With the release of Circle to Search (CtS) and Gemini Live’s camera mode, Google Lens has been forced to take a backseat.
Knowing that the tools offer overlapping functionality, Google started giving Lens a clearer reason to exist alongside CtS. The tech giant repositioned Lens as a dedicated tool for real-world visual queries, and queries around images in your gallery. CtS, on the other hand, handles the load of on-screen queries.
Now, Google again seems to be subtly making a change in Lens’ role, and it comes via a minor UI change.
Gemini, for reference, already offers advanced homework solving features that can help students learn instead of just plagiarizing. The tech giant wants to position the flagship AI tool as a comprehensive solution for homework help, one that users come to first. And it is beginning to do so by removing the dedicated homework feature from Google Lens.
Rolling out gradually
Old (left), new (right)
First spotted by the folks over at Android Authority on the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, Lens’ camera view bottom bar now only highlights Search and Translate in a new combined pill-shaped UI. Previously, this section was divided into three separate pills, with a dedicated one for Homework.
Elsewhere, the new conjoined pills are floating, which means the camera view can now extend all the way to the bottom of your phone’s screen.
For what it’s worth, the redesigned UI hasn’t made its way out widely just yet. We checked it on a Pixel 8 and a Galaxy S23 FE, and both are still stuck on the old UI. Android Authority pointed out that they saw this on their new Z Fold 7. Our Z Fold 7 review unit still retains the old UI, suggesting that the rollout is either gradual or a very limited test.
Do you still use Google Lens, or are CtS and Gemini Live more appropriate for your needs? Let us know in the comments below!
