Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays
Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.
Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.
Featured
Nano Banana Pro — Google’s high-fidelity image generation & editing model
🔍 What the Announcement Reveals
The team behind Gemini 3 Pro Image (the latest multimodal model from DeepMind/Google LLC) have released Nano Banana Pro, a studio-grade image generation and editing model, now rolling out in developer preview. blog.google+2blog.google+2
Key takeaways:
Nano Banana Pro supports high-resolution output (1 K, 2 K, and up to 4 K) with professional controls: lighting, camera angle, focus, composition and color-grading. blog.google+1
It excels at accurate text rendering inside images (menus, signs, multilingual text) and advanced editing workflows (infographics, multi-image fusion, character consistency). blog.google+1
It allows blending up to 14 reference images and maintain consistent characters/objects across them (e.g., up to five people, six object shots) in one composition. Simon Willison’s Weblog+1
It is available via the Gemini API in Google AI Studio, via Vertex AI for enterprise, and integrated into apps like Slides, Vids, NotebookLM and the Gemini app itself. Workspace Updates Blog+1
It uses grounding with Google Search to pull real-world knowledge (e.g., accurate diagrams, maps, labels) for image generation or editing. blog.google+1
⚙️ Technical & Strategic Details
Strong creative-tool orientation: New model aimed at not just generating random art but production-ready assets—marketing collateral, infographics, media visuals, UI mockups. blog.google+1
From an analytics/data perspective: The model’s capabilities imply handling more complex image pipelines (multiple inputs, edits over time, high-fidelity output) and tracking provenance (watermarking, metadata). blog.google+1
For creators & side-hustle: It opens opportunity to build image-editing or generation tools that leverage this model (e.g., prompt templates, plugin architecture, creator workflows).
For your domain (data analytics + tech + smart home): Think of image generation as a component in automation workflows (e.g., dashboards, marketing assets, user-interfaces for IoT apps), meaning you’ll want to consider how these powerful models play into system design, asset pipelines, and governance.
From a governance/ethical lens: When models output high-fidelity, multi-input images with true-to-life details + text + translation + real-world grounding, the risks around misinformation, deep-fakes, copyright and user-consent grow. The model embeds digital-watermarking (SynthID) to mark AI-edited/or-generated assets. blog.google
⚠️ Why It Matters
For your analytics-tech background: Image-generation is no longer a toy—it’s deeply integrated into business, marketing and automation workflows. Knowing how to measure, integrate and audit these models will be increasingly valuable.
For your content/creator/side-hustle work: This is a sweet spot. You can explore how Nano Banana Pro enables new creator tools (e.g., “create a comic book with AI-generated frames”, “automated slide deck visuals for my blog”), and you have the analytical chops to assess impact.
For smart-home/DIY: With strong image-asset generation capabilities, expect faster prototyping of user-interfaces, smarter visual feedback systems, or even IoT dashboards/visualizations that leverage this kind of model.
For process-improvement: Models like this will change how visual assets are created, reviewed, edited. Your project management and IT-upgrade experience (SCCM, Landesk etc) can translate into managing how creative/asset pipelines evolve alongside AI.
💬 My Take
Nano Banana Pro is a compelling leap — not just “better image generator” but “image generation as production-tool”. For someone like you, here are some recommended next steps:
Experiment: Try Nano Banana Pro in a small side-project: e.g., your Motivation Booster Cards, create a visually-rich printable deck using the model and document the workflow (prompt→edit→asset→print).
Workshop prompt-packs: Since you build creator content, create prompt templates for high fidelity outputs (infographics, sound-visual backgrounds, smart-home dashboards) and package them for your audience/blog.
Governance mapping: Given your IT/administration experience, build a checklist for using such models in your workflows: asset provenance, version control, cost tracking (4K renders cost more), review/approval workflows.
Content angle: Write or produce a piece on “How high-fidelity image AI is transforming creator workflows in 2025” or “What creators should know when using Nano Banana Pro” — your dual lens of technical + creator gives you a good vantage.
AI Spotlight: Higgsfield—Transforming Static Images into Cinematic Videos |
Higgsfield is an AI-powered video generation platform designed to empower creators with advanced cinematic tools. By converting static images into dynamic videos, Higgsfield offers a suite of features that bring professional-grade motion effects to users of all skill levels. |
🎬 Key Features: Extensive Motion Controls: Higgsfield provides over 50 cinematic camera movements, including dolly zooms, crash zooms, FPV drone shots, and more, allowing users to craft visually compelling narratives. Image-to-Video Conversion: Users can upload a single image and apply motion effects to generate short videos, making it ideal for social media content, advertisements, and storytelling. User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed for ease of use, enabling creators without extensive technical backgrounds to produce high-quality videos. Customizable Effects: Higgsfield offers a variety of visual effects, such as disintegration, levitation, and explosions, to enhance the creative possibilities. 💰 Pricing Plans: Basic Plan: Includes 150 credits per month, suitable for casual creators. Pro Plan: Offers 600 credits per month, access to advanced models, and additional features for professional use. Ultimate Plan: Provides 1500 credits per month, priority access to new features, and support for up to 4 concurrent jobs. Credit Packs: One-time purchase options are available for users needing additional credits without changing their subscription plan. 🚀 Getting Started: Sign Up: Create an account on Higgsfield's website. Choose a Motion Effect: Select from the extensive library of camera movements and visual effects. Upload an Image: Provide a high-quality image to serve as the base for your video. Generate Video: Apply the chosen effects and generate your video within minutes. 📣 My Take: Higgsfield stands out as a powerful tool for creators seeking to infuse their content with cinematic flair without the need for complex software or equipment. Its combination of user-friendly design and professional-grade effects makes it a valuable asset for marketers, storytellers, and social media influencers aiming to elevate their visual content. |
Sora - officially launches to the public - create videos from prompts or images
Fireflies.ai - AI notetaker and transcription for meetings!
Taskade - Create and Train your own AI Agents!
AI Tools for Bloggers - Leveraging AI Tools and Pinterest for Success
ChatGPT - What will it do for you?!
Grok - Harness powerful AI & generate stunning images
Gemini 2.0 - Faster and more capable than ever!
Replit - Take your ideas and turn them into software — no coding required!
Submagic - lets you create viral shorts in seconds!
Midjourney - create incredible images from basic prompts!
MadeByMelo - An inclusive & collaborative space for artists, creators, & gamers
