Google has announced new features coming to the Chrome browser on iOS, including an integrated Lens feature that allows users to search using their device cameras. Currently, Lens can be accessed in Chrome on iOS by long-pressing on an image while browsing. In the future, users will also be able to search using photos from their camera roll. This update is expected to roll out in the coming months. Google Lens helps users simplify image-based searches by identifying plants, translating languages instantly, and more.
In another update, Google declared that users no longer need to switch apps to look up an address they encounter in Chrome on iOS. If users press and hold a recognized address in Chrome, a mini Google Maps will display the location right within the browser.
Moreover, creating Google Calendar events directly from Chrome has now been made possible, eliminating the need to switch apps or manually transfer information. Users simply have to press and hold a recognized date and opt to add it to their Google Calendar. Chrome will then auto-populate the calendar event with key details like time, location, and description.
Google is also enabling users to translate a section of a webpage by highlighting the text and selecting the Google Translate option. “As our AI models become more refined, Chrome’s capability to identify a webpage’s language and suggest translations has improved,” the company shared in a blog post. For instance, if users are planning a museum visit in Italy and the website is in Italian—a language they don’t understand—Chrome will automatically suggest translating the museum’s site into their preferred language.