Google opens Vids to all users with templates, avatars, and AI tools

TL;DR

• Google is rolling out a basic, broadly available version of its AI-powered video editor Vids to everyone, including templates, stock media, and a subset of AI capabilities. The Verge
• The basic version does not include new AI features like AI-generated avatars or an image-to-video tool. It introduces 12 pre-made avatars and other upgraded capabilities, but personalized AI avatars remain unavailable in this build. The Verge
• The rollout includes 8-second videos based on a specific image and an AI-powered tool that removes filler words and pauses from recordings. These features aim to accelerate product demos, training, and support content creation. The Verge

Context and background

Vids is Google’s AI-powered video editor and the latest addition to Google’s Workspace tools. Launched last year, it helps users quickly assemble video presentations with AI-assisted editing and creation features, including a storyboard with suggested scenes, stock images, and background music. Previously, access to Vids was limited to Google Workspace or AI plan subscribers. The Verge notes that the basic rollout expands access beyond those groups, offering templates, stock media, and a subset of AI capabilities to a broader audience. The Verge

What’s new

• Broad rollout of a basic Vids version to all users, with templates, stock media, and a subset of AI features. The Verge
• Introduction of 12 pre-made avatars (each with its own appearance and voice) that users can select to deliver a message, by adding a script. Note: this does not include creating an AI-generated avatar of the user’s own likeness. The Verge
• New capability to generate 8-second videos that incorporate a specific image, such as a product photo. The Verge
• An AI-powered tool to automatically remove filler words and pauses from video recordings, aiding in the production of product demos, training videos, or support content. The Verge

Why it matters (impact for developers/enterprises)

Google positions Vids as a way to dramatically scale video production, reducing time and cost for creating product demos, training materials, and support content. In speaking with The Verge, product director Vishnu Sivaji emphasized that a long, multi-actor production can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars, whereas the updated Vids aims to make production faster and more scalable. The company expects the updated tooling to help organizations produce more videos with fewer resources. The Verge

Technical details or Implementation

• Access: The basic version of Vids is now available to everyone, extending beyond Google Workspace or AI plan subscribers. The Verge
• Avatars: Users can choose from 12 pre-made avatars, each with a distinct appearance and voice, to deliver scripted messages. Importantly, this update does not enable users to create AI-generated avatars of themselves. The Verge
• Image-to-video: The upgrade includes the ability to generate short videos (8 seconds) that incorporate a specific image. The Verge
• AI-assisted editing: The new release adds an AI-powered tool to automatically remove filler words and pauses from recordings. The Verge
• Context: The feature expansion aligns with Google’s push to help enterprises scale video creation for product demos, training, and support content. The Verge | Feature | Availability | Notes |--- |--- |--- |Access level | Basic version available to all users | Extends beyond Workspace/AI plan subscribers |Avatars | 12 pre-made avatars available | Cannot create a personalized AI avatar of yourself at this time |Image-to-video | 8-second videos from a specific image | Part of the updated feature set |Filler-word removal | AI-powered tool | Helps remove pauses and filler words from recordings |Templates and stock media | Included | Provides quick-start options for video creation |

Key takeaways

• Google expands Vids access to all users with templates, stock media, and a subset of AI features.
• The update includes 12 pre-made avatars and 8-second image-based video generation, but not personalized AI avatars of users.
• An AI-driven filler-word removal tool is included to streamline video recordings.
• The changes are aimed at reducing time and cost for corporate video tasks like demos, training, and support content.
• The Verge notes that these capabilities could dramatically scale video production for organizations.

References

• https://www.theverge.com/news/766557/google-vids-ai-avatar-gemini-image-to-video