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Google working on new Android camera app that recognizes objects

According to a report from SlashGear, Google is looking to combine the technologies used in its Goggles app and visual search tool with the standard Google Camera app. In doing so, the default stock Android camera will be able to recognize products and objects, then search for them.

If the site’s anonymous sources are to be believed, Google won’t just combine the visual search technology with the app, it also wants to give users a more intuitive way to select objects. Rather than just rely on an algorithm, or app, to detect the objects or text within a photo, the app in testing will let consumers draw around their desired object.

By using this outlining method, the user essentially tells the app which object is important, and tells it to ignore any unimportant information outside the line. This technology also links directly to information relevant to the object, allowing users to learn about or purchase that particular item.

While the perfect use case seems to be smartphones, the site’s sources also indicate that it could be used in a ‘wearable computing device’. Given the fact that Android Wear watches generally don’t have built-in cameras, it’s probably safe to assume that they could have Google Glass in mind. Or perhaps even a VR headset that hasn’t been announced yet. It might even make an ideal additional feature for the as-yet unannounced new Enterprise Edition of Glass being handled by the Project Aura team.

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