Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Photography
  3. Mobile
  4. News

PicsArt app now uses artificial intelligence to turn your photos into ‘money’

Add as a preferred source on Google

Has the election had you wondering what President-elect Donald Trump’s hair would look like on a dollar bill? With the PicsArt app’s latest feature, imagination isn’t necessary — the app can now make any photo appear like it belongs inside your wallet.

Introduced today, the app’s new Magic Money feature uses artificial intelligence to give both photos and videos a cash-like effect. The digital filter is the latest addition to PicsArt’s Magic Effects, compatible with still shots on Android and iOS versions of PicsArt. The effect can also be applied to video using the separate Magic Video app, currently only available on iOS. Videos are limited to six seconds on the platform.

Recommended Videos

PicsArt says that the filter was inspired by Con Brio, a funk and neo soul band from San Francisco, and their song, Money. So, to introduce the effect, the app company applied the filter to segments of the group’s related music video and remixed it with the Magic Money included.

“Whether it’s a photo taken on your phone, a GIF, or a music video, with PicsArt and Magic Video you can transform anything into art,” the company said in a blog post. “We’re excited to continue working with our creative partners like Con Brio to create awesome fan experiences and to harness high-tech to turn any form of self-expression into something new, strange, and beautiful.”

PicsArt is a photo editor that combines collages, filters, and drawing to expand the possibilities for turning mobile snapshots into artwork. The app has over 300 million downloads in 20 different languages.

PicsArts’ latest addition is the Magic Videos app, a clip editor that applies artistic effects to short videos using artificial intelligence software to apply the look to each frame.

Both PicsArt and Magic Video are free downloads, with in-app purchases offered to unlock extra effects.

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
Want to try film photography? Kodak’s new $35 camera is a great place to start
This retro inspired Kodak EC35 camera keeps film photography refreshingly simple.
Kodak-EC35

If you've been curious about film photography but didn't want to spend a fortune, Kodak has a new camera worth checking out. The new Kodak EC35 is a reusable 35mm point-and-shoot camera that costs just $34.99, making it one of the most affordable ways to try shooting on film.

Developed by Reto Project under the Kodak brand, the EC35 keeps things simple with a lightweight design, automatic flash, and a pocket-friendly body. It also arrives as interest in analog photography continues to grow, offering beginners an inexpensive alternative to disposable film cameras.

Read more
The FCC’s latest crackdown could put more than DJI drones at risk in the US
Robot, Person, Face

DJI may have found creative ways to keep some of its products flowing into the US, but those efforts are now drawing increased attention from regulators. According to The Verge, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started cracking down on several companies it believes could be helping DJI continue selling products in the country. These businesses have been described by industry observers as "DJI front companies" because they market or import products that appear to be closely tied to the Chinese drone maker while operating under different brand names.

DJI's alleged back door may be closing

Read more
I bought Kodak’s viral keychain camera, and the bad photos are part of its charm
The Kodak Charmera is barely a camera, and I still keep using it
Machine, Wheel, Camera

I bought the Kodak Charmera partly because I wanted a portable digital camera, and partly because I wanted a pretty little collectible. The Charmera is sold as a blind box, so you do not know which version you are getting until the box is opened. There are multiple retro Kodak-style designs, plus a transparent secret edition that looks like the one everyone would want.

I had the shopkeeper pick my box for better luck, and it worked out. I got the yellow variant, which is inspired by Kodak's original 80s disposable camera. The transparent one is definitely the fun collector’s piece, but the yellow model feels like the proper Kodak version. It looks like a tiny toy camera that escaped from a souvenir shop, found a keyring, and now hangs around wherever you go.

Read more