Google unveiled two new AI models on June 30 (local time): “Nano Banana 2 Lite,” the latest addition to its Nano Banana image generation series, and “Gemini Omni Flash,” a new model designed for video generation and editing. Both became available to developers immediately, signaling a major push to accelerate creative production while slashing costs.

Nano Banana 2 Lite is positioned as the fastest and most cost-effective product in Google’s image generation model lineup. The company claims it can generate images from text in just 4 seconds, with aggressive pricing set at $0.034 per image at 1K resolution. Google describes the model as ideal for rapid ideation and high-frequency workflows requiring the continuous generation of large volumes of images. Its technical designation is “Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image,” and it serves as a lightweight version of the general-purpose “Nano Banana 2” model released in February.

With this launch, Google’s image generation portfolio is now organized into a three-tier structure: “Nano Banana Pro,” “Nano Banana 2,” and “Nano Banana 2 Lite.” The top-tier Nano Banana Pro targets complex, specialized use cases; the mid-range Nano Banana 2 serves as a general-purpose core model; and the newly introduced Nano Banana 2 Lite pursues maximum speed and minimum cost. The original “Nano Banana” is now classified as a legacy model, and Google is recommending that its users migrate to Nano Banana 2 Lite.

Nano Banana 2 Lite is accessible through Google AI Studio, the Gemini API, and the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. It will also be progressively rolled out across Google’s consumer-facing products, including the “AI Mode” in Search, the Gemini app, NotebookLM, Google Photos, and Google Ads. Images generated by the model will be embedded with SynthID, a digital watermarking technology that identifies AI-generated content.

Meanwhile, Gemini Omni Flash, which also became available to developers on the same day, is a high-quality, low-cost video generation model built on the “Gemini Omni” foundation announced at Google I/O 2026. Its standout feature is the ability not only to generate video from combined text, image, and video inputs but also to support conversational video editing using natural language. Pricing is set at $0.10 per second of video, matching the rate for Google’s existing video generation model, “Veo 3.1 Fast.” It currently supports generating videos up to 10 seconds in length, with plans to accommodate longer videos in the future. It is also available through the Gemini app and the video creation tool “Google Flow.”

Google explained the distinction between the two models, noting that while Veo 3.1 excels at generating one-off, high-quality clips, Gemini Omni Flash focuses on iterative, conversational editing that combines multiple assets such as images and video. The company appears to be positioning the two models for different use cases.

Google also showcased specific ways to combine Nano Banana 2 Lite and Gemini Omni Flash. For instance, images generated by the former can be passed to the latter to create video, and the “Interactions API” enables up to three consecutive editing rounds while preserving session history. Demo applications combining both models were also unveiled, including “Anywhere,” which composites user photos into famous tourist destinations worldwide and converts them into video, and “Space Lift,” which generates interior design concepts from room photos and allows users to review them as video.

Alongside these announcements, Google revealed that the Nano Banana-powered personalized image generation feature in the Gemini app is now available for free to all users in the United States. Previously, this feature was exclusive to paid subscribers on Plus, Pro, and Ultra plans, but the rollout now dramatically expands access. The feature automatically generates images reflecting individual preferences based on information users have permitted access to from Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Search. Users can obtain personalized images with simple prompts like “an illustration including myself and my hobbies” without needing to write detailed instructions.

According to TechCrunch, Google recently signed a major $75 million (approximately ¥12 billion) deal with popular indie studio A24, though the partnership has drawn significant criticism from some fans. Even as concerns persist that AI-generated images and video will fuel a flood of low-quality content derided as “AI slop,” corporate investment continues to accelerate. Gemini’s monthly active users have already surpassed 750 million this year, underscoring Google’s increasingly unshakable presence in the AI market.

In its official blog, Google stated: “Developing with generative media is often centered on creative iteration. With these two models, developers can build comprehensive, end-to-end multimedia experiences that connect rapid image generation with video creation and editing.”