‘Bizarre’ Android upgrade leaks allowing users to instantly add friends into group photos when they’re not there
GOOGLE is reportedly working on a “bizarre” new feature that allows users to add friends into photos after they’re taken.
The feature will apparently land in the upcoming Google Pixel 9, which is expected to launch in a matter of weeks.
Google decided to officially reveal the new handsets early after a number of leaks – but the company has remained silent about features.
The firm has previously raised eye-brows with its Best Take feature which lets people swap their face for an alternative expression.
Now a fresh leak has shared a new “Add Me” tool that takes editing to the next level.
It was outed on YouTube – which Google also owns – by OnLeaks before it was mysteriously removed.
You can see a screenshot on The Verge.
The ad purportedly gave a glimpse of the feature in action.
In it, the video shows how two friends have a photo taken in front of a van.
The person taking the photo then swaps with one of the people so they can take another snap.
Both photos are then merged so it looks like all three were in the shot at the same time.
Some have described the idea as “bizarre” on social media.
“This totally won’t be used in nefarious ways,” one wrote on X.
Meanwhile, others praised the idea as being genuinely useful.
“I’m actually excited about this Add Me feature!” another commented.
“It’s about time we had a seamless way to add ourselves to group photos. Can’t wait to try it out on August 13.”
A third said: “That’s a really clever feature!
“I could definitely see that coming in handy!”
A fourth added: “This is a great example of an ai feature that’s actually helpful!”
Pixel 9 - what we know so far
Both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold were shown in the flesh for the first time by Google recently.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold naming was also a big give hint about the company’s future plans, suggesting that the Fold is entering the main family of Pixel handsets rather than sitting alongside it – meaning we could see new Fold releases each year alongside the traditional phones.
The Pixel 9 Pro featured in a promo video which heavily focused on the company’s latest AI gizmo, Gemini.
In the Fold clip, we see that the camera will come in the form of a double-stacked lenses on the rear of the device.
That’s a change from the existing Pixel Fold, which is a more traditional long but thin design for the camera compartment.
Fans also get a glimpse of the internal main display and the all-important hinge.