Latest news with #GoogleLens
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Google launches AI Mode in search across India
Use text, voice, or photos Since voice and visual searches are very popular in India, AI Mode supports questions through text, voice or images. You can simply tap the microphone icon to speak your question—ideal for long queries or when you're on the move. You can also snap or upload photos using Google Lens to ask detailed questions about what you see. For example, if you receive a new plant and want care advice, just take a photo and ask AI Mode: 'What's this plant? How do I repot it and care for it?' AI Mode will identify the plant and provide step-by-step guidance along with helpful links. You can then follow up with questions like, 'Where should I place it at home for best growth?' Helping you explore the best of the web AI Mode helps users find exactly what they're looking for, including the subtle details, by displaying relevant web content in various formats. This creates new opportunities to discover useful information online. The system is built on Google's quality and ranking standards and uses new techniques to improve accuracy. When AI Mode is unsure, it will show standard search results instead. As an earlystage AI product, it may not always be perfect, but Google is committed to continuous improvement. Launching AI Mode as an experiment in Labs allows Google to gather user feedback and make the experience better over time.
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
How Google Lens Helps Me Explore My Latest Obsession Hobby
I'm always on the lookout for new ways to connect with nature and unwind. I moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida a few months ago and since then, I have been searching for new ways to explore the sandy shores and clear waters of the beautiful beaches near me. Enter my latest passion: shelling. CNET What started as a casual beach activity has blossomed into a full-fledged hobby involving collecting, diving for and identifying the incredible diversity of seashells the ocean offers. I've found and identified hundreds of shells at this point. And the tool that helps fuel this hobby is perhaps unexpected, but it's right in my pocket -- and yours. One of the most exciting tools I've integrated into my shelling adventures is Google Lens, which is Google's AI-powered visual search tool that uses your phone's camera to upload pictures to do additional research. (Apple also has Visual Search and Google offers Circle to Search for Android devices, which function similarly to Lens, but I prefer Lens' ease of use.) Gone are the days of poring over heavy field guides or books on a windy beach, trying to match a tiny shell to a grainy illustration. Now, when I find a shell that sparks my curiosity, I simply snap a picture with my phone and open it in Google Lens. Presto! Answers! Read also: Google Lens Became My Favorite Travel Tool. Here's Why It Changed the Game Google Lens is my digital shelling buddy Lens is quite magical. I simply upload a photo I've taken of a shell (or birds, fishes, clouds and just about anything else I'm curious about), and then it analyzes the image, looking at the shell's shape, color, texture and any distinguishing features. Within seconds, it provides me with a list of visually similar images and often links to websites and databases that identify the species. I love that Google Lens cites sources and links out to them, so I can fact-check the given answers and dive even deeper into my queries. With the links and additional resources, I can learn about the scientific name, common names, habitat and interesting facts about the mollusk that may have once called that shell home. This instant access to information has dramatically deepened my understanding and appreciation for each find. Google Lens analyzes the image, looking at the shell's shape, color, texture and any distinguishing features. Macy Meyer/CNET Why Google Lens is a shelling game-changer Macy Meyer/CNET There are several reasons why I've come to rely on Google Lens so heavily for my shelling hobby: Instant identification: The speed and efficiency means no more waiting until I get home to research my finds. This can help me decide what shells I keep and which I leave. (I leave most of what I find, but more on that later.) The speed and efficiency means no more waiting until I get home to research my finds. This can help me decide what shells I keep and which I leave. (I leave most of what I find, but more on that later.) Accessibility: All I need is my phone, which I usually have with me anyway. All I need is my phone, which I usually have with me anyway. Accuracy (with a caveat): While it's not always 100% perfect, Lens is surprisingly accurate for many common species. For rarer or highly variable shells, it provides a great starting point for further research. While it's not always 100% perfect, Lens is surprisingly accurate for many common species. For rarer or highly variable shells, it provides a great starting point for further research. Learning tool: Beyond just identification, it often links to valuable resources that teach me more about the marine ecosystem, which deepens my appreciation for my home. Beyond just identification, it often links to valuable resources that teach me more about the marine ecosystem, which deepens my appreciation for my home. Inspires further exploration: Sometimes, Lens will identify a shell that I've never seen before, leading me down a rabbit hole of research and inspiring my next shelling expedition to a new location. My responsible shelling practices While my enthusiasm for shelling runs deep, my respect for the ocean and its inhabitants runs even deeper. It's crucial to practice this hobby responsibly to ensure the health of our marine ecosystems. Macy Meyer/CNET Here's how I ensure my shelling is always respectful and eco-friendly, and how you can too if you decide to start shelling as a hobby: Empty shells only: This is the golden rule. Never take live shells. Before picking up a shell, I carefully check for any signs of a living creature inside, including hermit crabs. If there's any doubt, I leave it be. Live mollusks are vital parts of the ecosystem. This is the golden rule. Never take live shells. Before picking up a shell, I carefully check for any signs of a living creature inside, including hermit crabs. If there's any doubt, I leave it be. Live mollusks are vital parts of the ecosystem. Leave live creatures undisturbed: If I'm diving and come across a live mollusk, I admire it in its natural habitat but never disturb it or attempt to remove it. Their homes are their protection. If I'm diving and come across a live mollusk, I admire it in its natural habitat but never disturb it or attempt to remove it. Their homes are their protection. Check local regulations: Before I head out, I always research the local regulations regarding shell collecting. Some areas are protected or have limits on what can be collected. Before I head out, I always research the local regulations regarding shell collecting. Some areas are protected or have limits on what can be collected. Leave the majority: I'm not looking to amass a giant collection. I select a few unique or particularly beautiful shells that catch my eye, leaving plenty for others to enjoy and for the natural processes of the beach. I typically end up leaving 90% of the shells I find. Shelling has opened up a whole world of wonder for me as a new Floridian, allowing me to connect with the ocean in a truly unique way. With the help of technology like Google Lens and a strong commitment to responsible practices, it's a hobby that has quickly become my preferred special interest and way to spend my time. Read also: The 6 Google AI and Lens Features I'm Using to Plan My Summer Travel
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Fashion discovery was broken, so Myntra rebuilt it
For the past 18 months, Myntra has been building a content ecosystem designed to solve one of the most significant consumer friction points in fashion shopping: discovery. Until now, most e-commerce marketplaces have been designed in a way that treats discovery like a scavenger hunt. Generic filters and endless scrolling have diminished the joy of finding that perfect product, one that makes the consumer feel good and confident about their decision. The greatest strength of e-commerce marketplaces, their vast catalogue, has become a marketing nightmare. Platforms attempt personalised recommendations and semantic search, but shopping for fashion online still does not feel as easy or effortless as it should. Meanwhile, consumer behaviour is evolving rapidly. The shopper's journey no longer begins in a storefront or search bar, but when they are scrolling through social media or consuming entertainment. Spotting what a celebrity wore at the Met Gala might lead to a quick Google search, or a Google Lens scan to discover similar products listed online. But this journey is not intuitive. People want to be inspired first, and then they shop. Myntra is betting its future on that idea. Instead of rebuilding its catalogue, it is rebuilding the top of the funnel. In mid-2022, the platform launched Myntra Minis, short-form influencer videos embedded directly into the app's shopping interface. Over 150,000 videos have been uploaded to date. Sunder Balasubramanian, CMO of Myntra, told ETBrandEquity, 'Minis gave us a wealth of insights into how people interact with influencer content. Shoppers loved the inspiration, but Gen Z, a key cohort for us, sought relatability. They wanted to know: what are people like me wearing and buying?' Then in 2024, Myntra launched Ultimate Glam Clan , a programme that transforms the average shopper into a creator. Any user can upload a photo or video of something they have bought on Myntra. If someone purchases through that post, the creator earns a commission. Myntra saw modest success through these initiatives: 1 million users signed upOver 1 million posts uploaded4.5 billion impressions deliveredTop content viewers watched 30 to 40 videos per sessionA 20%+ uplift in conversion rates among content-exposed users Last week, Myntra rolled out its most ambitious content-to-commerce experiment yet: Glamstream . 500 hours of celebrity-led content4,000 episodes across music videos, podcasts, web series and styling shows100+ celebrities, in partnership with 50+ content creators and studios Balasubramanian stated, 'We are not just experimenting with content formats. We are trying to understand what kind of content converts on a commerce platform. Nobody knows that yet.' This layer of content is fully shoppable and is designed to both inspire shoppers and enable purchases simultaneously. Users can not only see what their favourite creators or celebrities are wearing, but also browse a curated list of similar products displayed below the video and add items to their cart instantly. The back-end has evolved at a similar pace. The initial MVP (minimum viable product) relied on manual tagging. Today, machine learning auto-tags fashion products in videos using visual similarity and catalogue data. Like most brands, Myntra is still on the learning curve when it comes to building a successful social commerce business in India. In 2021–22, the company launched M-Live, a live commerce platform that failed to take off. The key learning was that appointment-based viewing did not resonate with Indian users. Especially among Gen Z, browsing is spontaneous, often happening during a commute or just before bed. According to Balasubramanian, phase one is about building adoption and understanding user behaviour. Then comes scaling and personalising content to match individual preferences. Once that is in place, brand integrations and monetisation will form phase two. But it is still early days for the platform. 'Currently, 16% of monthly active users engage with content. Our goal is to take that up to 50%,' noted Balasubramanian. 'Next, we are building creator pages (for influencers and everyday users alike), metrics like likes, followers, earnings, and a personalisation engine, so that each user sees a content feed tailored to their fashion preferences.' While content-to-commerce is not new, most brands still rely on affiliate links and traffic redirection to drive purchases. If Myntra succeeds, it will have made content-to-commerce journeys more effortless and intuitive, potentially changing how consumers in India shop for fashion online.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
NotebookLM Opens Up to a Wider World. Meet Its New Curated Collection of Expert Insights
I started using Google's nifty NotebookLM to sort through and make sense of my documents, notes, and stray bits of information. Now, the AI tool is getting a new series of "featured notebooks" from a variety of sources for all of us to explore. Google announced the new feature on Monday, along with partnerships with respected publications to supply a curated collection of notebooks that will grow over time. NotebookLM is a unique and powerful notetaking and research tool, and it's my overall favorite piece of AI kit available. Google continues to introduce new features that make it into a powerhouse for learning and research that you can use for school, work, play or somewhere in between. Here's what you need to know about the new featured notebook collection. For more, don't miss how Google Lens can be your personal travel tour guide. A few featured notebooks for starters Right now, the collection of featured notebooks is somewhat limited, though it will grow as time goes on. There are currently eight notebooks for you to explore: Each notebook allows you to explore the original sources, view a mind map, and listen to a pre-made Audio Overview. That's in addition to the ability to ask questions based on the sources in the chat, which is NotebookLM's simplest and most obvious use case. Google has partnered with both The Economist and The Atlantic, so you can expect to see additional collections of notebooks on the way from these publications. Public notebooks made featured notebooks possible Last month, Google introduced the ability to mark your notebooks as public so you could share them with anyone you wanted to. Google said there have been over 140,000 public notebooks created. While that's a bit tough to assess without additional data points, the introduction of public notebooks paved the way for featured notebooks. Previously, your creations were available to you and only you, unless you'd upgraded to the premium version of NotebookLM. More features on the way We know of at least one more feature that NotebookLM will eventually offer, and that's Video Overviews. Audio Overviews are already great -- so much so that Google has added them to more of its products. The introduction of Video Overviews will definitely appeal to those who could easily tune out when listening to audio or are more visual learners. There's no specific date attached to their arrival, outside of the "coming soon" timeline Google provided in a blog post during the Google I/O conference in May. The AI- and web-focused tech site Testing Catalog has been ahead of the game when it comes to discovering new features or features that Google is testing for NotebookLM. Here's what else they've managed to spot that could be on the way. AI flashcards: You can already create study guides with NotebookLM, but a new feature that could be of great benefit to students is the ability to generate flashcards on the fly based on your content sources. Discover sources via Google Drive: NotebookLM lets you find new sources in the Discover Sources section. You type in what you're looking for, and it scour the web for relevant content. Soon, that search may extend to Google Drive. Interactive Quizzes: Google's making NotebookLM a go-to assistant for students, and it might add interactive quizzes based on your sources. Microsoft Word doc support: Right now, when you're trying to select a source from Google Drive, you can only choose between Google Docs or Google Slides. In the future, it appears that NotebookLM might gain support for adding Microsoft Word docs that are also in your Drive, too. For more, don't miss the 11 things you should stop using ChatGPT for right now.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
My Summer Travel Is So Much Easier Thanks to Google Lens: How to Use It Like a Pro
I'm no stranger to finding useful tech hacks to make life easier, but I never expected to become a regular user of Google's new AI-powered visual search tool. Google Lens uses your phone's camera to highlight objects in the real world and gives you more information about them. I use it regularly in my every day life to quickly find information, like to identify seashells I find on beach walks or translate food labels in my local Asian grocery store. But I found there's one task that Google Lens is especially helpful for: traveling. I'm not alone in finding Google Lens helpful while on vacation; Google has shared different ways travelers can take advantage of Lens' Visual Search features. To learn more, I spoke with Dounia Berrada, senior director of engineering for Google Lens, about how the team is trying to make the camera a more intelligent search aid and travel companion. "Everyone is familiar with how you can ask questions with text and voice. With Google Lens, you can also ask questions with images," Berrada said. Google Lens has a few limitations, considering most of the features can't be used in offline mode. Still, it might be the smartest free tool already sitting on your phone. For more Google features, explore how I use Google Maps for stress-free travel and the six Google AI and Lens features I'm using to plan my vacations. 6 ways to use Google Lens during your travels Translate signs and menus on the spot CNET One of the biggest perks of Lens while traveling is its instant translation feature. I use this feature at least weekly when I visit Cuban restaurants here in Florida or visit my favorite Asian markets and need help reading the packaging. I simply hold up my phone, tap the Lens icon in the Google app and the screen's text transforms into English in real time. The text doesn't come up as a pop-up but appears directly over the original words of whatever I'm needing to translate. During travels, this feature can help translate street signs, public transport maps and menus. Verify vacation rentals before you book The other day, I was perusing Airbnbs in Costa Rica, as I've always wanted to visit. I saw a suspiciously underpriced rental, so I reverse image searched the listing photos using Lens. Turns out, the same pictures appeared on a real estate site for a property in another country. That was enough of a red flag for me to walk away and think about Costa Rica another time. Berrada told me Lens wasn't designed specifically to catch scammers but giving people more visual context before making decisions on lodging is very much part of the product's mission. For me, it's an easy way to do some quick background checking so I feel more confident in where I'm staying and I'll probably use it anytime something feels off. Ask questions about what you see Macy Meyer/CNET Ever found yourself staring at a painting in a museum, totally intrigued but with no idea what you're looking at? That was me just a few days ago when I was standing in front of a surreal piece at the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg. Even though I wrote an 80-page thesis on surrealism as an undergraduate, I'm still not an expert art history major. But I was wishing I had access to one when I was looking at the strange and disturbing Daddy Longlegs of the Evening Hope painting. Google Lens was helpful when I pointed my phone's camera at the painting and asked it to tell me more about the work of art. I got an AI Overview that broke down key details, like who made it (I knew this), when it was made and what materials were used (given to me by the plaque next to the painting), but more interesting, why it matters and a breakdown of what the imagery is likely representative of. Lens then offered links to websites to dive deeper if I wanted to. This feature helps you make sense of what you're seeing in real time. It also allows you to speak your question aloud while snapping a photo. It's kind of like turning to a friend and saying, "Wait, what is this?" and getting an answer right then and there. Deep dive with the About this image feature Macy Meyer/CNET When I was visiting my older sister in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently, I snapped a photo of some bizarre clouds that looked almost like a thick, wavy blanket covering the entire sky as far as the eye could see. I've never seen anything like it before. I used the About this image feature in Google Lens to figure out what I was actually looking at. It showed me how the photo (and ones like it) were being used across the web -- from weather blogs to social media platforms to fact-checking sites -- and helped me learn that these are undulatus clouds, appearing as "cloud streets" because they look like parallel bands or rows. Whether you encounter an odd image online or in real life, this tool provides quick context and helps you understand what different sources are saying. Summarize and translate text from a photo Google When you're traveling, you never know what kind of text you'll run into that'll need translating -- menus, handwritten signs, museum placards, notes from an Airbnb host. With Google Lens, you can snap a picture of any text and instantly get a summary, ask questions about it or copy it to your clipboard. The feature can also annotate the image, such as highlighting dishes on a menu that meet your dietary preferences, so you're not stuck translating. I can imagine using it to quickly find vegetarian dishes on a local menu or to make sense of a scribbled transit schedule at a rural train stop. Berrada said she has personally used this feature to translate recipe cards in French that her mother gave to her, so she can share the English translation with her husband. Whether you're navigating a new city or just trying to decode a note left by your Airbnb host, it's a handy tool for making the unfamiliar feel a bit more manageable. Get souvenir details instantly when traveling Google Imagine you're wandering through a street market in Tokyo or browsing a boutique in Lisbon and spot something you'd love to bring home -- a unique canvas tote bag (my personal souvenir of choice), a pair of sunglasses or a handmade clothing item. With Google Lens, you can snap a quick photo and instantly pull up product details, including prices at other retailers, current deals, shopper reviews and shipping information if you're wanting to ship it back home. It's an easy way to figure out if you're getting a good price or if it's worth waiting to buy later. Even in a store, Lens can show you if similar items are in stock elsewhere nearby or online, whether the price is competitive and what other travelers or shoppers have said about it. It takes the guesswork out of impulse buys, especially when you're on the go. "This is my absolute favorite use case with Lens. I love it for shopping," Berrada said. Berrada explained that the tool taps into a massive shopping graph with more than 50 billion listings that are constantly updated and drawn from online sources and local stores. It then shows the exact product you're looking at, along with the best available prices, so you can compare options before making a purchase. If you're not set on buying that exact item, Lens also provides visually similar alternatives and products with comparable features, such as lightweight materials or enhanced durability. She also shared a personal example from a recent trip to Paris, where she used Lens to scan apparel she saw in a store. The feature helped her decide whether to buy the item locally or wait until returning home, factoring in currency differences and availability of local brands. For more, see our traveler's prep checklist and how to improve your odds of not having your flight canceled or delayed.
