Honor Launches New Phones with Google-Powered AI Image-to-Video Feature

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor has introduced a new AI-powered image-to-video generator on its upcoming models, the Honor 400 and 400 Pro, which are set to launch next week on May 22nd. The feature leverages Google's Veo 2 AI model to transform static images into five-second video clips, offering a unique and innovative way to bring photos to life. Despite its advanced technology, the process is straightforward: the tool, integrated into the Gallery app, generates each video in about one to two minutes without requiring additional inputs like text prompts. In practice, the AI sometimes performs impressively. For instance, when provided with a clear photo of a person or pet, it can produce quite realistic movements. However, the results can be quirky and unpredictable. A photo of a vintage car yielded a clip where the car spun impossibly on the spot, while fresh tomatoes were handled by a ghostly hand. An image of a women's soccer game was interpreted as having at least 27 players from three teams, complete with two referees managing the chaos. In one particularly humorous example, the AI generated a video of a pigeon flying out of Vincent Van Gogh's eye when presented with one of his self-portraits. The output videos are in MP4 format, though they have been converted to GIFs for this article, which may have slightly reduced their image quality. Honor is providing this feature for free to Honor 400 owners for the first two months, with a daily limit of ten video generations. According to Chris Langley, Honor’s UK marketing director, the company plans to introduce a subscription model for continued use, although the specifics remain unclear. For now, users of the Honor 400 and 400 Pro can experiment with this cutting-edge technology, adding a dynamic touch to their static photos. While the AI-generated videos can be hit or miss, they offer a fun and creative new dimension to mobile photography. Photography and video credits: Dominic Preston / The Verge.