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Hold onto your hats, folks, Google Lens is about to become a whole lot smarter!
Google just dropped a bombshell announcement about their fancy-pants Google Lens feature on iPhones. And you know what that means? It’s time for my take.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, Google Lens is finally learning how to watch videos! That’s right, no longer is it content to just stare blankly at still images like some kind of digital potato. Now, if you point your phone at a swimming fish and ask, “Hey Google, what kind of fish is this weirdo?”, Lens will actually tell you!
Apparently, it can analyze the video and your question to provide you with an “AI Overview,” which I’m sure is totally unbiased and definitely not influenced by Google’s own agenda. Along with this overview, you’ll get some handy links to learn more, just in case you’re not satisfied with Google’s version of the truth.
But wait, there’s more! Google has also decided that talking to your phone wasn’t awkward enough, so they’ve added voice search to Lens. Now you can point your camera, hold the button, and ask your phone a question, all while looking like you’re talking to your imaginary friend.
And if you’re a shopaholic who loves using Lens to find similar items, Google has also promised “dramatically more helpful” results. This means more information about the product, including prices and where to buy it, because clearly we need more ways to spend our money.
Google is also messing around with search results in general, starting with recipes. They’re rolling out AI-organized search pages, which means your recipe search will be presented in a fancy new format, with different options, ingredients, and who knows what else.
Finally, Google is changing the look of “AI Overviews” and adding ads to them. Because, let’s be honest, what’s the point of getting information if you can’t also be bombarded with ads? According to Google, ads are “helpful” because they connect you with businesses. Sure, Google, that’s totally why you’re doing it.
So there you have it, folks. Google Lens is getting a major makeover, and whether that’s a good thing or not remains to be seen. But hey, at least it’s not boring!
From the sales floor to the critic's corner, I'm a former Apple Sales Specialist who's not afraid to tell it like it is. Get my honest takes on the iPhone, Mac, and everything Apple. | Los Angeles, California.
