Google Photos for Desktop Web Gets Google Lens Functionality

Google Lens uses optical character recognition (OCR) to analyse texts from images.

Advertisement
By Satvik Khare | Updated: 12 April 2021 12:01 IST
Highlights
  • Google Lens expands from mobile devices to desktop web browsers
  • OCR analyses text on images and converts it machine-encoded text
  • Google integrated Lens in Photos for mobile apps last month

Google Photos for desktop Web can now identify and search for texts present on images

Google Lens is now available for Google Photos on desktop Web browsers. Google will be able to identify text through optical character recognition (OCR). The process of identifying text through Google Lens retains the same animation of pulsating dots all over the image. Last month, Google had integrated the Lens function into the Google Photos app on Android to scan saved images. Also, Google has recently adopted a new logo for its Lens app that symbolises its camera function better than before.

The new feature was first spotted by 9to5Google and was independently verified by Gadgets 360. When users open an image with a body of text on it, Google will show the option Copy text from image appearing on the left of the previously available options of share, edit, zoom, and other controls. Selecting the option triggers the familiar Google Lens animation of pulsating dots all over the image. Users can also choose which part of the text they want to analyse selecting the option Deselect text and selecting the by highlighting it with the cursor.

OCR is a very useful tool in analysing handwritten, typed, or printed text and converting it into machine-encoded text. This feature is one of Google Lens' most convenient features and it is the only Lens feature available on Google Photos for desktop Web. The feature doesn't recognise plants or monuments currently.

Advertisement

Earlier this year, Google Photos integrated Google Lens to scan already saved images directly from the gallery in Android devices. The tool is available to users at the bottom of the screen along with Share, Edit, and Delete options. Also, Google Photos for Web added the Explore tab in March. The new tab categorises photos under People, Places, and Things.

Advertisement


Why did LG give up on its smartphone business? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Later (starting at 22:00), we talk about the new co-op RPG shooter Outriders. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: Google, Google Photos, Google Lens
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Lava Agni 4 Battery Details Leaked Ahead of Launch in India on November 20
  2. Oppo Announces Launch Date for Find X9 Series in India
  3. Top OTT Releases This Week: Baramulla, Maharani Season 4, Bad Girl, and More
  4. iPhone 18 Pro Models to Sport 'Transparent' Rear Panel, Tipster Claims
  5. Oppo Could Launch the Reno 15 Series During Its Double Eleven Event
  6. Poco F8 Pro Retail Box Leak Hints at 'Sound by Bose' Branding
  1. Google Reportedly Starts Rolling Out Gemini Assistant in Android Auto
  2. iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max Tipped to Sport 'Transparent' Rear Panel, Hole Punch Display Cutout
  3. ChatGPT and Gemini Carry Gender, Race, Ethnic and Religious Biases, Claims Study
  4. Google Finance Updated With Prediction Market Data From Kalshi, Polymarket
  5. Perplexity Partners With Snapchat to Power the AI Search Experience in the App
  6. The Vincent Staples Show Season 2 Now Streaming on Netflix India: What You Need to Know
  7. Ekka OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch This Kannada Action Movie Online
  8. Crypto Firms Form Global Alliance to Standardise Stablecoin Payments
  9. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP2 De-NOx, Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 Launched in India: Price, Features
  10. Lava Agni 4 Battery Capacity Details Leaked Days Ahead of Launch in India
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.