Welcome to Tech Talk, a weekly column exploring the devices we use and their functionalities. We strive to keep things straightforward so that everyone can grasp how and why the gadget in your hands operates the way it does. Occasionally, things may get a bit technical, as technology can often be complex and detailed. However, we can simplify it together!
You might not be interested in how all of this works, and that’s perfectly fine. Your tech gadgets are meant to be personal and enjoyable. But who knows, you might just pick up a new insight…
What is Nano Banana?
Nano Banana serves as a playful codename (similar to Android Ice Cream or Android Oreo) for Google Gemini’s imaging model, officially referred to as Gemini 2.5 (or Gemini 3 for the Pro version) Flash Image. It’s also a topic of frequent discussion online, with numerous blog posts mentioning it, as if everyone is already familiar with it. Now you are too.
Yet, this is one of those instances where knowing what it is isn’t the crucial aspect. It’s not the quirky name that people adore; it’s the capabilities it offers, how effortlessly you can utilize it, and the fact that the free version is impressive.
It surpasses most image generation AI tools due to its reliability. By that, I mean you can make numerous edits, and the elements you don’t modify retain their original appearance. You can tweak your images to enhance them, transform yourself into a robot pirate, or convert your dog into a pet chicken made out of lemon peels. It’s quite extraordinary or modest, depending on your preferences. Here’s how to embark on your journey.
How to use Nano Banana
The best aspect is its incredible ease of use. You can access the Google Gemini app on your smartphone, use Google Messages, or head to Gemini online, with consistent results across platforms. For my example, I’ll reference the web version since I’m currently at a computer typing this. The process remains identical, though.
I navigated to Gemini online and encountered a text input field. Just beneath that box was a small button labeled “Tools,” which I clicked and selected “Create Images” to kick things off. Then my “creative” instincts kicked in.
“Generate an image of a cat bowling. Illustrate it as a comic with the cat standing on two legs.” I requested. And it complied. Pro Tip: Being extremely precise in your prompt can save you a significant amount of time.
The output was essentially what I anticipated, and the entire process took approximately 10 seconds. From there, I had the option to save or share the image and provide feedback on Gemini’s performance.
You can engage in this kind of whimsical activity with most image generators. However, where Nano Banana truly excels is in its consistency. I proceeded to make a series of playful requests, such as dressing the cat in a cowboy hat and a green tuxedo, having the bowling ball radiate like an alien orb, and transforming the bowling pins into fried chicken legs. Nano Banana readily accommodated these modifications while the cat remained virtually unchanged from the original, though more cartoonish and vibrant since I specified that as well.
For the grand finale, I instructed Gemini to “Turn the cat into a 1/7 scale collectible figurine on a desk alongside toy packaging.” You’ve likely seen these images circulating on social media with that exact prompt. I believe the outcome is self-evident here, and I find it delightful!
Keep in mind, all of this began with my request for an image of a cat bowling.
I utilized Gemini to create the cat image, but you’re free to use virtually any picture of your choice. All of this can be done with a photo of yourself or your younger sibling. Gemini adheres to its guidelines to avoid generating anything deemed inappropriate, yet the same playful antics can still take place.
More crucially, you can leverage Nano Banana to make adjustments to your favorite photo. It can amplify colors, modify lighting and tone, and even dress you in a green tuxedo, all while appearing very realistic and natural. This is why it contains metadata stating it was created with AI; it can easily deceive anyone.
Nano Banana Pro elevates the experience further. A subscription to Gemini Pro is required, granting you access to the more advanced Gemini 3.0 Flash Image model. This allows your images to be converted into various languages, connects with Google Search for context-aware visuals, and permits the addition of up to 14 reference images for the final result. All fascinating features, but you might not find any of it essential enough to warrant payment.
You should definitely try Nano Banana if you haven’t yet. Now you know how to begin, and I assure you that you’ll have a great time, even if you’re not creating collectibles of yourself to showcase on Instagram. Those are incredibly cool.
