Update: A short video has been posted.
Update 2: The application is now available for download.
Google Visual Search is coming to Android. Hartmut Neven, Google Product Manage, revealed the new application during a recent CNBC special “Inside the Mind of Google“. The service allows users to take pictures of real world objects and generate a Google search related to the item. The technology uses visual recognition engines and location based services to provide accurate results.
Mr. Neven gave several examples of how the service could be used such as:
“Imagine you are on travel in Paris and you visit a museum. If a picture catches your attention you can simply take a photo and send it to the VMS service. Within seconds you will receive an audio-visual narrative explaining the image to you. If you happen to be connected to a 3G network the response time would be below a second. After the museum visit you might step outside and see a coffeehouse.”
We have been speculating that Google could offer free VOIP calling service when they launch their own phone next year and this is another example of how they could monetize the service. Google’s recent acquisition of Admob is going to be key in their mobile advertising ambitions.
I was unable to find a video of the Google Visual Search demo, but they had a short clip talking about Android. Most of the footage is from this year’s Google I/O. I was actually in the same room with Sergey Brin on some of those shots and I half expected to see myself in some of the clips, but no luck.
The Google Visual Search is said to be demod in the CNBC special so set your DVR for one of the following show times:
- Friday, December 4th 9p | 12a ET
- Saturday, December 5th 7p ET
- Sunday, December 6th 10p ET
- Thursday, December 10th 8p | 1a ET
- Thursday, December 24th 4p | 8p ET
- Friday, December 25th Midnight ET
What creative uses can you think of for Google Visual Search?
[via eWeek]
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Taylor Wimberly
Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He loves playing with all kinds of gadgets, but most importantly cell phones. His other hobbies include cooking (BBQ hero!), politics, football, and watching every MMA event possible.
17 Comments
This should be interesting and possibly great!
Interesting indeed. If google visual search and augmented reality got together and f***ed, I would be very happy to see the offspring. Real time visual search? Nice to meet you.
I would like to see real time google earth so you can zoom into anywhere on earth and see your house just like it is now. Now years earlier. There program needs to be updated to real time.
The Amazon app for android does that for product search, its pretty sweet.
So what they’re saying is, if I take a picture of myself and hit search..
Google will return “God’s Gift to Women”?
This is already available on android. Look up plinkart in the market.
Not to forget Gizmo. The VoIP service, Google just purchased
I want some google goggles =] anyone wanna give me some? ha
Ha if you wear those glasses you think the paid ads are really search results and click on them..
I saw a similar iPhone App at this year’s CeBIT for augmented reality sightseeing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwtmk1ZjhY0
It’s becoming common practice to display an application’s QR Code (2-D barcode), or link to it, whenever talking about the app. This page is less useful if apps don’t have QR Codes dilplayed.
In the age of in-phone barcode scanners, leaving out the QR code is tantamount to talking about a website without remembering to link to it.
Please join others in displaying an app’s QR Code when talking about it!
yes I agree
Did anyone tried kooaba for iPhone yet (it’s also available for Android I guess)? The video looks great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cAA9fKXDCI
got this app still needs some updating