Google Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash adds a budget 360p draft mode, better scene extension, and external video references. What changed for HK creators.
Google just updated Gemini Omni Flash to version 1.1, and it's a meaningful upgrade for anyone using AI video in production. The headline changes? A new 360p draft mode that costs a third of 720p, smarter scene extension that looks back 10 seconds instead of just one, and the ability to upload external footage as a style reference.
Here's what changed and why it matters for Hong Kong creators.
What's New in Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash
The biggest practical addition is the 360p draft mode. It runs up to 60% faster than 720p at $0.03 per second — about one-third the cost. For context, 720p costs $0.10/sec, 1080p is $0.15/sec, and 4K is $0.30/sec. Draft mode is ideal for rapid iteration: storyboard your sequence in 360p, lock the edit, then upscale to 1080p or 4K for final delivery.
Google also overhauled scene extension. Previously, the model only analyzed the last second of your video to decide what comes next — which meant continuity breaks on longer sequences. Omni 1.1 now looks at up to 10 seconds of existing footage, and you can extend scenes in 10-second increments up to 40 seconds total. That's a big step toward usable long-form AI video.
Another welcome addition: you can now upload up to three seconds of external footage as a style reference. The model will carry over characters and motion patterns from your reference clip, adding a layer of creative control that was missing in the original release.
Finally, you can set start and end frames to create camera movements between keyframes — think slow push-ins, pull-outs, or panning shots defined by exact frame positions.
What This Means for Hong Kong Creators
For HK agencies producing commercial video, the 360p draft mode is the standout feature. When you're iterating on ad creative or social content for clients, speed and cost matter. Running first drafts at $0.03/sec means you can experiment freely without burning budget — then upscale only the winning versions to 1080p or 4K.
The improved scene extension directly helps storytellers. HK video production agencies working on brand narratives, product demos, or destination reels can now build longer, more consistent sequences without fighting against model memory limits.
Getting Started with Gemini Omni 1.1
Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash is available now through Google AI Studio and the developer docs. If you're already using Cooly Studio to generate and manage AI video content, the model's lower cost tier and improved continuity make it a strong candidate for your production pipeline. At cooly.ai, we track the latest AI video models so creators and agencies can experiment with what works best for each project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much cheaper is the 360p draft mode? A: 360p costs $0.03/sec compared to $0.10/sec for 720p — roughly one-third the price. It runs up to 60% faster too.
Q: Can I upscale from 360p to higher resolutions? A: Yes. Draft mode videos can be upscaled to 1080p or 4K for final delivery, making it ideal for rapid iteration workflows.
Q: How long can I extend scenes with the new scene extension? A: You can extend scenes in 10-second increments up to 40 seconds total. The model now analyzes up to 10 seconds of existing video for better continuity.
Q: Does Gemini Omni 1.1 support external video references? A: Yes. You can upload up to three seconds of external footage and the model will carry over characters and motion patterns from it.
Q: Is Gemini Omni 1.1 available in Cooly Studio? A: Not yet directly, but cooly.ai continuously evaluates new models as they launch. Keep checking cooly.ai for model updates.