New Tool Builds on Gemini 3 Pro Momentum
Google expanded its AI portfolio on Thursday with the launch of Nano Banana Pro, a more advanced version of its viral image generation and editing tool. The release comes just days after the introduction of Gemini 3 Pro, which helped push Alphabet shares up 4 percent and to new record highs.
Josh Woodward, vice president of Google Labs and Gemini, explained that Nano Banana Pro is significantly more capable than the earlier version released in August. The tool can create infographics, assemble slide decks, maintain visual consistency across multiple characters, and process up to 14 images at once.
Internal teams have already tested creative uses, from generating visuals based on code snippets to turning LinkedIn resumes into graphic summaries. Woodward said users are discovering that the tool can visually express information that was never considered suitable for graphics before.
Origins of a Viral Hit
The original Nano Banana made headlines after social media users transformed photos of themselves and pets into hyperrealistic 3D figurines. According to Woodward, the initial release brought 13 million new users to the Gemini app within just four days, contributing to Google’s rapid growth in consumer AI.
Nano Banana Pro is now live in the Gemini app with limited free usage and is also available through NotebookLM and Google’s developer, enterprise, and advertising suites. Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will gain access through AI Mode in Search, while Flow, the company’s AI filmmaking product, will add the feature for Ultra users in a later rollout.
New Capabilities and AI Watermarking
Google added another feature alongside Nano Banana Pro: users can upload any image to check whether it was generated by Google AI. Images created using free Nano Banana accounts will receive a watermark, which is removed for Ultra tier subscribers.
These updates come as Google continues competing with OpenAI, which last week introduced enhancements to GPT 5 designed to make the model more conversational and efficient. ChatGPT currently leads Apple’s App Store rankings for free apps, with Gemini taking the second spot.
Rising User Demand and Continued Expansion
Google said the Gemini app has surpassed 650 million monthly active users, while Gemini powered AI Overviews reach two billion monthly users. By comparison, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reported in October that ChatGPT had reached 800 million weekly active users.
According to Woodward, user demand for Google’s AI tools continues to rise, especially among paying subscribers who want higher usage limits and access to advanced models. He described the surge in adoption as a positive challenge: “There’s a lot of demand, and we’re trying to figure out how to serve it.”
Looking ahead, Google plans to scale its AI ecosystem further. Woodward highlighted Flow, the AI assisted filmmaking platform, and Genie, a world building model currently in limited research preview, as key elements of the company’s next phase.