Nano Banana Goes Viral
Google’s Nano Banana, part of the Gemini 2.5 Flash engine, has become a major hit on social media platforms. Known for creating cinematic portraits, retro-style images, and even viral saree trends, the AI model has attracted millions of users worldwide. India currently leads in usage, with the Gemini app topping both Apple’s App Store and Google Play charts, highlighting the country’s enthusiasm for AI-powered image creation.
Perplexity’s integration brings the same capabilities to WhatsApp, enabling users to generate images as they would on Google’s apps, but without the need for additional tools or platforms. Srinivas shared the announcement on X, emphasizing the company’s excitement about making Nano Banana more accessible.
How to Use Nano Banana on WhatsApp
Using Nano Banana on WhatsApp is straightforward:
- Open WhatsApp and message +1 (833) 436-3285 to connect with Perplexity’s bot.
- Start a conversation by sending a greeting or simply initiating the chat.
- Upload the image you want to edit.
- Provide a detailed prompt describing the style, mood, or theme you want. The AI works best with specific instructions, such as “retro Bollywood-style portrait in 4K” or “modern saree fashion look.”
- Request variations if desired, and download the generated images directly from the chat.
Detailed prompts are crucial for high-quality results, and the AI can handle a wide range of creative edits, from cinematic portraits to vintage-style images. The bot also allows further refinements, such as adjusting backgrounds, lighting, or image resolution.
Availability and Cost
Perplexity has not clarified whether the WhatsApp feature will remain free. Google typically offers limited free usage of its AI engines, with premium subscribers receiving expanded access. A similar model is expected for the WhatsApp integration.Beyond Nano Banana, the Perplexity bot offers additional AI functionalities, including question answering, summaries, and other creative tasks, making it a versatile tool within WhatsApp’s ecosystem. Users should review Perplexity’s privacy policy before sharing sensitive images, as AI processing involves third-party systems.