On Monday , Google ’s Play Store release astandalone app versionof Lens , its simple machine learning - power tool for identifying objects captured by a machine ’s tv camera that comes desegregate into the party ’s search engine and virtual Assistant .

According toDroid LifeandCNET , the Lens app amounts to a quick - launching icon for the service on Android gadget where the functionality is not already build in or buried deeply in bill of fare . Upon boot the app , users are greeted with a viewfinder that can be used to target nearby objective for analysis with Lens , like so :

Google recentlyadded a routine of featuresto Lens admit tangible - clip “ impudent text selection ” that can be used to copy textual matter from objects in the real humans , shopping prick , and an improved UI , so releasing a standalone app is one mode for Google to stick in new users and get them to act as de facto genus Beta testers .

Argentina’s President Javier Milei (left) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., holding a chainsaw in a photo posted to Kennedy’s X account on May 27. 2025.

According tothe Verge , Lens has antecedently only been integrated into aboriginal camera apps for Pixel devices and handful of smartphones manufactured by Sony and OnePlus , though at its late I / O developer conference Googlenamed 10 manufacturersin amount initially selected to have the functionality inserted into one of their devices . The Verge wrote that the version release on Monday does not yet appear to be compatible with a wide range of phones :

Even though you may download it , the Lens app does not seem to be compatible with all Android devices . For instance , it will work with Samsung Note 8 , but not with the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus . Other user have reported the app not work on Moto Z Play , Nokia 7 Plus , and the Xiaomi Mi A1 . On Google Play , the app says it call for Android Marshmallow and above .

Google has beenhyping Lensfor months , though as colleague Patrick Lucas Austinrecently write , its object realisation skills are not quite quick for primetime and feel somewhat like a half - operable prototype . In the farseeing run , Wired noted , rent Google peek through the eyes of your television camera may come in with a powerful damage to your privacy . Paired with the troves of data the company already collects on its drug user , Lens could avail Google maintain the monumental competitive reward it already has used toachieve a digital ad duopolywith Facebook .

William Duplessie

[ CNET ]

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