Google Visual Search Coming Soon to Android

Several sources have shared the news that "Google Goggles," publicly known as Google Visual Search, will be "coming soon" to an Android phone near you. Rather than typing in the search term, you will be able to just take a picture with your phone and search results will be returned. The new search was recently featured on CNBC's "Inside the Mind of Google." Unfortunately Goggles didn't pass muster with a recent focus group, so it could be a while before Google decides this is ready to hit the streets.

Comments

Why don't they focus on things that matter?

[bogaboga]

I wonder why folks at Android (read Google) do not focus on web functionalities that matter in today's age.

Heck, we need Flash and PDF capabilities by default. Yes...by default. I know there are apps for these but "default" is the key word here. Now what's wrong with that?

Secondly how come Google's own Google Maps works better on the iPhone than Android phones? It should be the other way round...after all it's their product.

Come on Google do something.

Re:Why don't they focus on things that matter?

[Enderandrew]

bogaboga was complaining Google wasn't doing anything about PDF as a web functionality.

My point is that Google already takes care of PDF web functionality.

And actually, if someone mails me a PDF, they're sending it to Gmail, and Gmail will render the PDF as HTML.

Re:Great Idea, but...

[edumacator]

That's just eye candy. The real benefit of this is if you a barcode, or a bottle of laundry detergent or a distant landmark, like Stone Mountain in Georgia, and then get relevant information. I know what Stone Mountain is, but someone from out of town wouldn't, so they wouldn't have the name to search...and location based option, while useful, would give you WAY too many results.

That said, it'll be nice on a few rare occasions, but generally it will be used just for fun. As long as it is free, that's fine with me.

Re:Sixth sense here we come

[Anonymous Coward]

I was going to reply to your previous rant about how GOGLE ARE TEH EVAL, but instead I'll reply here.

99(.9999)% of people don't care about their data enough to sacrifice Google's useful services, nor should they. The proof of the pudding is in the eating - most people are well aware of Google's [Service Data -> Advertisment] business model, but they still use Google services (and those that aren't clearly don't care about their data).

• Most people have enough sense and humility to know they're not the centre of a paranoid conspiracy.
• Targeted advertising is vastly preferable to spamvertisments, and it suits both me and the retailer to offer these. Given that this is the primary reason they collect data (paranoid delusions aside), then I don't see a problem here.
• Data is a much better currency than money - for most people, it's getting rid of something you don't care about in exchange for something you want - it's a good deal.
• Google haven't done anything that would disadvantage Joe Q Public (NB: corner cases Joe Q). What you're saying is like turning down a free lunch because "it might be poisoned", something only a paranoid head-case would consider.
• My data is not my soul. Do you work for a news(paper/network/desk)/blog, or do you just use hyperbole as a matter of course?
• If you don't like it, don't use it. The rest of us don't care, and it's our problem if it backfires. Stop proselytising.

I would love to hear your fantasy of what's going to happen when Google rise up and destroy us all with precious data, I really would. I can always use a good chuckle.

Yes, I can already hear the cry of "U DNT CARE ABOUT DATA? THEN WHATS UR SSN/PIN/CCN+N, LOL???!". Well, I don't putting my SSN/PIN/CCN+N into Google (nor into anything but an encrypted session), and they offer me services, so why would I give it to you when you offer me nothing?