Adobe's Indigo Camera App Adds Generative AI Editing Tools

Adobe's Indigo camera app is shifting strategy. The iPhone tool, which debuted last year as a computational photography platform aimed at replicating the visual quality of professional SLR cameras, is now integrating generative AI capabilities designed to augment and transform captured images.

What's New in the AI Playground Update#

The latest version of Indigo introduces the "AI Playground" — a collection of AI-powered editing features now available to a test group of users. The suite includes four main toolsets:

• Styles: Applies AI-generated filter presets that transform photos into illustrations, adjust lighting, or alter overall aesthetic
• Object Editing: Removes unwanted people, objects, and distractions from images using generative fill to reconstruct backgrounds
• Photo Guidance: Analyzes photos and suggests composition improvements or reshoot opportunities
• Custom Edit: Allows freeform text prompts for more granular image manipulation

Adobe is initially relying on Google's Nano Banana AI model to power these features, though the company indicates it may expand to additional models. Users can rerun edits multiple times to get varied results, and there's an opt-out button for those who prefer the original experience.

How It's Being Tested#

The company is rolling out free access to the AI Playground with no login requirement, testing it with a subset of Indigo users over the coming weeks. Adobe fellow Marc Levoy noted in the announcement that the goal is to understand user behavior with generative AI editing tools, with plans to potentially expand the test, introduce a paid tier, or pursue additional experiments depending on the results.

The Pivot from Original Vision#

This update represents a notable departure from Indigo's launch positioning. The app initially earned praise as a "camera app built by camera nerds for camera nerds," emphasizing computational photography, manual controls for focus and ISO, and the ability to achieve high-quality mobile captures. However, Levoy suggested from the start that the app was envisioned as "the beginning of a journey" toward a unified mobile experience combining photography and AI-assisted editing.