Google Vids Launches Free AI Video Generation with Gemini Omni
In brief
- Google Vids launches free HD video generation powered by Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash for all account holders.
- Early testing revealed 720p output, despite Google's advertised 1080p capability and full HD generation claims.
- New features include scene extension, duration controls, and SynthID watermarking for AI-generated video identification.
- Video generation completes in under 30 seconds; personal accounts receive standard allowance, paid plans offer larger pools.
- OpenAI discontinued consumer Sora 2 in April 2026; Google cut API pricing for Veo 3.1 Lite same month.
How It Works
Users can access Google Vids by visiting vids.new and signing in with any Google account. Google advertises 1080p capability, but Decrypt's testing found only 720p output, suggesting the higher resolution may be rolling out gradually, subject to account-type limitations, or dependent on browser and device factors. Users should expect 720p until Google confirms broader 1080p availability.
The generation process takes approximately less than 30 seconds per clip. Personal Google accounts receive a standard free generation allowance, while paid AI plans and Workspace subscribers unlock larger generation pools.
New Capabilities
Google added several controls to streamline video production. Scene extension lets users lengthen a clip while keeping the lighting, characters, and setting consistent, rather than regenerating from scratch. Users can also set an exact scene duration so a clip lines up with a script or voiceover.
The tool supports upscaling older, lower-resolution AI clips up to 1080p instead of regenerating them. This saves generation credits and accelerates production workflows for creators already using Google Vids.
Watermarking and Detection
Every video produced by Google Vids carries SynthID, a Google DeepMind watermark that is invisible to the eye but readable by machines. Anyone can check whether a clip was AI-made by running it through Google's SynthID Detector, a separate tool built to identify synthetic video.
The timing of Google's free launch coincides with significant moves in the AI video space. OpenAI shut down the consumer Sora 2 app and website in April 2026, with its developer API going dark on the same day as Google's free Vids rollout. Google recently cut the API rate for its Veo 3.1 Lite model to $0.05 per second, signaling aggressive pricing competition in the space.
Gemini Omni first launched in May 2026 as a paid feature for Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers. The free rollout represents a shift toward consumer accessibility. Google says a companion feature, Gemini 3.8 Flash-Lite text-to-speech, is coming next to convert written scripts into voiceover narration in more than 100 languages.
