Googles Ask Photos Makes Everyone A Pro Photo Editor

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

The Next Evolution in AI Photo Editing

Google has consistently led the charge in AI-assisted photo editing with innovative tools like Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, and Reimage. However, with its new Pixel 10 lineup, the company has introduced its most groundbreaking tool yet: Ask Photos. This feature allows you to perform both simple and complex photo edits with zero experience, simply by describing the changes you want.

This is a game-changing development that promises to save users countless hours and empower anyone to produce professional-quality images, rivaling those created with software like Photoshop. After trying it on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, it's clear this is the intuitive editing tool many have been waiting for.

Hands-On with Ask Photos

The importance of Ask Photos lies in its demonstration of the Tensor G5 chip's processing power, the precision of Google's generative AI, and its incredible ease of use. It streamlines the entire editing process by eliminating the need to hunt through menus and toolbars. Operating within the Google Photos app, Ask Photos relies on a single text box to execute a wide range of edits.

As someone who regularly uses photo-editing apps, I know how tedious even a simple task like cropping can be. Ask Photos cuts straight to the chase. In my test, I took a selfie with the 42MP front camera on the Pixel 10 Pro XL and simply asked the feature to change my button-down shirt into a blazer.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

While the process wasn't instantaneous, the result was stunning. Ask Photos not only transformed my shirt but also provided several blazer styles to choose from. But I decided to push the feature even further.

Pushing the Boundaries of Creativity

For my next request, I asked the AI to change the new blazer into a plaid one. The tool performed admirably, creating a convincing result that made me reconsider my fashion choices. Not stopping there, I continued to test its limits. I then used Ask Photos to alter the style of my glasses, add a top hat to my head, and place a relaxed-looking cat on my shoulder. To my astonishment, the AI accomplished all of these tasks, producing an unbelievable final image.

This level of intuitive power should be a major concern for competitors like Apple and Samsung. Google has made a complex creative process accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skill. It simply works.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

More Than Just Transformations

While most of my tests involved transforming elements within a photo, Ask Photos has a broader range of capabilities. You can use it to restore old, faded photographs or to remove distracting elements like a reflection or lens flare. The only request it couldn't fulfill during my trial was to make me appear skinnier.

Although Ask Photos is launching as an exclusive feature on the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro, it will eventually roll out to the Google Photos app on both iOS and Android. This means a much wider audience will gain access to its power. For those who prefer a hands-free approach, edits can also be made using voice commands.