Google Goggles App Brings Search to the Real World

by Terrence O'Brien — Dec 8th 2009 at 1:37PM

Android owners just got another killer app -- Google Goggles. Goggles is a visual search app that lets you snap pictures of things like books, paintings, or landmarks, and get back Google search results. You can even snap photos of business cards -- Goggles will recognize the text as contact information and allow you to add it to your address book.

Slightly more interesting, Goggles has some augmented reality features built in. With the aid of GPS and compass data, Goggles can identify local stores and restaurants, and display the name on the screen -- there's no need to snap a photo of a local business. Then you can tap the name to get reviews and information about it.

For now, Goggles is separate search app, and sadly only available for Android (iPhone owners have yet another reason for Android envy). But if Google integrates Goggles with its regular mobile search app, which already allows you to perform voice searches, it could change the way we consume information on the go. TechRadar already has a list of 10 ways Goggles will change the world, ranging from tourism to the death of museum guides to helping clean up local businesses.

Google Goggles is a free download from the Android app store, and one more reason to ditch your iPhone for the Droid. Check out the videos below to a get a peak at how it works. [From: Silicon Alley Insider, TechCrunch, Google, and TechRadar]

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