All Google Lens features

Google Lens is one of the most unknown services of the Mountain View company. But we already anticipate that it is an interesting tool that we can take advantage of if we know all its functions.

Google Lens is one of those utilities that many of us don't know about, although it is found in almost all Android phones and tablets, at least if they are minimally current.

What is Google Lens about?

We have already explained to you what Google Lens is, a search tool through images around us that, through a algorithm, detects similarities between photographs to, for example, search for an image of an animal or translate the text written in a restaurant menu.

The most striking aspect of Google Lens is the one that uses the rear camera, taking a photo , but it also works on phone's saved pictures and screenshots where it comes in handy.

Although there is a standalone Google Lens app, it is usually already integrated into the Google Assistant. If we don't have it installed, you can get it here:

To open Google Lens, either we will do it through the application or by invoking the Google assistant. In the latter case, it is possible to use the voice command “Ok Google” or hold down the central button of our device.

1. Once the assistant is invoked, we must swipe up, where we will find the "Feed" of the assistant.
2. Now we must press the button that appears in the lower part to the left of the microphone.

1. Note that this feature is also integrated into camera applications from some manufacturers.

Search, text identification and translation

Once we have opened Google Lens we will see that the camera has been activated or, failing that, it has requested access to the same. After this, it is already possible to start using it, so we are going to explain it step by step:

1. Now we see what we have around us, and we are in the "automatic mode" (shown as a magnifying glass on the bottom bottom), which identifies objects, food, animals and even landscapes using the rear camera.
2. If we click on the detected elements, it will identify them and offer us either search Google or translate the text.
3. As we can see, at the bottom there are other more specific modes within Google Lens.

1. If we press in the text mode, the next option to the left side, this will identify the texts that are in the photograph, with the possibility of copying the fragment that we want.

1. It should be noted that it allows to select single words to know their meaning.
2. Once we have clicked on the screen to take the picture and we have selected the element, allows us to copy the text, search for it in the browser or translate it.
3. If we enter the "translate mode" when taking the picture automatically it will detect the source language of the text and will translate it to the language that we have set as default on the device.

Shopping and food modes

We will continue explaining the two sections that exist to the right of the magnifying glass, with very specific uses:

1. The "shopping mode" uses a shopping cart icon, and works in such a way that, when taking a picture, detects the product to indicate stores that have that product or a similar one.

1. The last icon, which shows a knife and fork, corresponds to the "food mode" and is used forEasily translate a restaurant menu.

It is also possible to identify a sign for a restaurant and to offer us the different opinions of other users about that same place, including us will recommend alternative places to eat.

Animals, food and monuments

Google Lens has the ability to detect different breeds of animals. One of the most curious, that we have put to the test, is with dogs, and the truth is that it is quite close to reality.

Google Lens functions are very useful when we are in other countries, since the tool also works when identify monumentsand easily access its history or curiosities.

In addition, it also identifies everyday objects, such as plants or food:

From here we recommend trying some of its functions, since it is a service that can get you out of some trouble, for For example, if we have to convert handwritten text to digital format.

Although it is true that it is not entirely exact, it can make our task much easier. In addition, we can make phone calls if we select a number on a business card or other image.

In the Google Lens interface we also have two icons in order to assess whether the answer is appropriate or not, which helps to continue to improve the application for the future.

We've already seen that the functions of Google Lens are extensive, but it's not the only app of its kind. Without going any further, Microsoft offers Office Lens, focused on office automation, and Huawei has HiVision on its Android phones, which identifies a wide variety of elements.

Did you know Google Lens? Do you think you will use Google Lens features in your daily life or only when you visit other countries?