Adobe just dropped a major update for Project Indigo. The experimental iOS camera app now features a generative “AI Playground” suite. The tools shift the software from a stripped-down manual shooter into an all-in-one editing bay right on your phone.
The update brings new capabilities directly into the camera interface. Users get object and distractor removal, depth-of-field adjustments, and stylistic text-prompt edits. But the standout addition is a unique “Photo Critique” tool that actively reviews your shots and offers suggestions on how to improve composition or camera settings.
There is a twist under the hood. Adobe confirmed that the new generative features in the AI Playground are powered by Google’s Nano Banana model. Because this model is cloud-based, the tools require an active internet connection to function. A recent breakdown confirms the reliance on Google’s Nano Banana model and details the new Photo Critique feature. Adobe noted it plans to integrate its own Firefly models eventually, but it relies entirely on Google’s infrastructure for this initial test.
A Highly Restricted Rollout
Right now, the AI Playground is free but incredibly limited. Adobe is offering the tools to a randomly selected “few percent” of users for a test period spanning a few weeks. You do not need to sign in to access the new features.
The company also took an aggressive stance on data privacy. Adobe explicitly stated it will only collect anonymous analytics on button presses. A deep dive verifies the launch of the AI Playground in Project Indigo, the limited user pool, and Adobe’s data privacy claims. The software will not read text prompts, upload user images, or use them to train future AI models.
Project Indigo initially launched over a year ago as a free Adobe Labs experiment. It gave iPhone photographers a natural, “SLR-like” alternative to Apple’s native computational photography, which critics often label over-sharpened. In April 2026, Adobe expanded the app to support select iPads and the iPhone 17e.
Now, the focus expands into post-processing. The new editing suite offers direct feedback, turning the app into a digital coach. Early testing highlights the artistic re-rendering capabilities and photography advice generated by the new AI tools.
What This Means for Mobile Photographers
If this experimental phase succeeds, Adobe plans to either expand the free testing pool or transition the tools into a paid tier. By integrating generative edits and active photo critiques directly into the capture app, Adobe eliminates the friction of bouncing between a raw camera app and Lightroom. It challenges Apple’s default camera philosophy head-on, giving users absolute manual control during the shot and highly complex generative fixes immediately after.