This Pixel 9 feature will change the way you take holiday photos

Holiday photos capture some of our most cherished memories, but there’s always that one person missing from the group shot — the photographer.

However, that problem might become a thing of the past on the newly unveiled Pixel 9 series. With Google’s brand-new ‘Add Me’ feature, you can now take the picture and also be in it. How? Using AI, of course!

Imagine you’re on a trip with friends, and it’s your turn to take the group photo. On the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL or 9 Pro Fold, you can finally be in that picture without awkwardly stretching your arm for a selfie or relying on a stranger to snap the shot.

Here’s how ‘Add Me’ works: You start by taking a photo of your friends or family in front of a scenic background, just like you normally would.

The Pixel 9 phones then overlay a ghost-like image of your friends from the first shot (using augmented reality), helping to perfectly align the second picture. Once both photos are taken, the AI seamlessly stitches them together, making it appear as if everyone was in the shot together all along.

What’s really interesting about this feature is that it doesn’t seem like just a minor enhancement; it actually might be a significant leap in photo editing technology.

Google has shown off technically impressive AI photo editing features in the past, including Magic Eraser and Best Take, which allows users to remove unwanted elements or make sure everyone looks their best in group photos. ‘Add Me’, however, takes this to a new level by adding someone into a photo who wasn’t even there initially.

As expected, that’s far from the only new AI feature on the Pixel 9 series. For example, the Gemini assistant can generate recipes based on a picture of your fridge, while ‘Pixel Screenshots’ helps you search through your screenshots using AI.

The ‘Add Me’ feature will be available in preview on the Pixel 9 series at launch. Google hasn’t revealed when the full version might be available, or if it will be rolled out to older devices.

Additionally, it might not be compatible with all camera modes and apps, but the potential it offers is undoubtedly exciting.

Learn more about the new phones and all of their features in our guides to the Pixel 9 series and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google has also unveiled the Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds.