Google Launches Innovative Video Search Feature
Google has unveiled an exciting new feature that enables users to conduct internet searches through video recordings. This innovative approach allows individuals to simply point their camera at an object, pose a question regarding it, and receive relevant search results.
Global Rollout and Availability
The video search feature will be accessible to Android and iPhone users worldwide starting at 17:00 GMT by activating the “AI Overviews” option in their Google app. Initially, the feature will only support English.
This development is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to transform online searching using artificial intelligence (AI). It follows a recent trial by OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which began testing a similar feature that enables users to search by asking questions to its chatbot.
Enhancing Search with AI
Earlier this year, Google introduced AI-generated results for certain search queries, which garnered mixed reviews. In May, some users criticized the feature for providing unreliable and inaccurate answers, including a bizarre suggestion for making cheese stick to pizza using “non-toxic glue.” A Google spokesperson later clarified that these were “isolated examples,” and improvements have since been made, resulting in more accurate outcomes.
As part of its strategy to integrate AI into its search capabilities, Google has also allowed users to ask questions about still images using Google Lens. This addition has increased Lens’s popularity within the mobile app, prompting the company to expand its features further.
How It Works
According to Liz Reid, Google’s head of search, this new capability will enable users to inquire about their surroundings with greater ease. For instance, a visitor at an aquarium may want to understand why a group of fish is swimming together. Rather than searching for information online and crafting a query, users can simply record a short video, ask their question aloud, and Google’s AI will analyze the footage, identify the fish, and generate relevant search results.
Expert Insights
Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore describes this launch as a significant milestone for Google. “We are witnessing AI integrated into everything, and people are naturally drawn to visual content,” he notes. “This development illustrates innovative ways to make content more accessible through search, one of the most common online activities. There is great potential for AI to foster collaboration and innovation in our daily lives, paving the way for personalized experiences based on individual usage patterns.”
Additional Features and Enhancements
Alongside the video search functionality, Google has rolled out several other updates. The company claims it has enhanced shopping results to now include reviews and pricing information from various sellers. Additionally, Google has introduced a competitor to Apple’s Shazam music identification app. This new tool, accessible via “Circle to Search” on Android devices, allows users to identify songs playing in videos or shows without exiting the app.
A Competitive Edge in the Search Market
These new features come at a time when Google is facing increasing competition in the search market, where it holds over 90% of the global share. One of its main challengers is OpenAI, which announced in July that it was testing a search feature within ChatGPT called SearchGPT. This tool lets users search the internet by posing questions to the chatbot, currently available to a limited number of users in the U.S.
OpenAI’s valuation surged to $157 billion following a recent $6.6 billion funding round from notable investors, including Microsoft. Google’s latest announcements appear to be a strategic move to maintain its dominance in the search space, even as it confronts emerging rivals.
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