Google Goggles was an augmented reality (AR) app developed by Google that allowed users to search for information using pictures taken with a mobile device’s camera. The app was first released in May 2010, but it has since been discontinued. In this article, we will explore what happened to Google Goggles and why it was discontinued.

What was Google Goggles?

Google Goggles was an image recognition app that allowed users to take a picture of an object or a QR code and get information about it. The app used image recognition technology to analyze the picture and search for information about the object or code. Users could take a picture of a landmark, a book cover, a business card, or a product, and the app would provide information about it.

The app was available for Android and iOS devices and was compatible with Google’s ARCore and ARKit platforms. Google Goggles was free to download and use, and it was available in multiple languages.

Why was Google Goggles discontinued?

Google Goggles was discontinued in 2018, and the app was removed from the Google Play Store and the App Store. The app had not received any updates since 2014, and it was not compatible with newer versions of Android and iOS.

The main reason for Google Goggles’ discontinuation was the development of Google Lens, a more advanced image recognition app that incorporated Google Goggles’ features and added new ones. Google Lens was introduced in 2017 and was initially available as part of Google Photos and the Google Assistant. In 2018, Google Lens was released as a standalone app for Android devices.

Google Lens vs. Google Goggles

Google Lens is a more advanced image recognition app than Google Goggles. It uses machine learning to identify objects, landmarks, and text in pictures and provides more accurate and relevant results. Google Lens can also translate text, scan barcodes, and recognize plants and animals.

Google Lens is integrated into Google’s search engine, and it can provide information about objects in real-time using a smartphone’s camera. For example, if you point your camera at a restaurant, Google Lens can display the restaurant’s name, reviews, and menu.

Google Lens is available for Android and iOS devices and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the App Store. The app is free to use and is available in multiple languages.

Conclusion

Google Goggles was a groundbreaking app that pioneered the use of image recognition technology on mobile devices. The app allowed users to search for information using pictures taken with a smartphone’s camera, and it was a precursor to Google Lens.

Google Goggles was discontinued in 2018 due to the development of Google Lens, a more advanced image recognition app that incorporated Google Goggles’ features and added new ones. Today, Google Lens is the leading image recognition app and is integrated into Google’s search engine, providing users with real-time information about the world around them.