October 8 Update below: Google confirms feature announcement sent in error. This story was originally published on October 5.
Google Photos has finally begun rolling out its new “Create” tab outside of the U.S., but international users eager to try Google’s latest AI-powered tools are in for a big disappointment, as the update promises features it does then deliver.
The Create tab, launched in the U.S. in July, consolidates Google Photos’ creative tools, offering features such as collages, highlight videos, and AI-powered options, including Photo to Video and Remix. However, these AI features, which transform photos into short videos and artistic styles, remain unavailable to most international users.
October 8 Update: Google has now clarified the rollout of its new AI-powered features in Google Photos, confirming that international users should not have been prompted to try Remix or Photo to Video.
A Google representative explained to me that the promotion was mistakenly displayed and this is now being rectified:
“The promo was not meant to be shown to users outside of the U.S. We've started rolling out a fix to make sure it is only shown to users who can access those features.”
The news will likely disappoint international users who were hoping for an imminent release of these AI tools, but the delay underscores Google’s careful approach to AI deployment. For now, users outside the U.S. will have to remain patient. If you see the promo in your app for Remix and Photo to Video, but you’re not in the U.S., then you can stop searching for the missing features as they’re not yet available.
When the Create tab has been enabled in your app, users are greeted with a popup encouraging them to try the new Remix and Photo to Video features. However, with many users unable to access these features, Google has created a frustrating disconnect between the app’s promotion and its actual functionality.
International users are currently limited to the basic creative tools, such as collages, cinematic photos and animations, which were already available in the app. They’re still useful, but are significantly less advanced than Google’s newer AI-powered features.
That said, the new Create tab remains a valuable addition to the app, even for users outside the U.S., as it streamlines the content creation experience. The tab adds enticing visuals and helpful suggestions that encourage users to create and share more, even without access to the advanced AI features.
For example, it will suggest people, places and events that you can turn into a highlight video with just a few taps. You can then add more manually or create your own from scratch.
Users who prefer the original interface or haven’t yet received the Create tab update can still access all creative tools by tapping the “+” icon at the top right of the Google Photos app and selecting “Create new.” From there, you can choose what you want to create from a simple text-based menu. This menu also lets you order physical products from Google’s print shop - a tool that hasn’t been added to the Creative tab.
Google is taking a justifiably cautious approach to rolling out its advanced AI features internationally, but this will continue to frustrate users outside the U.S., particularly those prompted to try unavailable tools. To rub salt into the wound, U.S. users may soon receive an update to the Photo to Video feature that will significantly enhance its power. Once again, International users will just have to wait.
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