Pixel 8 Gets Animated GIFs with Pixel Studio
▼ Summary
– Google is expanding Pixel Studio availability to the Pixel 8 series for image generation and editing, as indicated by an updated support article.
– The Pixel 8 will receive a new screenshot and general-purpose editor that replaces Markup, originally introduced with the Pixel 10 series.
– A new “Animate image” feature allows users to create animations from prompts and add stickers or captions before sharing.
– Animated images can be shared as GIFs or WebP files, with the feature likely powered by Veo technology.
– This update is expected in the next Feature Drop, possibly with Android 16 QPR2, though the recent November update makes timing uncertain.
Google is expanding the availability of its Pixel Studio app to include the Pixel 8 series, bringing with it a powerful new feature: the ability to animate images and share them as GIFs. A recent update to the official support documentation confirms this expanded compatibility, changing the listed supported devices from “Pixel 9 and later” to “Pixel 8 and later.” This move signals Google’s intention to deliver more of its latest software innovations to a broader range of its recent smartphone lineup.
While the support page has been revised, the functionality is not yet active for Pixel 8 users. Attempting to install the app from the Google Play Store will currently be unsuccessful, indicating that the rollout is pending. Beyond the headline animation tool, Pixel 8 owners are also set to receive a new, integrated screenshot and general-purpose editor. This updated editor will replace the older Markup tool and was first introduced on the Pixel 10 series before making its way to the Pixel 9.
The most exciting addition detailed on the updated support page is the “Animate image” capability. To use it, users simply tap the “Animate image” option. They can then type in a custom prompt or choose from a selection of suggested prompts displayed above the text box. After the animation is generated, further personalization is possible. Tapping “Add sticker or caption” allows users to overlay text or graphics onto their newly animated creation.
A particularly useful aspect of this feature is the export option. Users will be able to share their animated creations directly as GIF files, with a WebP format also available for download. The sophisticated animation technology powering this is widely believed to be Google’s Veo model. This development was previously hinted at in a Pixel Drop leak, suggesting that the software update itself was pulled back at the last moment, while the support documentation was published prematurely.
The full suite of these new features is expected to be part of an upcoming Pixel Feature Drop, most likely coinciding with the release of Android 16 QPR2. However, given that a significant November update already occurred, the exact timing for this next drop remains somewhat uncertain.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
