How to Use the New Google Lens Features
Google Lens, once only for pixels, is now part of the Google Photos app (or a separate download for Android ). During Google I / O this year, Google announced a number of new features for Google Lens, and you can play with them on both iOS and Android right now – provided your device now supports Lens in its Camera app (or separate Lens app if not).
To try a lens in Google Photos, open a photo in Google Photos and then click on the lens icon, which looks like a square with a magnifying glass. Google will scan the image and display a card with relevant information based on what it found (which you can then interact with in a variety of ways).
When Lens first launched, it allowed you to do some fun things, like taking a picture of a business card to save the person as a new contact on your phone. It can also identify landmarks in your photos and where you can buy a cool shirt that you see someone in. Now Lens can do even more:
Copy text from the real world
With this feature, one of my favorites, you can take a picture of anything, and Google will let you copy and paste the words it finds elsewhere with your phone. For example, if you have a gift card with an insanely long number that you want to use to buy something online, you can take a photo of it and then copy and paste the number when you checkout in an online store. Just tap and hold the highlighted text on any photo. As with other places on your phone, a Copy button will appear, which will then allow you to paste the text anywhere else on Android or iOS.
Analyze in real time with anchor points
With anchor points, Google Lens works in real time, so you can bring the camera up to something and try to identify it, rather than take a picture and have Google analyze it after the fact. When the camera is open, a point (also known as an anchor point) appears on objects that it can identify. When you click on a point, a card with additional information will appear.
Let Google Play Dress Up
Sometimes you need Gucci, but you can only afford Payless. The Lens Like Style feature can show you other items similar to the clothes you just captured with the camera. Better yet, it helps you figure out where to buy them. This feature works on clothing and other objects such as furniture. No, he (probably) won’t tell you a funny IKEA name for this bookshelf or table.
To find a similar style, simply take a picture of what interests you and click on the dot that appears on that object – provided Lens recognizes what it is. A card will then appear showing where you can buy similar items.