Technologies

Nano Banana Pro Is Here: All the Changes in Google’s Popular AI Image Tool

You can dial your AI images up to 4K, thanks to Gemini 3. Less good is the ability to remove the AI watermarks.

The newest version of Google’s AI image model is here, thanks to Gemini 3. Whether you choose to call it by its official name (Gemini 3 Pro Image) or its better-known nickname (nano banana pro), this model uses Gemini’s «deep thinking» feature to create better content.

Nano banana pro promises to be more capable, specifically with generating legible text, using up to 14 reference images and creating images in resolutions up to 4K.

Nano banana pro is available now, rolling out globally in the Gemini app. In Gemini, select «Create images» (with a 🍌 emoji) and switch your model to the Thinking model (located on the right side of the prompt window).

You can use nano banana pro for free, but you will hit a generation limit faster than paying Google AI subscribers. Those plans start at $20 per month. You’ll be automatically switched back to the original model once you’ve used up your credits. The model is also available in the Gemini API, Google AI Studio and Flow.

Inside the new nano banana model

AI image generators have notoriously struggled to create clear text; mangled words have been clear signs that an image was created with AI. OpenAI’s GPT-Image-1 was one of the first models to make significant progress in fixing this, but CNET’s testing showed it wasn’t able to reliably create readable text.

Google says nano banana pro is supposed to be better at this — so good that you can use the new model to create infographics, relying on Gemini’s integration with Google Search (and Search’s AI Mode for paying Pro users) to aid the process.

You might’ve noticed that none of the images made with nano banana pro have Google’s diamond-shaped watermark, which usually denotes that it was made with AI. That’s because Google is introducing a new way for its highest-paying subscribers (those paying $250 per month for the Ultra plan) to remove those watermarks. Even though it’s restricted to that top-tier plan, it’s already extremely difficult to tell if something was created with AI. Fewer watermarks won’t help. Google says Gemini will be able to identify any images made with its AI because of its SynthID, an invisible watermark attached to its AI-generated content. So in theory, you can upload an image to Gemini and ask whether it’s real or made with Google’s AI. We’ll have to wait and see how well it actually works.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

The original nano banana model, Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, was released this summer. Early testers thought the capabilities were, well, bananas. Throw in a series of fruit-themed teasers from Google executives, and the model quickly became best known by its nickname, nano banana. Its popularity soared in the following days.

One of the things fans liked about the original nano banana was how well it maintained character consistency. Meaning nano banana was able to edit your existing photos without distorting the characters or people in them. CNET’s hands-on testing found this was true, but there were still obvious AI slip-ups. The new model might eliminate some of those errors.

It’s been a big week for Google as it dropped a major update to its AI system, Gemini 3. The new models are rolling out now, aiming to give Gemini users a smarter, less sycophantic experience.

For more, check out how to write the best AI image prompt and the best AI image generators.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Feb. 5, #500

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Feb. 5, No. 500.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. As an old-school Minnesota Twins fan, I was excited to see the last name of our most legendary player on the grid. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: QB is another one.

Green group hint: Hit it out of the park.

Blue group hint: Great gridiron signal-callers.

Purple group hint: Half of a thousand.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Football positions, abbreviated.

Green group: Members of the 500-HR club.

Blue group: First names of QBs to throw 500 career TDs.

Purple group: ____500.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is football positions, abbreviated. The four answers are CB, OT, S and TE.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is members of the 500-HR club. The four answers are Banks, Bonds, Foxx and Killebrew.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is first names of QBs to throw 500 career TDs. The four answers are Aaron, Drew, Peyton and Tom.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____500. The four answers are ATP, Daytona, Indy and WTA.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Feb. 5

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Feb. 5

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? The Across clues were kind of tricky today, but the Down clues helped me fill in the grid. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Battery warning from a smoke detector
Answer: CHIRP

6A clue: Word that can precede «book» or «tour»
Answer: AUDIO

7A clue: Extreme edge
Answer: BRINK

8A clue: Like a wobbly screw
Answer: LOOSE

9A clue: Type in
Answer: ENTER

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Alternative to streaming
Answer: CABLE

2D clue: One of the Great Lakes
Answer: HURON

3D clue: Dummy
Answer: IDIOT

4D clue: Wash under a tap
Answer: RINSE

5D clue: Game in which Paul Newman successfully cons a crime boss in «The Sting»
Answer: POKER

Technologies

Fitbit Launches Luffu, AI-Powered Health Tracking for the Whole Family

Soon, you may be able to access every family member’s health data in one place.

If you’ve ever wanted a way to keep all of your family’s health records in place, Fitbit may have come up with a solution. Fitbit, well-known for its fitness wearables, announced the launch of its own health care system on Wednesday.

Luffu, which translates to the Old English word for «love,» uses AI to create what it calls an «intelligent family care system.» The platform allows family members to share all their health information through an app.

It’s unclear when Luffu will be officially available, but you can sign up for the waitlist to get access to the limited public beta. Pricing or other details have not been announced.

Luffu will allow families to keep track of everyone’s doctor’s appointments, test results, vaccine records, medications, symptoms, diet and more. The platform uses AI to learn your family’s health history and patterns, and to alert you to any changes that should be addressed, such as missed medications or abnormal vitals. The AI function organizes the data submitted into the system. The app will also connect to third-party apps and wearables, such as the Fitbit.

Luffu is meant to lighten the mental load of family care by organizing all this health data in one place, its co-founder said.

«I was caring for my parents from across the country, trying to piece together my mom’s health care across various portals and providers, with a language barrier that made it hard to get a complete, timely context from her about doctor visits,» said Luffu co-founder James Park.

Luffu will include alerts and a space to log health and medication information via voice, text, photos, and other health portals and devices. The key medical information can be shared across the platform with spouses, caregivers and parents.

A representative for Fitbit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.