Google is testing a new Artificial Intelligence feature within its Maps application that could allow users to apply artistic visual styles to Street View imagery. The experimental tool, internally referred to as “Nano Banana,” was identified in a recent code analysis of the Google Maps application.
Details of the Experiment
The feature appears to be in an early development phase and is not yet available to the public. Code strings discovered within the app suggest the AI would enable a form of image restyling, transforming standard photographic Street View scenes with various artistic filters. The discovery was made by researchers examining the latest version of the Google Maps application for Android.
Google has not made an official announcement regarding Nano Banana. The company frequently tests new features and experimental technologies within its products before deciding on a wider release. Such tests are often hidden within application code and activated for a limited group of testers or employees.
Potential Functionality and Precedents
If released, the technology would represent a significant expansion of Street View’s capabilities beyond navigation and exploration. Traditionally, Street View provides 360-degree panoramic imagery captured by specialized cameras on vehicles, trekkers, and boats. The addition of AI-driven artistic filters could shift its utility toward creative and recreational uses.
This development follows a broader industry trend of integrating Generative AI and neural style transfer into consumer applications. Similar technology has been used in other photo editing tools and social media platforms to apply the visual characteristics of famous art styles or specific aesthetics to user images. Implementing such features in a live, globe-spanning platform like Street View presents unique technical challenges.
Technical and Practical Considerations
Applying consistent artistic filters to the vast, interconnected library of Street View imagery requires robust AI models capable of processing complex visual data in real time. The system would need to maintain geometric consistency across 360-degree views and handle diverse lighting conditions, weather, and landscapes found worldwide.
Analysts note that features like Nano Banana could enhance user engagement with Google Maps, a platform that serves over one billion people monthly. By adding a creative layer, Google may aim to increase the time users spend within the app beyond direct navigation tasks. However, any such feature would need to preserve the clarity and accuracy of underlying map data, which remains the service’s primary function.
Next Steps and Availability
There is no confirmed timeline for a public release of the artistic Street View feature. The next steps will likely involve further internal testing and refinement based on feedback from Google’s early access programs. The company typically rolls out new Maps features gradually across different regions and platforms.
Industry observers will monitor future updates to the Google Maps application for any official enablement of the Nano Banana feature. Its development underscores the ongoing integration of advanced AI into everyday digital tools, transforming how users interact with familiar platforms.
Source: Code analysis reports
