AI-based image generation has been around for a while now. But Google took things up a notch with the introduction of the viral Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) model, as evidenced by its popularity following the late August release. This powerful image generation/editing model is now gradually making its way to Google’s other services, such as Lens and AI Mode.
Of the two Google products, the Lens app gains a stronger integration with the Nano Banana model, according to 9to5Google. When the change is live, users will find a brand new Create tab in the bottom row, slotting in as the fourth tab after Search, Translate, and Live.
Current (image 1) vs upcoming
Users are greeted with a large Capture, Create, Share welcome message in the Create tab. Google is also going all in on the banana emoji, which is reflected on the Create tab’s icon (and the camera shutter). This should make it instantly recognizable for people acquainted with Nano Banana’s capabilities.
The camera in the Create tab defaults to the selfie view, with a camera switcher also provided to change views. Capturing an image opens it in AI Mode’s prompt box, where you can type instructions for image generation or edits. Another visual change sees the icons for each bottom bar tab moving above the text, thereby making better use of the space.
Google is going bananas with this new model
Current (image 1) vs upcoming
The Nano Bana integration in AI Mode is more subtle by comparison. A new ‘+’ menu is now available in the bottom left of the prompt box. This menu houses the existing Gallery option, while also adding Camera and Create images to the list.
Users will find a banana emoji next to Create images, so there’s ambiguity about what it can do. Choosing this option will let you type what you want to see, with the prompt box changing its text to “Describe your image” from the default “Ask anything.” You can generate an image from scratch or make edits to existing photos using Create images.
9to5Google notes that they’re seeing these integrations on an account signed up for the AI Mode Search Labs experiment in the US. However, it’s unclear when Google plans to make it more widely available.
These are not the only services that will see Nano Banana integration, as a recent report indicated that the image generation model could also find a home in Google Photos.
