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key takeaways
- Google has added an impressive feature to Photos.
- The AI Image Expander is hidden but easy to use.
- You can extend your photos for all sorts of purposes.
Have you ever taken a great photo and thought, "This is going to be my new desktop wallpaper!" Then, when you set it as such, you realize that it doesn't quite extend to the screen edges, and stretching it skews the photo out of true.
Or maybe you want a print version, but the image is missing something to really make it pop.
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Well, there's a hidden feature found in the Google Photos app (on Pixel phones) that's right up your alley. This new feature uses AI to improve your photos in a way you might not have even realized you needed.
The feature is called AI Image Expander, and it allows you to extend photos to better fit whatever need you have for them. You might think such a feature requires a one-time or monthly payment (as it does with other apps like Photoshop and Canva), but this time around it's 100% free and built right into the Google Photos app.
It's just hidden a bit. It's also seriously impressive.
How to use the AI Image Expander
What you'll need: The only thing you'll need is a Pixel phone with an updated version of Android. Of course, you'll also need a photo to edit.
1. Open Google Photos
Open the Google Photos app on your Pixel phone.
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2. Choose a photo
Next, find a photo you'd like to expand, tap to open it, and then tap Edit.
My Jeep, Slimer, is ready for its close-up.
3. Open Actions
At the bottom of the page, tap Actions, and then tap the tiny ruler icon at the top left of the photo.
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There are several cool tools you can use at this point.
4. Start the framing
You should now see an Auto Frame button at the top left of the image. Tap that button, and the AI will automatically reframe your image.
I'm about to extend this photo. Are you ready for it?
5. Choose your image
When the framing is finished (it should take less than 30 seconds), you'll be presented with the best option in the main viewer, as well as alternative options below. Tap each option to find the image that best suits your needs, and then tap the checkmark at the bottom right to save the extended image.
Also: Did Google just give us the ultimate AI photo-editing tool? I tested it on the Pixel, and hard agree
Impressive, no?
You can then use that extended image for desktop wallpapers, photos, PR material, or whatever.
Also: How to turn your Google Photos into videos in seconds - it's free and so much fun
Google has pushed some very impressive AI features onto the Pixel phones, and the extended photo option ranks among the most impressive photo tools. One reason this particular feature stands out is that it's rather challenging to tell the image was expanded using AI. In my testing, each expanded image looked as if it were the actual photo I took with the Pixel camera.
Give this feature a try and see if it doesn't wow you like it did me.
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