Latest news with #GoogleLens
ITV News
2 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Grace's guide to using AI to shop better
With nearly 60% of consumers admitting to using AI to help them shop, could this be the way forward when it comes to retail purchases? From honest feedback on outfit choices to using Google images to search for something you've seen on the go, AI has many useful tools to ensure you find the right product and are spending your cash wisely. Grace Forell is here to show us how to make the most out of AI tools when you shop. What are AI shopping assistants? Essentially a personal shopper in digital form. There are numerous AI tools available that are free to use that can revolutionise how you shop - Saving you time and money in the process. There are tools that help find the best prices, find outfits and interiors you've spotted online or in the street and even give advice on what suits you. How to find products with Google Lens: Use the Google Chrome app, which is free and easy to download. In the search bar you'll see a camera icon. Use this to take photos of things you see or analyse photos or screenshots on your phone. This is a useful way to instantly identify an outfit or product you spot or find out more about something you've seen. ASOS style match for similar alternatives: On the ASOS app which is free to use and download. In the search bar, use the camera icon to take or upload a photo of an outfit or garment. ASOS will then suggest similar items. If you've seen a vintage piece of clothing you like, take a photo of it and you can use ASOS style Match to help you find something similar. Using ChatGPT to make sure the product is right for you: Ideal for use on desktop or phone. Free to use and you can pretty much ask it anything. Great for price analysis, looking at customer and expert reviews and suggesting better alternatives. For example: You spot a sofa you love but it's expensive. Take a screenshot, upload it to ChatGPT and explain 'I love this sofa but it's beyond my budget of X. Is it worth the investment? And can you recommend some dupes?' You can also ask 'are there any negative features of this sofa I should be aware of'? TOP TIP: Be as specific as possible, e.g. 'Can you suggest some dupes that cost X, made from X material, available to buy now in the UK'. And you can use ChatGPT for style advice too? ChatGPT can also recommend styles, cuts and colours based on your skin tone and body shape using the camera feature. Upload photos with no make up, in natural lighting and see what it suggests. You can upload photos of your body shape but be cautious as although OpenAI doesn't claim to hold on to images or conversations, it's best not to put sensitive images online. Gemini can help with grocery shopping Google Gemini can be used for creating shopping lists and meal planning. If you give a list of what you have at home, Gemini will create a shopping list that only includes the items you're missing. If you have specific dietary restrictions, Gemini can suggest suitable recipes. It can provide ingredient-based searches, if you give a list of ingredients you have, it will suggest recipes you can make with them. Saving Money: Gemini can suggest cheaper alternatives for certain ingredients. Organisation and Efficiency: it can also organise your shopping list by grocery store aisle (e.g., produce, dairy, canned goods) to make your shopping trip more efficient. How to use Amazon Rufus to find specific features Rufus is a built-in Amazon AI assistant. Look for the speech bubble with a star icon on the Amazon shopping app. It suggests products based on your search and purchase history and helps you find the products you need based on specific criteria. For example, if you are looking to buy a parasol you can ask Rufus for recommendations. If you're looking for one that blocks UV light, Rufus will narrow the search based on that criteria. You can also ask Rufus what other features are important to look for when buying a parasol. Klarna AI chatbot for product suggestions Klarna's AI chatbot allows you to have a conversation about the products you're looking for. For example: If you say you are looking for a new sofa, discuss the style and colour you want and ask what would work best with the wall colours. Klarna will suggest several. You can also ask which have the best reviews, then save your chosen sofa to your wishlist. Use with caution as it can be a little inaccurate e.g. showing wrong size clothes or deadlinks, but it's a useful way to get inspiration and see what's out there without having multiple tabs open. What's the best site for spotting interiors?
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Google launches AI Mode in search across India
Use text, voice, or photos Since voice and visual searches are very popular in India, AI Mode supports questions through text, voice or images. You can simply tap the microphone icon to speak your question—ideal for long queries or when you're on the move. You can also snap or upload photos using Google Lens to ask detailed questions about what you see. For example, if you receive a new plant and want care advice, just take a photo and ask AI Mode: 'What's this plant? How do I repot it and care for it?' AI Mode will identify the plant and provide step-by-step guidance along with helpful links. You can then follow up with questions like, 'Where should I place it at home for best growth?' Helping you explore the best of the web AI Mode helps users find exactly what they're looking for, including the subtle details, by displaying relevant web content in various formats. This creates new opportunities to discover useful information online. The system is built on Google's quality and ranking standards and uses new techniques to improve accuracy. When AI Mode is unsure, it will show standard search results instead. As an earlystage AI product, it may not always be perfect, but Google is committed to continuous improvement. Launching AI Mode as an experiment in Labs allows Google to gather user feedback and make the experience better over time.
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
How Google Lens Helps Me Explore My Latest Obsession Hobby
I'm always on the lookout for new ways to connect with nature and unwind. I moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida a few months ago and since then, I have been searching for new ways to explore the sandy shores and clear waters of the beautiful beaches near me. Enter my latest passion: shelling. CNET What started as a casual beach activity has blossomed into a full-fledged hobby involving collecting, diving for and identifying the incredible diversity of seashells the ocean offers. I've found and identified hundreds of shells at this point. And the tool that helps fuel this hobby is perhaps unexpected, but it's right in my pocket -- and yours. One of the most exciting tools I've integrated into my shelling adventures is Google Lens, which is Google's AI-powered visual search tool that uses your phone's camera to upload pictures to do additional research. (Apple also has Visual Search and Google offers Circle to Search for Android devices, which function similarly to Lens, but I prefer Lens' ease of use.) Gone are the days of poring over heavy field guides or books on a windy beach, trying to match a tiny shell to a grainy illustration. Now, when I find a shell that sparks my curiosity, I simply snap a picture with my phone and open it in Google Lens. Presto! Answers! Read also: Google Lens Became My Favorite Travel Tool. Here's Why It Changed the Game Google Lens is my digital shelling buddy Lens is quite magical. I simply upload a photo I've taken of a shell (or birds, fishes, clouds and just about anything else I'm curious about), and then it analyzes the image, looking at the shell's shape, color, texture and any distinguishing features. Within seconds, it provides me with a list of visually similar images and often links to websites and databases that identify the species. I love that Google Lens cites sources and links out to them, so I can fact-check the given answers and dive even deeper into my queries. With the links and additional resources, I can learn about the scientific name, common names, habitat and interesting facts about the mollusk that may have once called that shell home. This instant access to information has dramatically deepened my understanding and appreciation for each find. Google Lens analyzes the image, looking at the shell's shape, color, texture and any distinguishing features. Macy Meyer/CNET Why Google Lens is a shelling game-changer Macy Meyer/CNET There are several reasons why I've come to rely on Google Lens so heavily for my shelling hobby: Instant identification: The speed and efficiency means no more waiting until I get home to research my finds. This can help me decide what shells I keep and which I leave. (I leave most of what I find, but more on that later.) The speed and efficiency means no more waiting until I get home to research my finds. This can help me decide what shells I keep and which I leave. (I leave most of what I find, but more on that later.) Accessibility: All I need is my phone, which I usually have with me anyway. All I need is my phone, which I usually have with me anyway. Accuracy (with a caveat): While it's not always 100% perfect, Lens is surprisingly accurate for many common species. For rarer or highly variable shells, it provides a great starting point for further research. While it's not always 100% perfect, Lens is surprisingly accurate for many common species. For rarer or highly variable shells, it provides a great starting point for further research. Learning tool: Beyond just identification, it often links to valuable resources that teach me more about the marine ecosystem, which deepens my appreciation for my home. Beyond just identification, it often links to valuable resources that teach me more about the marine ecosystem, which deepens my appreciation for my home. Inspires further exploration: Sometimes, Lens will identify a shell that I've never seen before, leading me down a rabbit hole of research and inspiring my next shelling expedition to a new location. My responsible shelling practices While my enthusiasm for shelling runs deep, my respect for the ocean and its inhabitants runs even deeper. It's crucial to practice this hobby responsibly to ensure the health of our marine ecosystems. Macy Meyer/CNET Here's how I ensure my shelling is always respectful and eco-friendly, and how you can too if you decide to start shelling as a hobby: Empty shells only: This is the golden rule. Never take live shells. Before picking up a shell, I carefully check for any signs of a living creature inside, including hermit crabs. If there's any doubt, I leave it be. Live mollusks are vital parts of the ecosystem. This is the golden rule. Never take live shells. Before picking up a shell, I carefully check for any signs of a living creature inside, including hermit crabs. If there's any doubt, I leave it be. Live mollusks are vital parts of the ecosystem. Leave live creatures undisturbed: If I'm diving and come across a live mollusk, I admire it in its natural habitat but never disturb it or attempt to remove it. Their homes are their protection. If I'm diving and come across a live mollusk, I admire it in its natural habitat but never disturb it or attempt to remove it. Their homes are their protection. Check local regulations: Before I head out, I always research the local regulations regarding shell collecting. Some areas are protected or have limits on what can be collected. Before I head out, I always research the local regulations regarding shell collecting. Some areas are protected or have limits on what can be collected. Leave the majority: I'm not looking to amass a giant collection. I select a few unique or particularly beautiful shells that catch my eye, leaving plenty for others to enjoy and for the natural processes of the beach. I typically end up leaving 90% of the shells I find. Shelling has opened up a whole world of wonder for me as a new Floridian, allowing me to connect with the ocean in a truly unique way. With the help of technology like Google Lens and a strong commitment to responsible practices, it's a hobby that has quickly become my preferred special interest and way to spend my time. Read also: The 6 Google AI and Lens Features I'm Using to Plan My Summer Travel
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Fashion discovery was broken, so Myntra rebuilt it
For the past 18 months, Myntra has been building a content ecosystem designed to solve one of the most significant consumer friction points in fashion shopping: discovery. Until now, most e-commerce marketplaces have been designed in a way that treats discovery like a scavenger hunt. Generic filters and endless scrolling have diminished the joy of finding that perfect product, one that makes the consumer feel good and confident about their decision. The greatest strength of e-commerce marketplaces, their vast catalogue, has become a marketing nightmare. Platforms attempt personalised recommendations and semantic search, but shopping for fashion online still does not feel as easy or effortless as it should. Meanwhile, consumer behaviour is evolving rapidly. The shopper's journey no longer begins in a storefront or search bar, but when they are scrolling through social media or consuming entertainment. Spotting what a celebrity wore at the Met Gala might lead to a quick Google search, or a Google Lens scan to discover similar products listed online. But this journey is not intuitive. People want to be inspired first, and then they shop. Myntra is betting its future on that idea. Instead of rebuilding its catalogue, it is rebuilding the top of the funnel. In mid-2022, the platform launched Myntra Minis, short-form influencer videos embedded directly into the app's shopping interface. Over 150,000 videos have been uploaded to date. Sunder Balasubramanian, CMO of Myntra, told ETBrandEquity, 'Minis gave us a wealth of insights into how people interact with influencer content. Shoppers loved the inspiration, but Gen Z, a key cohort for us, sought relatability. They wanted to know: what are people like me wearing and buying?' Then in 2024, Myntra launched Ultimate Glam Clan , a programme that transforms the average shopper into a creator. Any user can upload a photo or video of something they have bought on Myntra. If someone purchases through that post, the creator earns a commission. Myntra saw modest success through these initiatives: 1 million users signed upOver 1 million posts uploaded4.5 billion impressions deliveredTop content viewers watched 30 to 40 videos per sessionA 20%+ uplift in conversion rates among content-exposed users Last week, Myntra rolled out its most ambitious content-to-commerce experiment yet: Glamstream . 500 hours of celebrity-led content4,000 episodes across music videos, podcasts, web series and styling shows100+ celebrities, in partnership with 50+ content creators and studios Balasubramanian stated, 'We are not just experimenting with content formats. We are trying to understand what kind of content converts on a commerce platform. Nobody knows that yet.' This layer of content is fully shoppable and is designed to both inspire shoppers and enable purchases simultaneously. Users can not only see what their favourite creators or celebrities are wearing, but also browse a curated list of similar products displayed below the video and add items to their cart instantly. The back-end has evolved at a similar pace. The initial MVP (minimum viable product) relied on manual tagging. Today, machine learning auto-tags fashion products in videos using visual similarity and catalogue data. Like most brands, Myntra is still on the learning curve when it comes to building a successful social commerce business in India. In 2021–22, the company launched M-Live, a live commerce platform that failed to take off. The key learning was that appointment-based viewing did not resonate with Indian users. Especially among Gen Z, browsing is spontaneous, often happening during a commute or just before bed. According to Balasubramanian, phase one is about building adoption and understanding user behaviour. Then comes scaling and personalising content to match individual preferences. Once that is in place, brand integrations and monetisation will form phase two. But it is still early days for the platform. 'Currently, 16% of monthly active users engage with content. Our goal is to take that up to 50%,' noted Balasubramanian. 'Next, we are building creator pages (for influencers and everyday users alike), metrics like likes, followers, earnings, and a personalisation engine, so that each user sees a content feed tailored to their fashion preferences.' While content-to-commerce is not new, most brands still rely on affiliate links and traffic redirection to drive purchases. If Myntra succeeds, it will have made content-to-commerce journeys more effortless and intuitive, potentially changing how consumers in India shop for fashion online.
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
NotebookLM Opens Up to a Wider World. Meet Its New Curated Collection of Expert Insights
I started using Google's nifty NotebookLM to sort through and make sense of my documents, notes, and stray bits of information. Now, the AI tool is getting a new series of "featured notebooks" from a variety of sources for all of us to explore. Google announced the new feature on Monday, along with partnerships with respected publications to supply a curated collection of notebooks that will grow over time. NotebookLM is a unique and powerful notetaking and research tool, and it's my overall favorite piece of AI kit available. Google continues to introduce new features that make it into a powerhouse for learning and research that you can use for school, work, play or somewhere in between. Here's what you need to know about the new featured notebook collection. For more, don't miss how Google Lens can be your personal travel tour guide. A few featured notebooks for starters Right now, the collection of featured notebooks is somewhat limited, though it will grow as time goes on. There are currently eight notebooks for you to explore: Each notebook allows you to explore the original sources, view a mind map, and listen to a pre-made Audio Overview. That's in addition to the ability to ask questions based on the sources in the chat, which is NotebookLM's simplest and most obvious use case. Google has partnered with both The Economist and The Atlantic, so you can expect to see additional collections of notebooks on the way from these publications. Public notebooks made featured notebooks possible Last month, Google introduced the ability to mark your notebooks as public so you could share them with anyone you wanted to. Google said there have been over 140,000 public notebooks created. While that's a bit tough to assess without additional data points, the introduction of public notebooks paved the way for featured notebooks. Previously, your creations were available to you and only you, unless you'd upgraded to the premium version of NotebookLM. More features on the way We know of at least one more feature that NotebookLM will eventually offer, and that's Video Overviews. Audio Overviews are already great -- so much so that Google has added them to more of its products. The introduction of Video Overviews will definitely appeal to those who could easily tune out when listening to audio or are more visual learners. There's no specific date attached to their arrival, outside of the "coming soon" timeline Google provided in a blog post during the Google I/O conference in May. The AI- and web-focused tech site Testing Catalog has been ahead of the game when it comes to discovering new features or features that Google is testing for NotebookLM. Here's what else they've managed to spot that could be on the way. AI flashcards: You can already create study guides with NotebookLM, but a new feature that could be of great benefit to students is the ability to generate flashcards on the fly based on your content sources. Discover sources via Google Drive: NotebookLM lets you find new sources in the Discover Sources section. You type in what you're looking for, and it scour the web for relevant content. Soon, that search may extend to Google Drive. Interactive Quizzes: Google's making NotebookLM a go-to assistant for students, and it might add interactive quizzes based on your sources. Microsoft Word doc support: Right now, when you're trying to select a source from Google Drive, you can only choose between Google Docs or Google Slides. In the future, it appears that NotebookLM might gain support for adding Microsoft Word docs that are also in your Drive, too. For more, don't miss the 11 things you should stop using ChatGPT for right now.
