A new leaked promotional video for Google's upcoming Pixel 8 reveals that the phone will allow you to use artificial intelligence to alter faces in images.
Posted by 91Mobiles via a tip from leaker Kamila Wojciechowska, this new leaked promotion video showcasing the Pixel 8's new AI integrations showcases Magic Editor, a feature Google announced would come to "select" Pixel phones during its I/O keynote in May. Like Magic Eraser, Magic Editor uses AI to alter images to your liking. Think of the tools as a more simplified way of Photoshopping.
The leaked ad flaunts another demonstration, showing a family on a carousel and an individual taking a picture and then altering the faces, such as having the father look directly at the camera. Magic Editor was also shown in the video altering the kids from making goofy faces to both smiling directly at the camera.
Reaction to the video has been mixed. Journalist Ryan Broderick called it "deeply upsetting and grim". "Editing your personal photos to make people look happier, more photogenic. The ability to edit your own memories essentially. Awful stuff," Broderick said.
Ben Schoon, senior editor at 9to5Google, was more enthusiastic, saying "the average user is going to be thrilled about this".
The ad also shows other interesting tidbits, such as altering the sky from midday to sunset and repositioning the subject in the photo. The Pixel 8 introduces a new feature called "Pro Controls", which the video notes are "modeled after DLSR controls". The video showed a few options to adjust ISO, enable manual focus and shutter speed.
Google has yet to announce the Pixel 8 series officially; leaks and rumors have surfaced on the internet for months, including one by Wojciechowska where she posted a list of the full specs for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro on the social media app X (formerly Twitter). According to Wojciechowska, the Pixel 8 Pro will introduce a new 48MP ultrawide camera, while the Pixel 8's ultrawide camera is 12MP, though both will get the same 50MP wide camera.
With Google's next event scheduled for October 4, we won't have to wait much longer for Google to announce the next generation of its Pixel smartphone.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
