Google’s Gemini chatbot could soon receive AI video creation capabilities that will allow it to generate not only pictures, but also short video clips based on the user’s text descriptions. Now, according to a new report from Android Authority, we know more about how this feature might work, and some possible limitations, as Google’s experimental feature approaches release.
As discovered by Android app investigator AssembleDebug, the latest version of the Google app on Android contains new references to unreleased Gemini-powered video generation features under the codename “Toucan.”
Further entries in the code provide several clues as to how the features may function, including hints that, for some users, there may be limits on how many videos can be generated daily. The code also reveals that each video should take “1-2 mins” to generate, implying that significant computing power will be required to create them.
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Relevant text strings found within the Google app’s code include:
- “Get high-quality ones from text with Toucan, Gemini’s new experimental model for generation. Just describe your idea and Toucan can generate a new one each time you ask”
- “Creating your Toucan…”
- “This can take 1-2 mins”
- “You’ve reached your Toucan generation limit until tomorrow”
Google’s AI Video Generator: How It Might Work
Interestingly, the text above refers to a “Toucan” as a thing you can create, suggesting that it might be a particular kind of AI-generated video-based creation rather than the output of a general-purpose AI video generation tool. It also implies that the app will only generate Toucans from text-based inputs rather than creating them from other inputs such as still images or videos.
The fact that daily limits appear to be in place opens the door for Google to offer different experiences for paid users of Gemini Advanced or even the ability to purchase credits for additional generations. AI Video generation is expensive, and most currently available options, such as Kling or Hailuo AI, operate with a paid subscription or pay-as-you-go credit arrangement, often with a small number of free generations allowed in a particular period.
Google has yet to announce the Toucan video generation feature, so we’ll have to wait and see when, or even if, it will be released to users. However, evidence of continued development is a good sign that it will roll out soon.
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