Google's Nano Banana: The AI Image Editing Tool Taking the World by Storm

ETtech Explainer: Is Google's Nano Banana AI better than OpenAI's Sora, Adobe's Firefly, others? - The Economic Times

Google's Gemini app introduced "Nano Banana," an advanced AI image editing tool, on August 26. Within days, the feature crossed 10 million downloads and powered over 200 million image edits, according to the company. From September 6, the tool was also rolled out on X (formerly Twitter), allowing users to generate images by tagging Nano Banana in posts along with prompts. What is Nano Banana? Nano Banana is an image generation and editing model built into the Gemini app. It lets users transform photos using natural language instructions. The update was made available across the Gemini app, Gemini API, Google AI Studio, and Vertex AI, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a post on X. The launch builds on the Gemini 2.0 Flash suite of models released in February, which Google said incorporated user feedback to improve image quality and creative control. Gemini 2.5 Flash Image is priced at $30 per 1 million output tokens, with each image averaging $0.039. Key features The tool can perform tasks such as editing objects in photos, maintaining character consistency across scenes, fusing multiple images, and making prompt-based changes -- for example, removing people from a frame, blurring a background, or adjusting lighting. Branding and education use cases Brands have quickly adopted Nano Banana for campaigns. Google has promoted collaborations with Coca-Cola India featuring Sonam Bajwa, Shubman Gill and Janhvi Kapoor, and with Boat cofounder Aman Gupta. The tool has also been used to create music promos and social content. In education, Google says the model can read hand-drawn diagrams, assist with real-world questions, and provide interactive explanations, positioning it as a creative teaching aid. Competing with Sora, Firefly, and others Nano Banana enters a crowded field of generative AI tools. OpenAI's Sora, launched in December 2024, can generate up to 60-second videos from text prompts -- a longer duration than rivals such as Runway and Pika Labs, which cap at four seconds. Adobe launched Firefly Video in February 2025, offering five-second clips at 1080p resolution with subscription tiers starting at $9.99. Canva's Veo 3-powered feature, released in June, enables users to create eight-second video clips with sound. While Sora and Firefly focus on video, Nano Banana's edge lies in advanced photo editing, 3D object manipulation, and multi-image fusion -- areas Google hopes will differentiate it in a fast-moving generative AI market. Also Read: India big market for Canva; looking to build local team there: CEO Melanie Perkins

How to turn yourself into an action figure or travel through decades; Google's Nano Banana becomes a global sensation with viral AI image prompts, here are the top 5 prompts

Google's Gemini app has recently introduced "Nano Banana," an advanced AI image editing tool. This feature has rapidly gained popularity, amassing over 10 million downloads within days of its launch and facilitating the creation or modification of over 200 million images. Nano Banana is a state-of-the-art image generation and editing model integrated into Google's Gemini app. It allows users to manipulate photos using simple text prompts, enabling transformations such as: The tool excels at maintaining character consistency across edits, preserving facial features and characteristics. According to experts, Nano Banana's speed and accuracy give it an edge over rivals such as ChatGPT and MidJourney. The feature has sparked a wave of viral trends worldwide, with users experimenting with creative prompts that showcase the model's versatility. Users can upload a photo and ask Gemini to create a collectible action figure of themselves, complete with packaging, graphics, and a realistic store-shelf display. This trend has gone viral on social media, with feeds showing action figure avatars placed on desks, tables, or shelves. Example prompt: "Take photo of me and turn me into a collectible figurine inside a toy box. Include a clear plastic window, bold graphics, and my name on the packaging. Make the figurine active and toy-like while keeping my likeness recognizable." This trend lets users see themselves in past eras. Popular options include a 1970s disco dancer, or a 1990s sitcom character. The AI adjusts clothing, hairstyles, and backgrounds to match the chosen decade accurately. Example prompt: "Transform me into a 1980s character wearing neon clothes, with big hair, standing in an arcade. Make it look like a real portrait from that decade with authentic fashion and colors." Gemini gives users the ability to insert themselves into legendary sitcoms and dramas. A standout example is appearing as part of the Seinfeld cast, casually hanging out on Jerry's couch with the gang. Since users can choose any show, this prompt offers endless creative possibilities. Example prompt: "Generate a realistic image of me sitting with Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer in Jerry's apartment from Seinfeld. Place me on the couch, laughing with the group, in the authentic 1990s style of the show." Users can be added to world-famous paintings, such as the Mona Lisa, Van Gogh's Starry Night, or Dalí's surreal The Persistence of Memory. The AI ensures the user blends naturally with the artwork's style. Example prompt : "Place me inside Van Gogh's Starry Night. Paint me in the same swirling brushstroke style, standing under the starry sky so I blend seamlessly into the scene." From the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, or the Hollywood Sign, users are generating realistic images of themselves at famous landmarks. The AI maintains accurate lighting, shadows, and perspective for authenticity. Example prompt: "Take this photo of me and place me sitting on top of the Hollywood Sign, waving at the city below. Make it look realistic, with correct lighting, shadows, and perspective." Nano Banana's viral prompts are redefining how people experiment with AI creativity. From turning into action figures and traveling through decades to stepping into beloved TV shows, classic artworks, and world landmarks, the tool makes imagination feel limitless.

Nano Banana: The Viral AI Trend Turning Photos into 3D Figurines

The AI image editing tool generates accurate 3D models of figurines, available for instant download or sharing. To date, it has generated over 200 million creations, reflecting the growing popularity. The Nano Banana trend has become incredibly successful for several reasons. First and foremost, it is one of the most creative and customizable platforms available. Users can transform themselves into action figures, place their images in famous paintings, and even imagine their likenesses in different historical time periods. Secondly, anyone can use the Gemini app; it is relatively simple to use and offers an interface that most people can navigate without prior technical knowledge. Additionally, AI-generated imagery is easy to share and has significantly fueled social media chatter. These images can be easily posted or reshared on platforms such as , X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit. Finally, the trend taps into popular culture and personal interests, allowing users to create figurines of pets, celebrities, or iconic fictional characters. It also lets them bring to life notable characters from movies, TV shows, celebrities, or fictional worlds. This attracts a broad audience and consistently high engagement from users.