iPhone App Lets You Draw and Find Similar Images on the Web

Hitachi, Ltd. has released what is probably the most useful free app for people who use the web to look up imagery on a regular basis. GazoPa for iPhone allows users to search for similar images on the web by uploading their own photos. They can even try and get pictures they have seen in the past by actually drawing sketches of what they can remember about them. It works the same if one's looking for something new, but can't describe it in words.

GazoPa is a Hitachi Web image search engine (currently in beta) that uses features from an image to search for and identify similar images on the web. In addition to pictures found using keyword searches, GazoPa offers the ability to upload your own photos, drawings, and images as search keys to locate similar images. The service also displays results as video thumbnails.

According to Hitachi, GazoPa uses image features such as color and/or shape, allowing users to look for images without typing any words. The app also has search options including color, layout, shape, as well as the ability to filter by size. An excerpt from the app's official description (iTunes) can be found below.

 

Do you want to see other images similar to a photo you take? Do you want to know what the thing is in front of you? Do you feel it is difficult to describe what you want in words? If so, GazoPa for iPhone is an ideal app for you.

[...]

GazoPa for iPhone is an intuitive and easy way in image search.

Features: 

- Search by camera; 

- Search by drawing; 

- Search by photo at album;

- Shuffle images; 

- Filter video thumbnail; 

- Filter by size; 

- Search option setting (color, standrad, layout, shape, face). 

What is probably the most important feature available in GazoPa is that search-by-drawing enables users to search for items that they have in their mind. Basically, one only needs to draw what they want to search and Hitachi’s advanced image search technology will allow them to find images similar to their drawing.

 

GazoPa is available as a free download for iPhone and iPod touch users running 2.2.1 Software Update. You need to be registered before using GazoPa for iPhone. You can register by visiting the official GazoPa website here.

 

Download GazoPa for iPhone via iTunes App Store (Free)