Google Goggles gets release target for iPhone

Google on Monday clarified its promise to release Google Goggles for iPhone. Speaking at Stanford University's Hot Chips conference, Goggles head David Petrou committed to having the iPhone version available by the end of this year. No reason was given for the delay over the Android version, which launched in December and is now built-in to Android 2.1 and beyond.

The app has been considered a highlight for Android as it provides a true visual search based on results from a smartphone's own camera, recognizing objects and turning up links to shopping sites when relevant. It's now considered essential as it can scan the QR codes Android uses for direct shortcuts to apps in Android Market.

Apple's devices have been technically capable of using Goggles ever since the iPhone 3GS added the autofocus needed to get a reliable picture. Google's app could be more accurare on the iPhone as tap-to-autofocus should be more precise than the usual automatic-only Android function. A front camera still rare in Android would raise the option of capturing some objects without having to hold them behind the phone.

Regardless of platform, Google is still developing an open programming interface to support Goggles for third-party apps that could use it as a single-purpose tool. Future plans could involve augmented reality and have the app identify objects just by pointing the camera, rather than having to take a photo and wait for a scan of the final shot. [via PC World]

By Electronista Staff