During the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple introduced a range of AI-powered functionalities for its devices, including a new Clean Up tool for the Photos app. This tool enables users to easily remove undesired objects or people from their photos by selecting them. Interestingly, Apple’s AI Clean Up tool has a strong similarity to similar features already present on competing phones, such as Google’s “Magic Eraser.”
Apple is not the first company to release a comparable photo-editing app to Google’s. AI Eraser tools have recently been implemented for users by Samsung and even OnePlus. What is the significance of these AI erasers, given that mobile manufacturers are providing AI capabilities to their devices more and more?
The trend started with Google’s Magic Eraser, an AI-powered image editing tool in Google Photos designed to eliminate distractions from photos automatically. Initially launched with the Pixel 6, the tool was exclusive to Pixel phones and later became accessible through a paid Google One subscription. Recently, Google expanded Magic Eraser’s availability, offering it for free to more Android users. This user-friendly photo editing feature requires just a few taps or a simple outline around the unwanted element for the AI to take over. Whether it’s removing a photobomber or a stray telephone pole, these AI tools can effectively erase them and seamlessly fill in the space.
Samsung debuted its Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, demonstrating a range of AI features, following Google’s example. Samsung’s application, called Generative Edit, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to remove or move items in pictures while maintaining a natural backdrop fill. With the release of its own AI Eraser tool just one month ago, OnePlus embraced the AI revolution with devices like the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus Nord CE 4. AI Eraser creates a seamless replacement backdrop and removes items from photos with effectiveness.
Recently, Apple unveiled its Clean Up tool, designed to replicate the functionality of Google’s Magic Eraser. Users access the Photos app, choose a picture, and mark or highlight the undesired object or person. The tool subsequently removes the highlighted element, resulting in a virtually invisible edit.
Apple recently released an update that included a tool called Clean Up that functions similarly to Google’s Magic Eraser. Users may now pick a photo in the Photos app and easily highlight or circle the unwanted subject or object. The tool quickly eliminates the highlighted portion, producing an edit that looks natural in the picture.
While the Magic Eraser tool is a fun feature for enhancing photo quality, the question remains: why are phone manufacturers so enthusiastic about integrating this capability?
This development can be attributed to two factors. These tools’ underlying technology, generative AI, is becoming more and more well-liked, and users are eager for smartphones with AI features. These kinds of tools offer a practical way to quickly modify images without requiring complicated software like Photoshop.
Integrating AI rubber technologies helps businesses achieve a number of goals. First off, it improves the user experience, making their products more appealing and competitive, as was already mentioned. In a market where camera quality is influencing decisions more and more, sophisticated photo editing features might impact buying decisions.
Second, these technologies are a step in the direction of a future powered by AI. Even a simple editing tool, like the one offered by OnePlus, reassures customers that the business is embracing AI innovation, highlighting its technological acumen and enhancing its reputation as an innovator.
Furthermore, it is probable that these features are designed to encourage more user interaction within their ecosystems, which could result in more subscriptions and purchases. For example, Google’s Magic Eraser, which was before only accessible with the Google One membership, is now free for a larger group of Android users. This improves user engagement and presents Google as a more approachable and user-focused company.
Even though photo editing technology is still developing, this shows where smartphone photography is going. Apple’s entry into the market is expected to increase competition, leading to the eventual delivery of more potent and user-friendly editing capabilities straight to consumers’ devices.
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