Google Lens starts rolling out to first-generation Pixel, Pixel XL

Google has begun to roll out Google Lens for the first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL. Google Lens was introduced earlier this month at Google’s launch event for the Pixel 2.

First reported by Android Police, Google Lens was discovered by a Reddit user who saw the app under Photos on his Pixel XL. Since then, a number of users have spotted the feature in the Photos app on the first-gen handsets. Google Lens uses computer vision to understand what's in your photos, videos, and the world around you.

The app uses your smartphone’s camera to scan, for example, a flower and the AI will search the web for relevant information. Google will present information with action cards for opening a related app, copy the text, or open the Share menu. Google Lens is also capable of automatically connecting to your Wi-Fi network.

The update seems to be server-side, as Reddit user LaceratedCantaloupe found the tool had automatically appeared in his Google Photos app. There’s no word on when Google Lens will roll out to the Assistant, but it shouldn't be too far away.