If you wanted to make use of Google Lens, you would either need to launch the app or use an app/service that has it built-in, like Google Assistant. While this method works just fine, it seems that Google will be making some changes to Google Lens with its upcoming Pixel 3 smartphones, where apparently Google Lens will be able to work in real-time with the smartphone’s camera.
This is according to a tweet by user Ishan Agarwal where he had uploaded a video that showed how the Pixel 3’s camera can automatically detect items placed in front of it. The video has since been removed, but according to XDA who managed to see it, basically the video showed business cards being put in front of the Pixel 3’s camera and thanks to Google Lens, it was able to detect the business card and the email address on it. It then presented the user with an option to launch Gmail to send an email to that contact.
While the Google Lens app is capable of doing the same thing, one of the advantages of having Lens built into the camera app is that users can launch the camera app from the lock screen which will save them time from having to unlock their phone and launch the Lens app. We’re not sure if there are any limitations to what kind of apps can be launched while the phone is locked, but like we said, it should still save users some time.
Take this feature with a grain of salt for now but we expect that more details will be revealed on the 9th of October which is when Google is expected to announce its new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones.