Google Gemini’s Nano Banana image editor has gone viral, boosting the app past ChatGPT on global charts as users flock to create lifelike AI figurines and playful photo edits. (Source: Image by RR)

Google Implements Temporary Limits to Manage Overwhelming Demand

Google Gemini has surged past ChatGPT on multiple global app store charts, fueled by its new Nano Banana image editor and a viral trend of creating lifelike AI figurines. Launched in late August, Nano Banana allows users to transform photos directly in the Gemini app—redecorating rooms, altering hairstyles, dressing pets in costumes, or aging their selfies. By re-uploading edited images, users can even generate playful videos of their creations, making the feature both versatile and addictive.

In just two weeks since launch, Gemini vice president Josh Woodward reported that 23 million new users joined the app and transformed more than 500 million images. The overwhelming demand pushed Gemini to the number-one iPhone app position in the US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, and Italy, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Woodward, as noted in theverge.com, admitted that Google had to impose temporary limits on usage to manage server strain, calling the influx “a full-on stampede” and praising his team’s efforts to keep the system running smoothly.

The viral centerpiece of Nano Banana’s popularity has been its ability to turn ordinary photos into stunning 3D figurines. With a single prompt, users can create realistic desktop dolls of themselves—complete with packaging and wire-frame models in the background. These easily shared prompts have spread rapidly on social media, with Google even offering its own templates to keep the trend alive. The simplicity and speed of Nano Banana’s editing capabilities have helped cement its popularity, especially compared to slower or less reliable competitors.

While Nano Banana isn’t flawless—some prompts are ignored or produce unexpected results—users have praised its accuracy in preserving facial features and delivering recognizable likenesses. For many, the charm of seeing a miniature, AI-generated version of themselves outweighs occasional misfires. Google’s viral moment with Gemini highlights how a well-timed feature and cultural trend can shift momentum in the competitive AI app space, giving the search giant a moment in the spotlight as it continues to battle OpenAI for dominance in generative AI tools.

read more at theverge.com