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Google Photos may not make headlines on a regular basis, but the tool has a long history that spans decades. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, I caught up with the co-founder of Google Lens Lu Wang To discuss the evolution of visual search at Google and two new features being rolled out now.
In July 2001, Google launched its own image search tool after Jennifer Lopez first broke the Internet in her iconic green Versace dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Over the next decade, it evolved from text queries for images to reverse image searches using uploaded images or URLs.
In 2017, Google took the next leap in visual search with its launch google lens. Lens was initially integrated with Google Photos and Google Assistant, then moved to the main search box. With an introduction Multiple search – Combine text and image inputs – and Research circle – Enable contextual image search without switching apps – Google gave people a new way to search: using the camera instead of text alone.
During the boom in AI over the past couple of years, AI mode has been integrated, Live capabilities researchVisual Thinking Powered by Gemini Models, “Find the Look” Fashion. Matching outfit And multiple image search inputs make image searching more natural and intuitive than ever before.
Read also: The 6 AI and Google Lens tricks I rely on for smooth, hassle-free travel
New ways to explore and create images in Google
In addition to Visual Search Timeline, Wang said Google is introducing two new features in Google Images and Search.
A browsable home for Google Images
Wang said Google is rolling out a browsable homepage for Google Photos, which features a dynamic, real-time photo gallery tailored to a user’s interests with tabbed collections to track saved ideas.
Similar to creating a board on Pinterest or creating a collection on TikTok, you can save thematically similar visuals in one location for easy access. Let’s say you’re looking for a trip to Malaysia, for example. You can create a collection titled “Malaysia” which will appear as a tab at the top of the main gallery, where you can save all your inspiring ideas or trip ideas in one place.
This feature will be available in the coming weeks on US desktop in English.
You can save ideas and images into organized collections.
Creating images in artificial intelligence overview
Google is also working on bringing live photos to its AI Overviews feature in search, according to Wang. Use text prompts supported by the latest Banana nano modelWith it, you’ll be able to create high-quality, personalized visuals to bring your idea to life.
Let’s say you want to paint a room in your house, for example, but you can’t decide whether a light or dark color would look better. You can use this tool in AI Overviews and write something along the lines of “Create an image comparing a master bedroom with gold-yellow walls versus green walls.” The AI overview will then create a personalized image to help you make a decision.
This new feature will arrive in the coming weeks in regions where it currently supports photo creation Artificial intelligence fashion. It will be available in English.
Wang said customer demand is constantly pushing the technology beyond its initial limits, prompting Google to focus on creating natural and intuitive ways to answer complex questions through any combination of audio, text and visuals.
“Especially with these AI models, we have the ability to do more to get to more of that natural, intuitive expression of the question,” he said. “I think that’s what we’re focusing on more and more: How do you allow people to really express these questions intuitively and then obviously answer them as best we can?”
