The long-awaited Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have finally launched. Included together with the new phones, Google is taking full advantage of the AI-focused Tensor chip to introduce a suite of new computational photography and editing features.
One such feature is Magic Eraser, which lets you pick and choose any distractions in your photos to be digitally removed. Things such as photobombers, power lines, or maybe just people you don’t like anymore; Magic Eraser can remove them not only from photos taken on the Pixel 6, but also in older photos from non-Pixel phones.
Google says that the algorithm will automatically recommend objects to be erased but you can also manually choose what gets deleted from the photo by circling them. The feature uses machine learning to figure out what you’re trying to remove and predicts what the pixels would look like without the object, similar to Photoshop’s content-aware fill.
Another interesting feature is Motion Mode, which uses AI to add action in photos by detecting any motions in the picture and integrating it. With the mode turned on, the camera will take multiple photos and uses machine learning to simulate panning and long-exposure to make moving background parts blurry while keeping the subject in sharp focus.
A similar tool called Face Unblur detects when a person is blurry in photos and uses AI to unblur the face. Google gives an example of taking pictures of overactive kids playing and running around, which captures the playfulness while still getting their faces in focus.
The Pixel 6’s camera also has what Google calls Real Tone, which is the company’s attempt at making Android cameras more inclusive by training their AI to better detect darker skin tones. The company claims that Real Tone improves exposure, white balance, and blurriness, making the photos more accurate and sharper regardless of skin colour.
(Source: Google)
