Searching on a mobile device may have been as bland as going to Google on your web browser up until now, but the search giant today spiced things up a little by announcing a range of new search services accessible by location, voice and even sight.
The Google Mobile team confirmed the new functions on its blog with Google Goggles taking centre stage.
By using the camera on a mobile device, this new service allows you to search for information using images rather than typing words.
It gave examples it could help you with, from wanting more information on a monument you are visiting to finding out what is the best wine on the list you are looking at for dinner.
By sending the image through your phone to Google's data centres it can search information for you and return the search results to your handset within seconds.
Vic Gundotra, vice president of engineering at Google Mobile, said in the post: "When you connect your phone's camera to data centres in the cloud, it becomes an eye to see and search with."
"It sees the world like you do, but it simultaneously taps the world's info in ways that you can't. And this makes it a perfect answering machine for your visual questions."
Google Goggles comes as a mobile application but is only available devices running Android 1.6 and abover. It is downloadable from the Android Market and Google is urging its customers to try it and help the company to develop the tool further.
The search giant also confirmed improvements to its voice search with the application being available on more devices and in more languages and search by location where it is now possible to search for "What's Nearby" using Google Maps to give you a list of 10 of the nearest places of interest.
The post said that these launches were early examples of what could be done with the technology but it concluded: "Something has changed. Computing has changed. And the possibilities inspire us."
-
What to look out for at RSAC Conference 2025Analysis Convincing attendees that AI can revolutionize security will be the first point of order at next week’s RSA Conference – but traditional threats will be a constant undercurrent
-
Ransomware attacks are rising — but quiet payouts could mean there's more than actually reportedNews Ransomware attacks continue to climb, but they may be even higher than official figures show as companies choose to quietly pay to make such incidents go away.
-
Google Glass Enterprise Edition targets key business verticalsNews Google brings wearable back from the dead with business-focused successor
-
Does a Google Glass firmware update signal a comeback?News Google's ill-fated wearable could be set to return
-
Google Glass enterprise edition goes up for sale on eBayNews Unreleased headset selling for over $7,000
-
Is Google Glass set to make a workplace comeback?News A new business version of the smart specs will be released in 2016, it is claimed
-
Google could be planning to expand Google Glass familyRumours One Google Glass wasn’t enough, with the company reportedly planning to develop an entire product range
-
Is Google Glass dead?News Despite Google ending its Explorer programme, the smart glasses are still in development
-
Virgin Atlantic trials Sony SmartWear to boost communicationNews Heathrow-based engineers will get updates on the SmartWatch and take pictures with the SmartEyeglass
-
Google Glass sales to stop, with device set for design overhaulNews Google Glass is being withdrawn from sale, as reports of redesign “from scratch” surface
