Alphabet(US:GOOG) Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-10-16 10:48Core Viewpoint - Google has launched its latest video model, Veo 3.1, in response to OpenAI's Sora 2, indicating an intensifying competition in the video generation sector [1][5]. Model Updates - The Veo 3.1 update is described as a minor iteration from Veo 3, with improvements in lighting effects and generation speed, but not significant advancements in video quality or AI audio capabilities compared to Sora 2 [5][9]. - Key features of Veo 3.1 include enhanced native audio generation, improved cinematic style understanding, and more realistic texture reproduction [9]. User Engagement and Features - Google’s Flow, powered by Veo, has seen over 275 million videos generated by users, with the latest update enhancing several core functionalities [11]. - New features include "Frames to Video," allowing users to create smooth transitions between two images, and "Extend," which enables users to lengthen videos beyond the original 8 seconds [13]. Performance Comparison - User tests indicate that Veo 3.1 shows a 20-30% improvement in prompt adherence, audiovisual quality, and audio support compared to Veo 3, but still struggles with complex scenes [17]. - In head-to-head comparisons, Sora 2 is generally favored for its micro-realism, lighting, and audio quality, while Veo 3.1 is noted for faster generation times [17][18]. Pricing and Accessibility - Veo 3.1 is currently in preview, available through various paid platforms, with pricing set at $0.4 per second for the standard version and $0.15 per second for the fast version, which is less competitive compared to Sora 2's pricing [18]. Industry Context - The competition between Google and OpenAI in the AI video generation space remains fierce, with no clear leader established yet, and the industry is awaiting more significant updates from Google to potentially regain its competitive edge [19][20].