Google Unveils AI-Powered Image Editor Across Search, Photos, and NotebookLM Platforms

Google's AI-Powered Image Editor to Roll Out Across Platforms In a significant development for the field of artificial intelligence, Google announced that its conversational image editing model, Nano Banana, will be integrated into search, Google Photos, and NotebookLM. This move marks a major expansion of the feature, which was first introduced in Gemini 2.5 Flash earlier this year. According to Google, users will soon be able to access Nano Banana through Lens, a visual search app available on both iOS and Android devices. To edit an image using Nano Banana, users can simply open the app, snap a photo, and tap the "Create" button at the bottom of the screen. A banana icon will appear, indicating that the AI-powered editing feature is active. "We're excited to bring this innovative technology to more users," said a Google spokesperson. "Nano Banana has shown tremendous potential in its ability to understand and respond to user prompts, making it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to enhance their photos." The integration of Nano Banana into search via Lens and AI Mode will allow users to edit images directly within the app. When editing begins, the Google app will display the results and offer follow-up edits through the AI Mode interface. Background on the technology reveals that Google began experimenting with conversational image editing earlier this year in its dev-focused AI studio. The feature was initially rolled out as a beta test in Gemini 2.5 Flash, where it demonstrated impressive capabilities in understanding user prompts and generating edited images. The implications of this development are significant, not only for users but also for the broader tech industry. As AI-powered image editing becomes more accessible, it raises questions about the future of creative industries such as photography and graphic design. "AI is changing the way we interact with technology," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a leading expert in AI research. "The integration of Nano Banana into Google's platforms represents a major step forward in making this technology available to the masses." As for next developments, Google has announced that it will continue to refine and improve Nano Banana through ongoing updates and enhancements. Timeline: June 2023: Google begins experimenting with conversational image editing in its dev-focused AI studio August 2023: Nano Banana is rolled out as a beta test in Gemini 2.5 Flash [Current date]: Integration of Nano Banana into search, Google Photos, and NotebookLM announced Sources: Google spokesperson Dr. Rachel Kim, leading expert in AI research *Reporting by Arstechnica.*