artistic styles Archives

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

Minecraft challenge breathes new life into rich cultural past

A young gamer named Qiu Zekai, known as Qiuxiaoniuer, has recreated part of the destroyed Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) in Minecraft, digitally repatriating the looted 12 zodiac bronze animal heads. His video has received millions of views, prompting discussions about "cyber reunion" and national pride. The zodiac bronzes were originally part of a fountain at the Qing Dynasty royal resort, which was looted during the Second Opium War in 1860. Only seven of the bronzes have been returned. Qiu spent two months on this project, which is part of a larger Minecraft building relay challenge that has amassed over 300 million views and showcases Chinese cultural architecture. Other participants have created significant structures, including a miniature Forbidden City and a floating palace inspired by Dunhuang art. The relay has become a cultural dialogue, connecting younger generations with their heritage through gaming.

Winsage

October 26, 2025

Great, now even Microsoft Paint can make AI slop

MS Paint has introduced a new feature called Restyle, currently being rolled out for Windows Insiders in Paint version 11.2509.441.0. This feature allows users to apply preset artistic styles to existing images, accessible through Paint's Copilot menu. Users can either incorporate the generated images into their Paint canvas or save them as separate files. Restyle is designed to transform images sourced from the internet, raising ethical questions about image appropriation. The feature will only be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs.

Winsage

October 23, 2025

Microsoft Paint’s new update can turn your doodles into masterpieces

Microsoft is enhancing its Paint application by introducing the Restyle feature, which uses AI through Copilot to allow users to apply various artistic styles to their images. Users can select an image, choose a style from a curated list, and generate a transformed version of their artwork. To access this feature, users must be part of the Windows Insider program, have a device with a Copilot+ Snapdragon chip, and be signed in with a Microsoft account. The feature is currently available for eligible users.

AppWizard

October 14, 2025

Google’s Nano Banana AI image tool is taking over your favorite apps

NotebookLM allows users to generate visuals in six styles, including Watercolor and Anime, and convert notes into narrated video summaries. Google is evolving Search and Google Lens with a new Create mode for instant editing using Nano Banana. Integration with Google Photos is forthcoming for AI-powered edits. Nano Banana, initially part of the Gemini framework, is expanding into consumer applications, enhancing image generation and editing capabilities. It can modify backgrounds, adjust styles, merge images, and create custom illustrations from text. Each output includes watermarks for identification. Since its launch in 2025, Nano Banana has attracted over 10 million new users to the Gemini platform.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

Nintendo Direct reveals Minecraft and Animal Crossing style Pokemon Pokopia game

Pokémon Pokopia is a new spin-off game announced during the latest Nintendo Direct, set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. It features the Transform Pokémon, Ditto, and focuses on creativity and exploration rather than the traditional catch-‘em-all gameplay. The game incorporates blocky terrain and resource-gathering mechanics inspired by Minecraft, along with community-centric elements reminiscent of Animal Crossing. Further details about its building mechanics and customization options are still pending.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

Photo-to-video in Google Photos is getting a big upgrade with Veo 3

Google has upgraded its Google Photos app with the Veo 3 video generation model, allowing users to create six-second video clips from photos with improved quality. A new Create tab in the app provides access to various creative tools, including the Veo 3 feature, Remix, Highlight videos, collages, and animations. The photo-to-video capability, which was introduced over a month ago, now replaces the previous Veo 2 model. The Create tab features allow users to convert images into artistic styles, generate themed clips, and create collages and animations. The new features are currently available to users in the United States, with potential plans for a global rollout.

AppWizard

August 13, 2025

Move over, Ghibli trend: Google’s new feature turns photos into cartoons

Google has announced a new Remix feature for the Photos app that allows users to creatively reimagine their photos in various artistic styles, such as Anime or Comic Book. Users can access this feature in the "Create New" section and have the option to regenerate outcomes if they are not satisfied. The introduction of Remix is accompanied by improvements to the app's photo-to-video generation capabilities, enabling users to animate their photos with actions like throwing confetti. The rollout of the Remix feature is expected to happen soon.

AppWizard

August 13, 2025

How to use the Google Photos app’s new Remix tool to transform your pictures

Google has unveiled its Remix feature for the Photos app, allowing users to transform photos into artistic styles such as anime, 3D animation, sketches, and comic book illustrations. The feature, announced in July, is part of a broader update that includes a photo-to-video generator and is currently in the rollout phase. Users can access the feature by opening Google Photos, selecting the Remix option, choosing a photo, and generating the transformed image. The feature is classified as "experimental," with results varying based on the quality of the original photo. At launch, it offers four distinct art styles, and users can provide feedback on their experience.