Last year at the Google I/O 2017 conference the search giant unveiled Google Lens. This tool leverages Googles extensive image recognition and machine learning capabilities to allow users to gain more benefit from their photo taking.
Google began rolling out this innovative feature first to its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL flagship smartphones late last year. More recently, Google began updating the Photos app for other Android phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S8, S9, and Note 8.
iOS was seemingly left out in the cold… until today.
Taking advantage of Google Lens is straightforward, but requires the use of Google Photos on your iPhone or iPad. Simply open a photo and tap the square camera icon located in the toolbar below the image. After a short period of processing, Google"s AI will identify things like landmarks, buildings, and even paintings while offering additional relevant information, hopefully expanding your knowledge about the world around you.
Other capabilities include:
- saving contact details extracted from photographed business cards
- looking up reviews of books by taking a picture of the cover
- Saving events advertised on flyers or billboards as an event in your calendar
To see these features, be sure you are on version 3.15 of the Google Photos app. The feature begins to roll out today and should be available for all within the next week.
Source: Google (Twitter) via 9to5Mac