I tested Google’s ‘Add Me’ tool, which uses AI to help you crash group photos — with hilarious results
Every family and group of friends has one person who is always the designated photographer.
If this applies to you, you’ll be happy to hear that the days of not being able to be in group photos are finally a thing of the past.
Google’s Pixel 9 smartphones went on sale this week, and there’s a new tool people are dying to try out: Add Me.
As the name suggests, Add Me allows photographers to add themselves to group photos using artificial intelligence (AI).
In preparation for tomorrow’s launch, Google sent the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL to MailOnline’s Shivali Best to try out Add Me for herself – with hilarious results.
Ahead of the Pixel 9’s release tomorrow, Google sent MailOnline’s Shivali Best the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL so she could try out Add Me for herself – with hilarious results
After months of anticipation, Google finally introduced four new smartphones to the world last week: the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
These devices are packed with powerful AI capabilities, with Google claiming it has “rebuilt the operating system with AI at its core.”
Before the device goes on sale tomorrow, Google kindly sent me the Pixel 9 Pro XL to try out.
When the phone arrived at the office, I was immediately captivated by the beautiful color of rose quartz.
There was only one thing I really wanted to try out, though: the new Add Me tool.
“With Add Me, you can seamlessly merge two photos into one beautiful image,” Google explained when it announced the feature.
‘It combines lifelike photography with the power of AI and augmented reality, so everyone who was there can be in your photos.’
To put Add Me to the test, I headed to a nearby spot that I knew would be packed with tourists taking group photos and selfies: Kensington Palace.
When I tried to explain the story to the first few groups of tourists, they looked at me as if I had lost the thread, which was understandable.
Eventually, however, I found a friendly American couple who were willing to be my subjects.
Add Me is built into the Pixel 9 Pro XL and can be quickly accessed by opening the camera app and swiping through the settings at the bottom of the screen
Add Me is built into the Pixel 9 Pro XL and can be quickly accessed by opening the camera app and swiping through the settings at the bottom of the screen.
When I was at Add Me, a cartoon pop-up appeared explaining how to use the tool.
“Photographer 1. Leave space for yourself. Take the first photo,” Google told me.
As instructed, I positioned my willing subjects in front of Kensington Palace with a Shivali-shaped room next to them. Then I yelled “cheese!” and pressed the shutter.
The long wait for Google fans is over as the tech giant unveils four new phones, including the highly anticipated Pixel 9 Pro Fold
| Function | Pixel 9 Pro | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3 inch | 6.8 inch |
| Battery | 4700mAh | 5060 mAh |
| Rear view cameras | 50MP wide-angle camera48MP Quad PD ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus48MP Quad PD telephoto camera | 50MP wide-angle camera48MP Quad PD ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus48MP Quad PD telephoto camera |
| Front camera | 42 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus | 42 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus |
| To colour | Obsidian Porcelain Hazelnut Rose Quartz | Obsidian Porcelain Hazelnut Rose Quartz |
| Price | €999 | €1,099 |
The instructions in the cartoon appeared again, telling me, Photographer 1, to drop off the Pixel and get to the scene.
The couple, now dubbed “Photographer 2” by Google, swapped positions, with the lady taking the Pixel from me as I came into frame.
The lady told me where to stand based on the instructions in the viewfinder. She advised me to take a step back so I wouldn’t look like a giant compared to them.
As I gave her my best smile and a thumbs up, she pressed the shutter.
Within seconds, Google’s AI went to work, combining the couple’s photo with my awkward snap from the third wheel.
Although the final photo is not perfect, you still have to study it quite closely to see the flaws.
In the time between the two photos, the light must have changed subtly. If you look closely at my legs, you can see that the ground around them is a slightly different color.
And despite the great effort the lady made to position me, I was still standing a little too close to the camera, which makes me look a little too tall in the final photo.
Overall, I can say that my first attempt with Add Me did not go smoothly.
But considering I tested it with complete strangers who had never heard of the tool, the final image is pretty impressive.
Since I am often the designated photographer, Add Me will definitely become an indispensable tool at bachelorette parties, weddings and family gatherings in the future!