Google Goggles (original) (raw)

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Downloadable image recognition application created by Google

Google Goggles

Google Goggles logo
Developer(s) Google
Initial release October 5, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-10-05)
Final release 1.9.4 / August 20, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-08-20)
Operating system Android, iOS
Successor Google Lens
Size 2.7 MB
Website www.google.com/mobile/goggles Edit this on Wikidata

Google Goggles was an image recognition mobile app developed by Google. It was used for searches based on pictures taken by handheld devices. For example, taking a picture of a famous landmark searches for information about it, or taking a picture of a product's barcode would search for information on the product.

Google Goggles was developed for use on Google's Android operating system for mobile devices. While initially only available in a beta version for Android phones, Google announced its plans to enable the software to run on other platforms, notably iPhone and BlackBerry devices.[1] Google did not discuss a non-handheld format. Google product manager Shailesh Nalawadi indicated that Google wanted Goggles to be an application platform, much like Google Maps, not just a single product.[2] On October 5, 2010, Google announced availability of Google Goggles for devices running iOS 4.0.[3] In a May 2014 update to Google Mobile for iOS, the Google Goggles feature was removed.

At Google I/O 2017, a similar app, Google Lens was announced that has similar functions as Goggles and uses the Google Assistant.[4]

The app was officially discontinued on August 20, 2018 with its last update directing users to download Google Lens or Google Photos upon launching the app.[5][6]

The system could identify various labels or landmarks, allowing users to learn about such items without needing a text-based search. The system could identify products barcodes or labels that allow users to search for similar products and prices, solve sudokus from photographs,[7] and save codes for future reference, similar to the CueCat from late 1990s. The system also recognized printed text and uses optical character recognition (OCR) to produce a text snippet, and in some cases even translate the snippet into another language.

In December 2011, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced its collaboration with Google to use Google Goggles for providing information about the museum's artworks through direct links to the website of the museum.[8][9]

  1. ^ PCWorld: Raphael, JR (December 8, 2009). "Confirmed: Google Goggles Will Reach Other Platforms". PCWorld. Archived from the original on February 19, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  2. ^ "Google: we plan to open up our Goggles platform". Techradar. April 14, 2010. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  3. ^ "Open your eyes: Google Goggles now available on iPhone in Google Mobile App". Google Mobile Blog. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  4. ^ Rajamanickam Antonimuthu (18 May 2017). "Google Lens announced at Google I/O 2017 - QPT". Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Google Goggles". Apps on Google Play. August 20, 2018. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Davenport, Corbin (August 16, 2018). "Google Goggles is dead, now prompts users to install Lens". Android Police. Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Busch, Jack (11 February 2011). "How to Solve a Sudoku Puzzle Instantly with Google Goggles". groovyPost. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Metropolitan Museum Enhances Online Access to Its Collections with Google Goggles". New York. 2011-12-16. Archived from the original on 2012-05-19.
  9. ^ Campbell, Thomas P. (2011-12-16). "Google Goggles". New York. Archived from the original on 2012-01-07. I'm pleased to announce a new collaboration with Google that lets you take a picture of a work of art with your mobile device and link straight to more information on metmuseum.org.