Are Google Goggles Useful Or More Hype?

It will also help with more relevant local search results by using the images taken of landmarks.

It is available on the iphone as a new camera icon (very similar to the mic button that enables voice search) and it will soon move into the other app stores.

It recognizes things like landmarks, logos and book covers, but isnt able to recognize food or animals. The official Google blog does state that they are continually working on it to make it work better, though it is a difficult task.

To get started users need to only download the updated version on their iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 devices, that should be running iOS4 and above and the app is currently only enabled for English speaking users for the time being.

Of the ineedhits team members who have used the application, the reaction has been mixed. Some found it quicker to type in the query into Googles search bar than the time to takes to take the photo. While others thought it a very quick and easy way to learn more about an unfamiliar product or landmark.

It seems were not the only ones who arent sold on Google Goggles. CNET had this to say:

We found Goggles to be hit or miss when we tested it on Android. Though for the most part weve rarely reached for Goggles as a reference tool, it has come in handy more than once while trying to identify a label on a foreign adult beverage.

If you would like to learn more about Google Goggles then the video below explains more.