Google's AI Video Generator debuts on a non-Pixel smartphone device
Foolin' Around with AI: Google's New Video Genesis on Honor Phones
Google recently unveiled Veo 2, their latest AI video generation model, and if you're willing to fork over some cash, it can churn out short video clips. But here's a fun twist: instead of rolling out this videos-on-tap feature to their in-house Pixel line first, Google has chosen an unexpected player—Honor phones—to debut it. Yes, you read that right! The first smartphone users to get a taste of Veo 2 for free aren't Pixel owners, but folks rocking Honor handsets.
According to reports from The Verge, anyone snagging an Honor 400 or 400 Pro can access Veo 2 for free, at least for the initial two months. And for a surprising change, Honor phone users won't be confined to animating images generated by Whisk. Instead, they'll be able to animate their own snaps, transforming static shots into brief video gold right on their device.
Now, you may be thinking, "What's the big deal? Haven't we seen this before with Snapchat and Instagram filters?" Well, let me tell you—Veo 2 is a level up. It's not your typical face-distorting, sugar-rush filter—it's learnt to animate a photo of late rocker Grant Nicholas, strumming away on his guitar, making the image seem like a grainy clip from a live show. (Please note that the videos included with the article had to be converted to GIFs and may not quite capture Veo 2's full potential.)
If you're a photography buff or a social media maven with a love for all things creative, you might be excited to put Veo 2 through its paces on your Honor phone. But keep in mind, this ain't a pro-level tool. While Veo 2 shows promise with simple subjects, it can struggle with complex scenes, leading to unnatural animations or bizarre artifacts.
Veo 2's limitations extend further, as the feature is capped at 20 video generations per day. Honor—or possibly Google—plans to introduce a subscription for continuous use, although details are still hush-hush at this point.
So, that leaves us asking, "Who's gonna use this for anything beyond a party trick?" People intrigued by AI-generated videos may have fun fiddling with their favorite pics at first, but the results aren't exactly essential. Will we all be paying for the privilege of hitting refresh on those videos when the feature goes subscription-only?
Hey, it's an interesting move by Google, and if it helps Honor phones gain traction, more power to 'em. But truth be told, I'm not shedding too many tears for Pixel users. After all, if the Veo 2 experience on Honor phones is any indication, they might be better off waiting for the next big thing.
When is Veo 2 on Pixel, and will tech enthusiasts be excited to test it on their Honor smartphones instead? With Veo 2's debut on Honor 400 and 400 Pro devices, gadget lovers who appreciate photography and technology can experiment with AI-generated videos right at their fingertips.
