HONOR Unveils AI-Powered Photo Tools in Collaboration with Google Cloud

Honor's using AI to make your smartphone photos even better... and bigger

Honor has announced a bunch of AI-powered updates as part of a partnership with Google Cloud. The highlights include AI Outpainting, an AI eraser, and a teaser about its upcoming product line that's set to launch next month. Of all the announcements, AI Outpainting seems like the biggest deal. This is a tool that's similar to Photoshop's Generative Expand, and it should make framing your photos the correct way a less stressful affair, all because AI can always fill in the blanks. Recommended Videos The company hasn't shared too much about Outpainting or how it'll work, but here's what we know. AI Outpainting arrives as part of Honor's AiMAGE suite, and it relies on Google's Imagen model to work. It lets you zoom out and expand your photo until it's up to twice the original size. You can also reframe and rotate your photo without losing anything; AI will fill in the blanks that might appear while you do that. Honor's Eric Fang had this to say on AI Outpainting: "It's a game-changer. It allows users to focus on capturing the decisive moment without worrying about perfect framing. The optimized generative fill ensures that the expanded images are seamlessly integrated, even in complex scenes like buildings and landscapes." AI Eraser marks the second tool in Honor's new AI-powered arsenal. We've seen this tool in many of the best smartphones before, so it doesn't need much of an introduction. It lets you remove unwanted objects by circling them or tapping them, and Honor's AI tool will then fill in the blank area with something that fits. Honor has also teased that its upcoming products will lean even more heavily into AI, all thanks to that Google Cloud collaboration. The new lineup, set to launch in May 2025, leverages Google Veo, which is Google's video generation tool. It's unclear what exactly this partnership will entail, but Honor promises that it'll interpret user commands and generate videos that "represent their creative vision."

HONOR introduces AI-powered photo tools at Cloud Next 2025

HONOR shared updates on its collaboration with Google Cloud at Cloud Next 2025 last week, focusing on AI advancements for smartphones. Eric Fang, Senior Director of Product Planning at HONOR, said the partnership has delivered features like Magic Portal 2.0. Now, using Google's Gemini large language models, the collaboration is exploring new AI tools to enhance user experiences. In March, HONOR announced its ALPHA PLAN, aiming to become a global leader in AI device ecosystems. Fang noted that Google Cloud's AI infrastructure and expertise are key to this goal, enabling smarter smartphones with advanced capabilities, especially in imaging. HONOR said it works with partners like Google Cloud to push technological boundaries and create a new standard for AI devices. This partnership is a critical step in achieving the ALPHA PLAN's vision. AI Outpainting: Expanding Photos During the panel discussion, Fang presented AI Outpainting, a feature from HONOR's AiMAGE suite, which is powered by Google's Imagen model. The feature allows users to zoom out or expand photos up to twice their original size after capture. Users can also reframe or rotate images without needing precise framing during the shot. Eric Fang referred to AI Outpainting as "a game-changer," highlighting that it allows users to "focus on capturing the key moment without worrying about perfect framing." He further explained that the optimized generative fill ensures the expanded images integrate seamlessly, even in intricate scenes like buildings and landscapes. AI Eraser: Simplified Photo Editing HONOR also highlighted AI Eraser, a tool that lets users remove unwanted objects from photos with a few taps. Using Google's Imagen technology, it fills removed areas with realistic, contextually appropriate content, reducing AI errors like hallucinations. Fang added that this makes photo editing effortless and reliable. HONOR reiterated its goal of expanding AI access across its product lineup. As part of this effort, the HONOR 400 Lite -- recently introduced in Europe -- features tools like AI Outpainting, AI Eraser, and AI Upscale, offering high-end capabilities on more affordable devices. The company said it leverages Google Cloud's infrastructure to ensure users worldwide can benefit from these features in their daily tasks. Eric Fang also hinted at upcoming products set to launch in May 2025, which will feature advanced AI capabilities. Using Google's Veo, a state-of-the-art video generation tool, these devices will create videos with enhanced realism and accurate motion based on user commands. Fang believes this will unlock new possibilities for creative expression. Additionally, HONOR is collaborating with Google Gemini to develop advanced office tools for these devices, designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity with intelligent assistance. HONOR's work with Google Cloud underscores its commitment to building intuitive devices that meet user needs through AI. The partnership combines HONOR's device expertise with Google's AI technology to deliver practical tools. Fang said this approach reflects HONOR's vision for the future of mobile technology, where devices anticipate and simplify user tasks. At the event, Eric Fang, Senior Director of Product Planning at HONOR, said,