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Google has introduced Vids to widen its access to video creation, a free basic editor alongside new AI-powered tools for premium users. The update marks the first time consumers outside of Google Workspace. It has advanced generative AI features, including AI avatars, transcript trimming, and image-to-video tools, which are being rolled out to paying subscribers.
Vids makes video editing available to more users.
Vids was introduced to Google Workspace last year as part of Google’s efforts to assist users in preparing professional video presentations quickly. The platform integrates templates, stock media and AI video generation tools into one editor. It has so far been restricted to Workspace and those who are subscribers to Google AI plans.
Google is making Vids available to everybody with a free version. The free editor has most of the core tools, but does not have the new upgrades with generative AI announced this week. The additional availability is to attract more creators and companies to embrace the use of Google video platform, especially in the areas of presentations, training videos, and product demos.
New AI avatars increase the choices of presentation.
Some of the headline changes to paying customers include the introduction of AI avatars. The user can currently use 12 ready-to-go avatars which appear and talk in a certain manner to give the scripted messages on their behalf. This characteristic is reflective of a trend increasing throughout the video platforms where avatars are being utilized in training or in business communication
Zoom already has a feature to generate AI avatars that look like the individual users but Google has not yet applied it to Vids. Asked whether it is possible to add personalized avatars in the future, Sivaji product director at Google responded that Google had no news. At present, the user has to deal with the ready-made characters that are offered in the platform.
Image-to-video software Veo 3-powered.
Google is also introducing an image to video generation tool to Vids. The feature was powered by Veo 3 and allows users to take a motionless picture, i.e., the photo of a product and turn it into a short video clip. The maximum length of a clip is eight seconds and it provides companies with an option of making promotional or demonstration content in a short period.
The tool expands the existing storyboard option in Vids that allows users to combine recommended scenes, stock photos, and background music to create the entire presentations. Automation of storyboarding and image-to-video conversion is designed to save on time taken to create refined video files.
Cut transcripts with AI efficiency.
The other innovation is on enhancing recorded video. An AI transcript trimmer can be used to identify and exclude filler words or pauses on uploaded recording automatically. This automation is also very handy to presenters who would still like to sound brief and professional without the need to dedicate more time on manual editing.
The highlighting of the trimming tool shows how Google has a wider perspective in integrating AI within Workspace products in improving productivity. The system can be used to create cleaner clips to be used in training, support or marketing by determining the speech patterns and removing unnecessary pauses.
Free editor separates from premium AI
Although the new AI features are also unique to Google Workspace subscribers and the owners of the AI Pro or AI Ultra plan, the free version of Vids can now be used by anybody. The free editor has templates, stock media access, and essential editing features, and thus it is a viable solution to consumers who wish to make video projects without AI-enhanced features.
Sivaji notes that this early iteration retains a lot of the fantastic features that users receive on the site, but only excludes the recently declared AI capabilities. Google is also developing a series of instructional videos known as Vids on Vids that shows users the tools and workflows of the platform. The series is aimed at getting new users to learn fast to create videos whether they are using the free or the paid version of the program.
Businesses eye time and cost savings
Google has positioned the AI upgrades as means of cutting production time and expenses on businesses. According to Sivaji, it is possible to spend months and tens of thousands of dollars developing a conventional 10-minute corporate video involving real actors, because of scripting, shooting and editing.
Comparatively, the AI-based solution in Vids is meant to enable the firms to scale video creation in a more efficient manner. Transcript trimming, image-to-video tools and automated avatars eliminate obstacles that tend to slow down workflows. Such efficiencies may render Vids desirable to businesses that create training modules or customer support clips or product demonstrations at higher rates.
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