Google just dropped some exciting updates for their Vids video editor, and it is looking impressive. The roll out comes with several new features that could change how people create videos, especially for those who aren’t video editing experts.
This simple version of Vids is being made available to everyone by Google. Previously exclusive to Google Workspace or AI plan customers, the AI-powered video editor is now widely accessible to anyone, offering stock media, templates, and a “subset of AI capabilities,” product director Vishnu Sivaji tells a news media agency.
Vids, the most recent addition to Google’s Workspace toolkit, was introduced last year. With a variety of AI video editing and production tools, such as a function that assists you in creating a storyboard using recommended scenes, stock photos, and background music, it is designed to help you rapidly put together video presentations.
They’re also adding smart avatars that can speak for you, better ways to clean up messy transcripts, and tools that can turn your photos into short videos. Plus, they’re making a free version available for everyone, not just business users.
One of the new additions is the AI avatar feature. Instead of having to record yourself on camera, you can now create a digital version that can deliver your message. This is particularly useful for people who are camera-shy or want to create professional-looking content. The avatars can actually speak your script and move naturally, making your videos look more engaging and professional.
Google Vids also now has a transcript trimming feature that automatically finds and removes background noise and awkward pauses annoying parts from your videos. This used to be something you’d need expensive editing software or professional editors to handle, but now it happens automatically. The feature can spot filler words and long pauses, then suggest edits to make your content flow better.
Another interesting addition is the ability to create short videos from still images. You can upload a photo, and Google Vids will generate an 8-second video clip from it. This could be really useful for product demonstrations having a free, easy-to-use video editor from Google could be a game-changer for many users.
Google has also made it easier to edit videos stored in Google Drive. There’s now an “Open” button that appears when you’re viewing a video file in Drive, which lets you jump straight into Vids for editing. This seamless integration makes the whole process much smoother.
These updates show that Google is serious about competing in the video creation space. The company is clearly targeting users who want professional-looking results without needing professional-level skills or expensive software. The focus on accessibility and ease of use could make video creation more democratic. Small businesses, content creators, and regular users who previously felt intimidated by video editing might find these tools much more approachable.
Google has emphasized that the AI features in Vids are designed with privacy in mind. The company says it uses secure processing methods and doesn’t store personal content unnecessarily. This is important as more people become concerned about their privacy.
For many users, these tools could eliminate the need for expensive video editing software or hiring professional editors for basic projects. Whether you’re creating content for work, social media, or personal use, Google Vids is positioning itself as a simple but powerful solution. Based on early reports, Google seems to be on the right track with making video creation more accessible to everyone.
The free version of Vids lacks all of the new AI-powered features that are being released today, such as the option to have an AI-generated avatar deliver a message on your behalf, even though Sivaji says that the scaled-down version will have “pretty much all of the amazing capabilities” within the app.
With this version, you may upload your script after choosing from 12 pre-made avatars, each with a unique voice and appearance. As of right now, Vids does not allow you to make an AI-generated avatar of yourself, a feature that Zoom currently provides and that tech CEOs seem to really enjoy. Sivaji responded that Google does not currently “have any further updates to share” when questioned about this potential.
Google is also expanding on Vids’ current video creation features by enabling you to make 8-second movies that feature a particular image, like a new product. Additionally, you may now use an AI-powered tool that automatically eliminates pauses and filler words from your recording if you decide to include a video of yourself in your presentation.
Google is placing an offer that these tools will save businesses time and money when creating support materials, training films, and product demos. Because of the time required to write the script, revise it, get into the studio, record it, and then edit it, Sivaji stated that a 10-minute clip including real actors may take up to six months and cost tens of thousands of dollars. Customers are telling us that it enables them to significantly increase the number of people who can create these types of movies and the frequency of those productions.