets with cheap goods, and Beijing's complaints that U.S. national security export controls on tech goods seek to stunt Chinese growth. "Geneva and London were really just about trying to get the relationship back on track so that they could, at some point, actually negotiate about the issues which animate the disagreement between the countries in the first place," said Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "I'd be surprised if there is an early harvest on some of these things but an extension of the ceasefire for another 90 days seems to be the most likely outcome," Kennedy said. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has already flagged a deadline extension and has said he wants China to rebalance its economy away from exports to more domestic consumption -- a decades-long goal for U.S. policymakers. Analysts say the U.S.-China negotiations are far more complex than those with other Asian countries and will require more time. China's grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on U.S. industries. TRUMP-XI MEETING? In the background of the talks is speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Xi in late October. Trump has said he will decide soon on a landmark trip to China, and a new flare-up of tariffs and export controls would likely derail planning. Sun Chenghao, a fellow at Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy in Beijing, said that a Trump-Xi summit would be an opportunity for the U.S. to lower the 20% tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl. In exchange, he said the Chinese side could make good on its 2020 pledge to increase purchases of U.S. farm products and other goods. "The future prospect of the heads of state summit is very beneficial to the negotiations because everyone wants to reach an agreement or pave the way in advance," Sun said. Still, China will likely request a reduction of multi-layered U.S. tariffs totaling 55% on most goods and further easing of U.S. high-tech export controls, analysts said. Beijing has argued that such purchases would help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China, which reached $295.5 billion in 2024.
