Apple revamps Image Playground with photorealistic generation and new editing tools

Apple has announced a major overhaul of Image Playground, introducing a new generative model capable of creating photorealistic images as well as expanded editing and sharing capabilities.

The updated app is powered by a new generative model that runs on Private Cloud Compute, allowing it to produce high-quality images in virtually any style, including photorealistic output for the first time. All generated images will automatically carry a hidden SynthID watermark to identify them as AI-generated.

‌Image Playground‌ now supports photo-based editing in addition to creative. Users can outline changes they want to make to an existing image or use touch gestures such as tap, circle, or brush to highlight specific objects and move or resize them. Photos can also be transformed into different styles using a text description, and people from a user’s photo library can be included in the generated images.

The experience extends further into iOS with new output destinations. In addition to messages, generated images can now be used as lock screen wallpapers and contact posters. Users can also choose an aspect ratio when creating images, such as landscape for a website header or portrait for a flyer.

Developers will have access to the new features through the ‌Image Playground‌ API, allowing third-party apps to directly integrate photorealistic generation and editing features.