Google Go picks up Google Lens integration, ability to read text out loud

Google is making it easier for users in emerging markets to access information around them via Google Lens.

• Google Go is getting Google Lens integration.
• You can point your camera at a piece of text and Lens will start reading it out loud.
• The feature is available with 14 languages at launch.
• There's also a live translation feature that works on-device.

Google Go is getting a pretty significant update that allows it to read text out loud. Announced at I/O 2019, the feature is part of a broader Google Lens integration into Google Search that works the following way: you point your camera at a wall of text, and Lens will automatically start reading the text out loud.

What's even more impressive is the translation service, with Lens translating text in real-time from over a dozen languages at launch. Google says it was able to bring the size of the dataset down to just 100KB, making the translations available instantly on-device. The feature is particularly useful for those that don;t understand a particular language. The example illustrated above is a powerful use case that shows off just how empowering the feature is in emerging markets like India.

Live translation is the latest in a long list of features that Google has integrated into its lightweight search app. The feature is rolling out later this month, and while it's also coming to the full-fledged search app, it's going live on Google Go initially.