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(Pocket-lint) – Google Lens is an AI-powered technology that uses your smartphone camera and deep machine learning to not only detect an object in front of the camera lens, but also the understand and propose actions such as digitization, translation, purchases, etc.
Lens was one of Google’s biggest announcements of 2017 and an exclusive feature of Google Pixel when that phone launched. Since then, Google Lens has arrived on the majority of Android devices – if you don’t have it, the app is available for download on Google Play.
What is Google Lens?
Google Lens lets you point your phone at something, like a specific flower, then ask Google Assistant what object you’re pointing at. Not only will you be told the answer, but you’ll get item-based suggestions, like nearby florists, in the case of a flower.
Other examples of what Google Lens can do include the ability to take a photo of the SSID sticker on the back of a Wi-Fi router, after which your phone will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network without you need to do something else. Yep, no more crawling under the closet to read the password while typing it into your phone. Now, with Google Lens, you can literally point and shoot.
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Google Lens will also recognize restaurants, clubs, cafes and bars by presenting you with a pop-up window displaying reviews, contact details and opening hours. It is the ability to recognize everyday objects that is impressive. It’ll recognize a hand and suggest the thumbs-up emoji, which is kind of fun, but point it at a drink, and it’ll try to figure out what it is.
We tested this feature with a glass of white wine. He didn’t suggest any white wine for us, but he suggested a whole range of other alcoholic beverages, then allowing you to see what they are, how to make them, etc. This shows that, while Lens is fast and smart, it’s not always accurate.
We’ve also tested it with many garden plants and found it to be a very useful way to find out what you’re growing.
What can Google Lens do?
In addition to the scenarios described above, Google Lens offers the following features:
Translate: you can point your phone at the text and, with Google Translate plugged in, translate the text live before your eyes. It can also work offline.
Smart text selection : You can point your phone’s camera at text, then highlight that text in Google Lens and copy it to use on your phone. So, for example, imagine pointing your phone at a Wi-Fi password and being able to copy/paste it into a Wi-Fi login screen.
Smart text search : When you highlight text in Google Lens, you can also search that text with Google. This is handy if you need to look up a word definition, for example.
Shopping : If you see a dress you like while shopping, Google Lens can identify that piece and similar clothes. It works for just about any item you can think of, access shopping or reviews.
Google homework questions : That’s right, you can just scan the question and see what Google comes up with.
Search around you : If you point your camera around you, Google Lens will detect and identify your surroundings. This can be details about a landmark or details about food types, including recipes.
How does Google Lens work?
Google Lens app
Google has a standalone app on Android for Google Lens if you want to jump straight to the features. You can access Google Lens via a range of other methods, as detailed below.
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The experience is similar whichever approach you take; tapping the Lens icon in Google Assistant takes you to the same view you get directly in the Lens app.
Google Photos
In Google Photos, Google Lens can identify buildings or landmarks, for example, showing users directions and opening hours for them. It will also be able to present information about a famous work of art. Maybe this will resolve the debate of whether the Mona Lisa is smiling or not.
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When browsing your photos in Google Photos, you’ll see the Google Lens icon at the bottom of the window. By tapping the icon, scan dots will appear on your image and then Google will offer suggestions.
Camera app
On some Android phones, Google Lens has been added directly to the device’s camera app. It may be in the “More” section, but differs by manufacturer and user interface.
On iPhone
If you want to access Google Lens on the iPhone, you can get it through the Google app. This app covers a range of Google services that are native to Android devices. Once you’ve installed the app, you can head to the Google Lens section, grant it permission to access your iPhone’s camera and away you go – you’ll get all the features above .
Which devices offer Google Lens?
If you are an Android device user, you can access the app. However, there are a few exceptions, such as phones banned from Google services such as those from Huawei – so it’s worth checking Google Play to see if you can get it.
It is also available on iPhone or iPad as detailed above.
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What’s next for Google Lens?
Since Google Lens represents the cutting edge of camera technology and its implementation by Google, there are constantly small updates and rumored features for the app on the horizon.
With wide availability on Android devices and iPhones too, there’s always something to discover with Google Lens.
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This article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated to reflect changing information.
