Google Search image editing is here with Nano Banana AI. Discover how Google adds creative tools to Search, NotebookLM, and Photos.
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Google Search Now Lets You Edit Images — But Do We Really Need That?
Google just rolled out a new feature that’s raising some eyebrows: image editing inside Google Search. Yes, you read that right. Thanks to its latest AI model, Nano Banana, users can now tweak and modify photos directly within the Google app. While the tech is impressive, many are wondering—does this really belong in a search tool?
Google’s “Nano Banana” Makes Its Debut 🍌
The new AI model, Nano Banana, is now being integrated across Google products, starting with Google Lens, NotebookLM, and soon Google Photos. On Android and iOS, a new “Create” mode in Google Lens lets users either snap a picture or select one from their gallery and then instantly apply AI-powered edits.
In essence, you can take a photo of your room and transform it with different colors, lighting, or even artistic filters—all without leaving the search app. Imagine searching for “living room décor ideas” and, instead of browsing through Pinterest boards, actually redesigning your own photo with AI right there.
But here’s the big question—is this the right place for such a feature?
Useful, or Just More AI Bloat? 🤔
While the technology behind Nano Banana is undeniably clever, many users argue it feels misplaced in Google Search. Lens was designed to find things, not edit them. It’s like walking into a hardware store and discovering an ice cream stand in the middle of the aisle—it might be fun, but it doesn’t really belong there.
If you truly want to enhance or manipulate a picture, you’d probably turn to specialized apps like Google Photos, Snapseed, or even Adobe Express, not your search bar.
NotebookLM Gets a Smarter, More Visual Touch ✨
Not all of Nano Banana’s integrations feel out of place, though. Its arrival in NotebookLM makes much more sense. This AI model now powers the tool’s Video Overviews feature, bringing a more creative and visual approach to research and note-taking.
Users can generate overviews in six artistic styles, including watercolor and anime, making complex summaries both informative and visually engaging. Nano Banana also generates contextual images based on your notes or research sources—essentially turning dry data into clear visual summaries.
And for those who prefer quick insights, NotebookLM now introduces a new “Brief” format, designed to deliver concise visual summaries without diving too deep into the details.
Coming Soon: Nano Banana in Google Photos 📷
Perhaps the most logical destination for Nano Banana is Google Photos, where image editing already feels right at home. While Google hasn’t shared specifics yet, the feature will likely expand the app’s existing editing toolkit with new generative AI capabilities—letting users reimagine photos, change backgrounds, or apply creative effects effortlessly.
Here, Nano Banana actually fits the puzzle. Google Photos already encourages users to enhance, stylize, and organize their memories—adding generative editing feels like the natural next step.
Google’s AI journey is getting more ambitious by the day. Nano Banana represents both the promise and the problem of this new era: innovation sometimes blurs the line between useful and unnecessary.
While AI-assisted creativity is exciting, not every product needs it. Integrating image editing into Search feels like a stretch, even if it’s technically impressive. But within NotebookLM and Google Photos? That’s where it can truly shine—helping users visualize, create, and communicate ideas more effectively.
Whether you love it or find it redundant, one thing’s certain: Google’s not slowing down on its mission to make AI a part of everything—even your next search result.
Source: Google Blog
