Visual Search Google Goggles Now Available For iPhone

Google last week announced the update of the Google Mobile App for iPhone. The update includes Google Goggles which was previously only available as an Android app. Google Goggles lets you take a photograph on your phone and use the picture to search for more information.

If you’re short of describing words when doing a search, this seems like an ideal app. For designers, it could be very useful for finding out more about artwork or logos that you come across when out and about. To search using the App, users tap on the camera button, the image is analyzed and recognizable objects are highlighted. You can then touch these highlights to learn more about them.

According to Google themselves,

Google Goggles works better with certain types of queries. Try taking pictures of books & DVDs, landmarks, logos, contact info, artwork, businesses, products, barcodes, or text; it can recognize up to three items at a time. Currently, it’s not so good when taking pictures of animals, plants, cars, furniture, or apparel.

The app works only on the iPhone 4 and 3GS running IOS 4 and above because it requires an auto focusing camera.

Another handy use is for networking. Instead of carrying around a pile of business cards, simply take a picture of your future client’s business card and the search results will return links for the person, with email and phone information which you can add as a contact or visit their company URL. This of course assumes that the owner of the business card has some sort of online presence.

The App appears to work very well and will be yet another free useful tool from Google for iPhone users.

Have you used the Google Goggle app on iPhone or Android yet? Do you find it useful? Do you use it as part of your design work?