Google Photos now includes beautiful video effects in its editing toolkit

Google Photos, which is often referred to as the “Swiss Army knife” of gallery apps, keeps getting better with each new version. For instance, Photos recently received a handy import function. The app has been made even more comprehensive for Android users with the addition of video effects and refined media controls.

As demonstrated in a video posted by In Depth Tech Reviews (via Google News on Telegram), a new feature that will be added to Google Photos’ video editing suite will enable users to incorporate a variety of special effects into their videos. A new effects tab in the edit interface contains all of the options. The app downloads the effects after you select them from the tab, and you’re good to go.

Dust Max, Black and White Film, Light Leak, and a number of other effects have been added by Google to the app. Your videos get a more personal look thanks to these effects. For instance, the Layouts effect gives your selfie videos a neat, block-by-block look, while the Poster effect makes your video look like folded paper.

In Depth Tech Reviews tried this on a Google Pixel 7 Expert with Android 14 Beta 3, and it seems to have exactly the intended effect. It additionally chips away at my Pixel 6 with Android 13, so it’s not attached to the see rendition of Android.

In addition, Google has simplified the video playback controls. There are now buttons to skip forward and backward instead of just play and pause. It’s a welcome upgrade from the previous version, which was demonstrated on the Pixel 7a in the video.

The profile menu can also be updated. Google has replaced the previous floating box design with a full-screen view that appears when the profile menu is activated. The YouTuber claims that the makeover is also available in other Google apps for him, so it’s not just in Google Photos.