Building on the viral success of its image-editing and photo generation AI model Nano Banana, Google is reportedly expanding the tool’s availability across more of its platforms. The search giant has integrated Nano Banana in AI Mode and Google Lens. Android users in the United States who have opted into the AI Mode Search Lab reported seeing Nano Banana in Google Lens and AI Mode today (October 13), according to a report by 9to5 Google. It is unclear if the integration is available for all users worldwide. The model was first released last month, and later integrated into the Google Gemini app. The launch sparked a new viral trend of AI-generated images on social media which, in turn, took the Gemini AI chatbot app to the No. 1 spot on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store India charts. The Nano Banana AI model has reportedly been used to edit more than 500 million images since its launch, as per Google. Here’s how users can access the new AI feature through Google Lens or AI Mode in Google Search. Nano Banana via AI Mode Launched earlier this year, AI Mode is Google’s flagship search functionality that responds to users’ free-form, complex search queries with AI-generated responses and citations. Now, AI Mode in Google Search has a new ‘plus’ icon in the bottom-left corner of the prompt box. The Voice Input and Google Lens buttons have been moved to the right. Clicking on the plus icon shows users various options such as the Gallery (like before), Camera, and Create Images with a banana emoji. By choosing the last option, the prompt hint changes to “Describe your image.” After making edits to an uploaded image or generating a new one using Nano Banana, users can also download the AI-modified image and share it with others. The AI-modified image carries a Gemini spark watermark in the bottom-right corner. Last week, Google further announced AI Mode support for 35 new languages as well as expanding it to 40 new countries and territories. Nano Banana via Google Lens In Google Lens, users need to click on the ‘Create’ tab. This will further prompt users to capture or create with the Nano Banana emoji appearing near the shutter button. Earlier, the company had also added Search Live (which lets users talk to Search and ask questions about things in front of them) and a new ‘Homework’ filter within Google Lens. At last year’s I/O event, Google showcased a new Lens capability called ‘Ask with Video’ that is powered by multi-modal generative AI and allows users to ask questions using video. Meanwhile, Nano Banana is also available for use on WhatsApp via Perplexity’s bot. Open WhatsApp, and search +1 (833) 436-3285 – the WhatsApp number of Perplexity AI. Once located, upload the image of your choice and ask it to transform the image using AI. The Nano Banana model is further available through the Gemini API and Google AI Studio for developers, and Vertex AI for enterprises.
