By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-10-15 12:43:27 | Word Count: 664
Who has time to type out a search term on their smart phones anymore? Google Goggles, a popular Android application that allows users to snap a picture of something and perform a Google search on that item, is now available to Apple products through the App Store.
The app lets users take a picture of just about anything, drink labels, books, magazines, or landmarks, and perform a Google search on them. For example, say I wanted to know more about the bottle of wine I’m drinking. I can snap a picture of the label with my iPhone, then search and get articles telling me more about where the wine is made, how long the winery’s been in business and even images of the winery if they’re available.
The app is actually an addition to the Google Mobile app, a free application for iPhone users. To get it, download Google Mobile from iTunes or the App Store. If you already have Google Mobile on your iPhone, check for updates in the App Store.
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To use the application, open Google Mobile on your phone, then tap the camera. Snap a picture and Goggles will highlight certain aspects of it, a DVD cover for example. Tap on the selected portion you want to know more about, sit back and absorb all the information coming at you!
Google said to remember the app is still in developmental stages and will work through its kinks with updates and later editions. The future for Google Goggles may involve capabilities to identify animals, plants, and things that don’t take consistent shapes and forms. Think of the convenience involved in an application capable of such things. Want to know what breed that dog is? Snap a picture and Google Goggles will give you its best guess! Wondering if you just brushed into some Poison Ivy? Get out your Google Goggles! Curious if that snake is a king snake or a coral snake? Google Goggles will know!
The current app requires iOS 3.0 or later and only works on iPhone 3Gs or 4, as it requires a camera equipped with auto focus.
