Is there an app to identify landmarks? Well, when we are traveling or sightseeing, we might come across a landmark. But we can’t identify it, so we want to know what exactly is that landmark and what’s the story behind it.
If there are no signs, then we’ll have no idea what we’re looking at. Luckily, some apps can identify landmarks. What are some of those apps? Let’s discuss that below.
Google Lens
Google Photos can be your personal guide with the power of Google Lens. yes, Google Lens is not just useful when you’re actually out. It’s most useful when you’re looking at the photos you took from years ago but can’t remember what something from the picture was.
So, to use the Google Lens feature, you’ll need Google Photos installed on your device. Besides, you don’t need to upload your photos to the Cloud. Because Google Photos will automatically draw them out from your library and use them.
On the other hand, when Google Lens has a hard time identifying a landmark, it will give you a message such as, “Hmm, not seeing this clearly yet.” and if Google Lens can’t get it right away, then a reverse image search isn’t going to be much helpful either.
How to Use Google Lens
- Find the image in Google Photos. Open up your Google Photos app on your device. Then locate the image with the landmark you’re trying to identify.
- Scan the landmark in the image. After selecting the photo you want to identify, tap the lens icon in the bottom menu bar. Google will then start to scan the image.
- Get the result. After scanning, Google Lens will identify it. It will highlight the identified feature. A card will pop up with the name of what was matched. It will also include “quick facts” about it. You can also do a reverse image search in case the photo is not yours and you want to locate the original photographer.
Blippar
Blippar now has an augmented reality feature that recognizes famous landmarks. Well, the London-based startup continues to work on its own AR engine. And it just released a new computer vision feature that will tag well-known physical landmarks.
Additionally, Blippar’s new landmark recognition feature will recognize more than 2,000 landmarks in the world, including famous sports arenas. So, in that way, people can point their smartphones at these objects in the real world and identify them.
The landmark recognition feature only uses computer vision to identify the structures. It will not use GPS or location information from your phone. Thus, this is a key for object recognition to work. Even when the user is not physically near the object.
Still, the giants with this technology are Apple and Google. But Blippar happens to be neighbors with now.
Blippar first launched in 2021 as a tool for marketing and advertising. But now, Blippar pivoted. And it’s now focusing more on broader object recognition. Yes, Blippar now sells what is essentially an AR-making platform for other businesses, called Blipparbuilder.