The app will continuously scan scenes to deliver search results

Dec 8, 2011 19:31 GMT  ·  By

Google has just made available for download a new flavor of their Google Goggles application for devices running under the Android operating system, with a major improvement packed inside, namely continuous mode.

For those out of the loop, Goggles offers users the possibility to scan images, paintings, barcodes, and more and to receive search results on these straight on their Android device. The app relies on the camera packed with these devices.

In the new Google Goggles 1.7 app, users will be able to receive results for their searches without having to take a picture.

Basically, Goggles has been modified to scan scenes continuously to provide users with info on what interests them without the need to take multiple photos.

“The new continuous mode works best with books, products, artwork, and landmarks. Snapshot mode is still available, and has some tricks that aren’t in continuous mode yet, including translating text and adding a contact,” David Petrou, software engineer, explains in a blog post.

“Also, images recognized in continuous mode sessions won’t show up in your Goggles Search History, so if you’d like to refer back to something, such as a painting in a gallery you should use snapshot mode.”

Since Goggles is also capable of recognizing texts, users will be provided with results that are related to that text. When scanning an article in a magazine, for example, users will be provided with a link to an online version of it, for easy sharing with friends.

“You won’t even need the entire article in the frame. Goggles will also pull up more information from pages around the web where that text is mentioned, so it’s easier to learn about what you’re seeing,” Petrou continues.

The search results suggestion section in Goggles has been enhanced as well. Suggestions for users could become the search results for next users who will use the application for receiving info on the same item.

“I’ve added a snapshot of the album cover from my old band so that my fans can use Goggles to find out about our music online. Now, if a fan searches for the cover of our album, they will see the information I suggested, along with my name and link to my Google profile,” David Petrou explains.

The new Google Goggles 1.7 was made available for download for all devices that are based on Android. However, in order to benefit from the new Continuous Mode, users will have to have a device powered by Android 2.3 or newer OS flavors.

The application is available for download via the Android Market now. Users can also download it by scanning the QR code to the left.

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