'Search-with-Camera' option disappears from Google Now

Towards the end of 2012, a nifty add-on was seen on Google. A Google Search update came out from Google Now and added a “Search-with-Camera”  feature. Now, that feature is missing from the options menu.

“Search-with-Camera” basically allowed you to use Google Search along with your mobile phone camera. Users could shoot a picture of whatever they wanted to, which the Search analysed. If the search engine found something interesting, the results would be shared via notifications in the status bar.

This application was primarily thought of as a Google Goggles integration. The updated Goggles app, which followed “Search-with-Camera” last year, also allowed users to track objects faster. Apart from all the uses this feature could have with Goggles stuff, it was also really useful for scanning QR codes or Barcode.

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Google Search disables “Search-with-Camera” option (image credit:AndroidPolice)

However, according to a report by Android Police, when the Search 2.5 update hit, the “Search-With-Camera” feature could no longer be seen. As reported earlier, voice commands had also been integrated as an update which came up on Google Play. Now though, the voice commands cannot be used either. According to reports, the camera search has completely been disabled.

While the technical reason behind how the feature has been found, the logical reason behind the decision is unclear. “Search-with-camera” is a useful feature that allows users to directly click and search for landmarks, a barcode or QR code, a product, a storefront, or a popular image. The search could also process multiple languages.

Google’s removal of this feature seems both pointless and takes a useful tool away from Android users. Hopefully, Google will re-integrate this feature through future updates.