Google Lens Update: Cleaner Look, Fewer Features?
Google Lens Gets a Makeover, But Loses a Feature
Google's been playing around with its visual search tools, and it looks like Google Lens is getting a bit of a facelift. I've noticed some subtle changes rolling out, aiming for a cleaner look. However, it seems like it's not all good news, as one key feature is getting the axe.
The most noticeable change is the new user interface (UI). The old buttons at the bottom? Gone! Now, you only see options for Search and Translate. What happened to the Homework option? Well, it looks like Google wants to nudge you towards using Gemini for those tricky school questions. Apparently, Gemini is better suited for those tasks, or at least that's the idea.
I find that the viewfinder now stretches across the whole screen, which definitely gives it a more modern and seamless feel. It's a small tweak, but it makes a difference in the overall experience. A colleague of mine spotted this new UI on a couple of phones, including the brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 7.
But the changes don't stop there. The search experience within Google Lens has also been upgraded. Now, you can use Lens to tap into Google's AI Mode when you're using the Search option. The bad news is that the AI Mode is currently limited to folks in the US and India. However, if you're in other regions, you'll still get AI overviews in your Google Lens search results.
I think that Google wants to make sure people don't ditch Lens if they can't use Gemini, so they've also added a search feature for videos using Lens. It's a nice touch that could be very useful. It's clear that Google is trying to strike a balance between simplifying the interface and adding new AI-powered features. Let's see where they take it next.
Source: AndroidAuthority