The Google Pixel 9 Pro’s ‘Add Me’ Feature: A Test Drive Reveals Its Cleverness

At this year’s Made by Google event, I had the opportunity to try out the new Pixel 9 flagship smartphone, and one standout feature that caught my attention was "Add Me." This innovative function aims to tackle a longstanding dilemma in digital photography: how to ensure everyone is included in group shots.

Typically, when taking a group photo, someone is bound to be left out. You face a choice: either awkwardly ask a stranger to take the picture, which can often result in a subpar shot, or resort to a selfie, which usually depends on the person with the longest arms to fit everyone in. The "Add Me" feature offers a solution by using AI to blend two photos together seamlessly, ensuring no one gets left out of the final image.

The process is straightforward. First, you take a standard group photo, leaving an empty space for the person who will be added later. After capturing the group shot, everyone steps aside, and you take a second photo of the individual in the designated spot, mimicking where they would have stood in the first picture. The Add Me feature then automatically merges these two images into one cohesive photo, allowing you to share a complete group shot without any tedious editing. However, while the concept is simple, there are some important considerations for achieving the best results. During my demo, I quickly realized that it’s crucial to take both photos from the exact same position. The Pixel 9 includes on-screen indicators to assist with this, helping users align their shots correctly.

There is a learning curve, though. For example, when testing the feature, we encountered issues because the phone was held in different orientations for each photo, which caused discrepancies in the positioning of the images. Additionally, it’s important to have a static background for optimal results. Since the feature merges two photos, any significant movement or changes in the background—like a busy street or a crowd—can confuse the AI, making it harder to identify which elements should be included in the final image.

As I thought about the precision required for this feature, I questioned whether it would be user-friendly enough for everyone, particularly for family members who might not be as tech-savvy. It may take some practice for users, like my mom, to master the necessary accuracy on the first try. Once I have a chance to conduct full reviews of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, I plan to test this AI feature in various settings to see how well it performs, especially in challenging environments. I’m interested in assessing how effectively it can manage complex backgrounds and how adaptable its AI functionality is to less-than-perfect photo-taking situations.

Overall, while the Add Me feature requires some user input and precision, it represents an ambitious and practical attempt to solve a common photography challenge that many people encounter. With time and user feedback, Google is likely to refine and improve this feature, making it an even more valuable tool for capturing memories with friends and family.