Sundar Pichai of Google, says this in his I/O 2019 blog post – “Sometimes the best way to understand new information is to see it.” The new features coming to Google Search and Google Lens put his words into action. Augmented Reality (AR) was once only a tech demo of sorts, but now built into Google Search. Smartphone companies to medical institutes have been making efforts to offer a real-world augmented reality experience by creating a lot of computer-generated content. It is highly engaging, and especially for younger generations that might use to play and learn.
Until now, Google Lens only searched for information on everything you scanned using your phone’s camera. The latest updates brings in more capabilities, by emphasizing on language translation, online shopping and dining experiences. The updates have started rolling out for Android and iOS devices alike so make sure you check them out if you haven’t already.
Google Search now uses augmented reality to bring results to life
A lot of smart glasses and headsets have come and gone, which helped us experience Augmented Reality (AR) as a piece of tech. Google now gives us real reasons to use it in our everyday life. It has virtual 3D models available for a number of things although the early Google’s AR-enabled search only displays AR animals.
If you launch Chrome on your phone and search for keywords such as shark, tiger, cat, dog, puppy, giant panda, brown bear, penguin or alligator, the search results displays a box with a message – ‘Meet a life-sized object up close’. Click on it and you can choose to view objects in 3D. Clicking on the ‘View in your space’ button lets you place objects in the real world. This might be a fun way to introduce younger audiences to animals, in your home environment.
Google Lens bring real-time translation, augmented reality and more
Google Lens, a camera-enabled app can recognize objects in the real world. Most of us may have used it to find a book or an outfit in the past. With the recent update, it translates text, suggests popular dishes at restaurants, helps in shopping and more.
Translate text – Point at text to translate
Google Translate is like a personal interpreter. For example, if you are travelling to a new place and want to know what the sign boards say, Google Translate can translate them in real time. Google has integrated Translate into Google Lens and so, it can translate more than 100 languages. To start using it, select the Translate mode on Google Lens, set the language you want to translate from and to, then simply point your phone’s camera on the text.
Dining – Point at dishes on a menu
At a restaurant and are confused on what to order? Google Lens can help. If you have the restaurant’s menu card in front of you, open Google Lens, select the Dining mode and point your phone’s camera at it. Lens will look up the web and virtually highlight popular dishes on the menu card itself. Further still, you can check photos and read reviews of those dishes.
Shopping – Point at an object to purchase
Google Lens will help you purchase almost anything you see. For example, you might find a pair of shoes or a book you like at your friend’s place, and want to buy it. With Google Lens you can directly scan these objects or the barcodes on them using Lens’ shopping mode and it will identify these objects giving you options to buy.
Text – Point at text to copy
Google Lens supports Text mode that lets you copy text from physical cards, papers or even images. This is useful, when you want to copy addresses or save contact numbers from visiting cards, wedding cards or any other documents. Simply launch Google Lens and point the camera on the text to capture it. Drag to select the text you want to use and tap the ‘Copy text’ button. It’s pretty impressive how it lets you select text using the captured image, and it even detects handwriting!
Search – Point at an object for details
The Search feature in Google Lens is useful when you come across an object you don’t know anything about, say for example – a flower or a plant you might be curious about. Simply use Google Lens’ Search mode and point your phone at it. Lens will display the name, show additional photos and information about it.
Google Search and Lens’ visual features are a big improvement from the years past. They might appear be small additions, but we think they are nifty and worth using in our day-to-day activities.
