How to auto-enhance videos on Google+

Recording videos on your smartphone can sometimes lead to less than desirable results. Perhaps the video is too dark, the colors aren’t quite right, or the picture is too shaky. Google recognizes these issues with videos you upload using Google+ and has a solution for them: auto-enhance.

This new ability to enhance videos will not offer the same options that you get for photos, but it could help salvage a video that isn’t up to snuff. Ready to check it out?

First, upload or sync your video to Google+. For more info on sync, check out this guide to using Google+ Auto Backup.

Now that you have a video to work with on your account, you can apply the auto enhance three ways: on the Web, on Android, or automatically if you want Google to decide which videos need a tune-up. Here’s how to do each:

Web

Step 1: To locate your video on Google+, click the left-hand menu and head to Photos. Once there, click More in the menu along the top and select Videos.

Step 2: Open the video you want to enhance, and click More (again) at the top menu. Choose Auto Enhance from the menu.

Step 3: You will see a side-by-side comparison of your video before and after enhancements. If you like the changes, click Apply at the top and your video will be processed.

Android

Step 1: Open the Photos app on your Android device and tap Videos in the slide-out menu on the left-hand side.

Step 2: Select the video you want to work with. Tap the overflow menu (three dots) and choose Auto Enhance.

You will see the Enhancing tag near the bottom of the screen to show that it is processing. Unfortunately, you cannot see the same side-by-side comparison like you can on the Web.

Automatic

If you want the enhancements to happen automatically, make sure that Auto Enhance is enabled on your Google+ account.

On the Web, click the left-hand menu > Settings > fill in the bubble next to the Auto Enhance strength you want to use.

On Android, tap the overflow menu (three dots) > Settings > Account name > check the box next to Auto Enhance.

What do you think of the new auto-enhance feature for videos? Will you use it? Why or why not?

(Via Tim St. Clair on Google+ and AndroidPolice)