In a rather significant expansion, Google is making its AI-powered editing tools in Photos free without a subscription for all users, including the Magic Editor introduced with the Pixel 8.
Previously, these features required either a Google One subscription or owning a Pixel. The biggest feature going free is Magic Eraser, which first launched on the Pixel 6 in 2021. Last year, Google brought it to all Pixel phones and Google One subscribers, including on iOS. It can remove identified people, objects, and other distractions, with the ability to manually select by circling. A Camouflage mode lets you change the color of things to “help them blend in.”
The full list of what’s going free includes:
- Magic Eraser
- Unblur
- HDR effect for photos & videos
- Portrait blur
- Portrait light: Add light/Balance light features in the Portrait light tool
- Color pop
- Sky suggestions
- Cinematic photos
- Styles in collage editor
- Video effects
Top comment by Ani
So people on free plan might be thinking it's unfair to put features behind paywall.
The Google One subscribers might be thinking all features going for everyone what's the value are we getting from this?
People who bought Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro might be thinking so what exclusive features do we have now after paying?
People who bought older pixels might be thinking so why aren't we getting the features as we paid it already?
The new freemium thing is a balanced approach. Google needs to sell new devices if they won't make features exclusive people might not upgrade. If they won't put features in Google One paid plans then it might get feel not attractive option against compitition if you only compared it based on storage size so such features become part of the paid plan is expected.
I think Google should include Google One paid plans for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users so that might create upper hand for users who paid for the hardware. Like 200 GB plan for 8 and 2TB for 8 Pro for 24 or 36 months or if you have 256 GB phone you get 256 GB cloud storage
Google says “you’ll also be able to access these features on more devices, including Pixel tablets.” It will specifically be available for Android 8.0+ and iOS 15+ devices with at least 3GB of RAM, while your Chromebook Plus must run ChromeOS 118+.
Meanwhile, Magic Editor is dropping its Pixel 8 series exclusivity and coming to “all Pixel devices.” Generative AI allows for drag-and-drop Photoshop with the ability to reposition subjects, as well as change their size. You can adjust the sky, including removing clouds.
Furthermore, “all Google Photos users on Android and iOS will get 10 Magic Editor saves per month.” To make more edits, you need a Pixel or Google One Premium (2TB and above) plan.
Magic Editor has its own list of minimum system requirements. This expanded availability is coming May 15 and the rollout will take several weeks.
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