Latest news with #Veo2
Techday NZ
a day ago
- Techday NZ
An in-depth look at the Google Veo 3 text-to-video AI model
In just a matter of weeks since its debut, Google's Veo 3 model is reshaping how text-to-video AI is perceived—by seamlessly combining high-definition video and realistic audio from a single prompt. Announced in May and now available through the Google AI Pro and Ultra Plans, Veo 3 has quickly garnered attention for what many in the industry consider the most significant leap in AI-generated video since the emergence of generative models. Escaping the lap Veo 3's core achievement is its ability to generate vivid, cinematic video clips with synchronized sound, including background audio, sound effects, and even spoken dialogue. This brings AI video out of the silent movie era, overcoming the limitations of previous models that produced either silent or low-resolution clips. Veo 3's understanding of prompts is sophisticated enough to animate not just the scene described, but to voice dialogue and sync character lips to what is being said—a feat that's long been a stumbling block for other AI models. Where earlier iterations like Veo 2 showed potential but often struggled with realism and control, Veo 3 takes things up a notch. The new model delivers HD output (with 720p clips in preview and 4K capability demonstrated internally) and shows a much stronger grasp of real-world physics. Water splashes and light falls in natural ways, human and animal motion appears more lifelike, and the result is a far cry from the uncanny animations of earlier tools. All of this can be achieved from a single text prompt—or even a multi-part story. Users describe what they want to see and hear, and Veo 3 delivers an eight-second video that combines visuals and audio. There's no need for post-production sound design or manual editing: the AI does it all at once. Unique features Several technical innovations distinguish Veo 3 in the crowded landscape of generative AI: Integrated audio-visual generation: Veo 3 is among the first models to generate realistic video and perfectly matched sound—including dialogue—in a single step. This drastically streamlines the workflow for anyone prototyping commercials, film scenes, or marketing assets. Cinematic detail: The model is responsive to detailed creative prompts, capturing fine nuances in colour, lighting, movement, and ambience. Describe a scene at dusk with a specific mood, and Veo 3 will recreate the atmosphere with surprising accuracy. Natural motion: Veo 3 leverages advanced physics simulation, making water, shadows, and even character movement look believably real. This realism is crucial for business, entertainment, and marketing users who need convincing content. Prompt fidelity: The AI demonstrates a deep understanding of user prompts, delivering results that accurately reflect the requested information, not just generic interpretations. Practical uses Since opening up access, Google has positioned Veo 3 as both a creative and an enterprise tool. It's available to businesses and developers via Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform, and it also powers Flow, a filmmaker-focused app for prototyping and iterating on video concepts. While Flow remains US-only for now, the Vertex AI public preview is expanding access for global customers looking to automate or enhance content creation. Creative professionals have rapidly integrated Veo 3 into their workflows. Design platforms have adopted it for on-demand video generation, while creative app makers are using it to streamline everything from ad production to social video. Some early business users report that the model has already slashed project times from weeks to mere hours. A major food brand, for example, cited Veo as instrumental in compressing what once took an entire creative team over two months into a single working day. Digital asset marketplaces and agencies are using Veo to supply rapid-turnaround explainer videos, advertising spots, and even early film concept scenes. The competition The launch of Veo 3 coincides with a period of rapid development in text-to-video AI, with rivals such as OpenAI's Sora, Runway, and Pika Labs all vying to push the boundaries. Veo 3's distinctive advantage is its native audio-video generation in a single model, whereas some competitors either lack synchronised sound or require separate tools for audio and video. In hands-on comparisons, Veo 3's strengths include more accurate prompt interpretation, higher video fidelity, and less "hallucinatory" content. Industry observers also note that Google's integrations with cloud safety tools, such as watermarking and robust content filters, make Veo 3 a safer option for brands and enterprises concerned about deepfakes or AI misuse. Access and limits You can access Veo 3 through Gemini with a Google AI Pro or Ultra Plan. Additionally, it's available through the developer-focused Vertex AI platform for Google Cloud customers. The clips are limited to eight seconds in length and 720p resolution at 24 frames per second, but the underlying research model can generate 4K footage. Flow, Google's filmmaker-oriented app, offers Veo 3's capabilities in a more guided, storyboard-like interface. Access to Flow is now available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with additional regions to follow. The broader significance The rapid adoption of Veo 3 highlights just how quickly generative AI is moving from novelty to an essential tool. Whether for marketing, entertainment, training, or rapid prototyping, Veo 3 is democratising video creation in the same way that previous models did for written content and illustration. It also empowers solo creators and small teams with new creative capabilities, not just major studios or ad agencies. Google emphasizes that Veo 3 and its sibling models (Imagen 4 for images and Lyria 2 for music) are designed to augment human creativity, not replace it. Built-in watermarking and filters reflect a commitment to responsible AI, and Google is collaborating with creative professionals to ensure these tools support, rather than undermine, authentic storytelling. The message for business and creative users: if you can imagine it, you can now see—and hear—it, in just minutes.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro launch underscores
Following strong uptake of its AI-powered innovations in South Africa, HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro. This is a launch that could further entrench the brand's momentum in the local mid-to-premium market. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the event brought together government and industry voices, including Communications Minister, The Honorable Mr. Solly Malatsi, underscoring the growing alignment between mobile innovation and digital policy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range, including: The first global rollout of Google Cloud's Veo 2 Image-to-Video tool , built directly into the phone's gallery , built directly into the phone's gallery AI Deepfake Detection and on-device call translation to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. and to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. HONOR's 50× AI SuperZoom , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor A 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, IP-rated build quality and MagicOS 9.0 across the range and a big storage of 12+512G. The HONOR 400 is powered by a Snapdragon, while the 400 Pro introduces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance. Both devices are supported by Android updates and security patches, a rare commitment in this segment. The HONOR 400 Series is launched with a promotional offer: Buyers will receive R8000 worth of additional value in the form of the HONOR Choice Watch 2i, HONOR Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an HONOR Choice Powerbank 10000mAh until 31 July 2025. Available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, the HONOR 400 is priced from 12,999 and the HONOR 400 Pro from R17,999. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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!
The Star
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro Launch Underscores Impressive AI Investment, Local Inclusion, and Bold 2028 No. 1 Market Share Ambition
Following strong uptake of its AI-powered innovations in South Africa, HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro . This is a launch that could further entrench the brand's momentum in the local mid-to-premium market. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the event brought together government and industry voices, including Communications Minister, The Honorable Mr. Solly Malatsi, underscoring the growing alignment between mobile innovation and digital policy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range, including: The first global rollout of Google Cloud's Veo 2 Image-to-Video tool , built directly into the phone's gallery AI Deepfake Detection and on-device call translation to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. HONOR's 50× AI SuperZoom , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor A 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery , IP-rated build quality and MagicOS 9.0 across the range and a big storage of 12+512G. The HONOR 400 is powered by a Snapdragon, while the 400 Pro introduces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance. Both devices are supported by Android updates and security patches, a rare commitment in this segment. The HONOR 400 Series is launched with a promotional offer: Buyers will receive R8000 worth of additional value in the form of the HONOR Choice Watch 2i, HONOR Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an HONOR Choice Powerbank 10000mAh until 31 July 2025. Available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, the HONOR 400 is priced from 12,999 and the HONOR 400 Pro from R17,999. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy.
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro Launch Underscores Impressive AI Investment, Local Inclusion, and Bold 2028 No. 1 Market Share Ambition
HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro Image: Supplied Following strong uptake of its AI-powered innovations in South Africa, HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro. This is a launch that could further entrench the brand's momentum in the local mid-to-premium market. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the event brought together government and industry voices, including Communications Minister, The Honorable Mr. Solly Malatsi, underscoring the growing alignment between mobile innovation and digital policy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range, including: The first global rollout of Google Cloud's Veo 2 Image-to-Video tool , built directly into the phone's gallery AI Deepfake Detection and on-device call translation to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. HONOR's 50× AI SuperZoom , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor A 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery , IP-rated build quality and MagicOS 9.0 across the range and a big storage of 12+512G. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy. Image: Supplied The HONOR 400 is powered by a Snapdragon, while the 400 Pro introduces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance. Both devices are supported by Android updates and security patches, a rare commitment in this segment. The HONOR 400 Series is launched with a promotional offer: Buyers will receive R8000 worth of additional value in the form of the HONOR Choice Watch 2i, HONOR Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an HONOR Choice Powerbank 10000mAh until 31 July 2025. Available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, the HONOR 400 is priced from 12,999 and the HONOR 400 Pro from R17,999. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range. Image: Supplied
