Apple's foray into AI-powered photo editing with its new 'Clean Up' tool in iOS 18 beta reveals the tech giant still has ground to cover in matching competitors like Google's Magic Eraser.
The latest iOS 18.1 developer beta 3 introduces 'Clean Up', an AI-driven feature designed to remove unwanted elements from photos. While it marks a significant step for Apple in the realm of intelligent image editing, early tests suggest the tool may not yet be ready for prime time.
Key points about Apple's Clean Up tool:
- Available in the Photos app for devices supporting Apple Intelligence
- Aims to remove distracting objects, strangers, and blemishes from images
- Offers manual selection options alongside AI-powered suggestions
- Works on all images, regardless of the capture device
However, the feature's performance appears to be inconsistent:
- Object Removal: Clean Up shows promise in isolating and removing selected objects.
- Background Reconstruction: The tool struggles to convincingly fill in areas where objects have been removed, often producing noticeable artifacts.
- On-Device Processing: Unlike Google's cloud-based solution, Apple's Clean Up operates entirely on-device, potentially limiting its capabilities but enhancing privacy.
In comparison, Google's Magic Eraser and Magic Editor tools currently offer:
- More convincing object removal and background reconstruction
- Multiple AI-generated results for users to choose from
- Years of development and refinement
It's important to note that Clean Up is still in beta, and significant improvements may come before its public release. Some reports suggest Apple may even label it as a 'beta' feature within the Photos app initially.
The development of Clean Up aligns with Apple's broader push into AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. While the company prioritizes on-device processing for enhanced privacy, this approach may present challenges in matching the capabilities of cloud-based competitors.
As Apple continues to refine its AI offerings, users and industry watchers will be keen to see if the company can close the gap with rivals while maintaining its commitment to privacy. The coming months will likely reveal whether Clean Up and other Apple Intelligence features can evolve to meet the high expectations set by competitors in the AI space.
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| An example of a digital interface showcasing a photo editing tool, highlighting the functionality of removing unwanted elements from images |