Observed Signal · Sep 29, 2022 · Technical Release · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google to Combine Text and Images in Lens Search
At its Search On event, Google announced plans to make search more visual with a new "Kombi-Suche" (multi-search) feature in Google Lens. The feature lets users combine images and text in a single query. It is currently available in English and will roll out to more than 70 languages, including German, in the coming months. A local variant, "In meiner Nähe" (Near me), will launch in the US in fall 2022. Google also unveiled an immersive view for Google Maps, using computer vision and prediction models to provide multidimensional, live views of locations. The immersive feature will expand to London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo. Additionally, Google is using GANs to translate text directly into images, enabling seamless visual translation.
Major platform update from Google integrating AI into core search and Maps products, influencing user discovery behavior and visual search capabilities across the digital ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google announced "Kombi-Suche" (multi-search) for Google Lens, combining text and image inputs in one search.
- The multi-search feature is initially available in English and will roll out to over 70 languages.
- Google's local search feature "In meiner Nähe" (Near me) will launch in the US in fall 2022.
- Google Maps will receive an immersive view, expanding to London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo.
- Google is using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to insert translated text seamlessly into images.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mapped“Google hat Pläne, um seine Suchfunktion in Zukunft noch deutlich stärker auszubauen und vor allem wesentlich visueller zu machen....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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US Government Excludes Microsoft from Visa Program
The US government has barred Microsoft from participating in the permanent residency process for foreign workers with H-1B visas, accusing the company of abusing the program. Vice President JD Vance stated that Microsoft laid off 6,000 American employees last year while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visa holders. The Department of Labor, led by Keith Sonderling, will not accept new permanent residency applications from Microsoft, as well as several consulting firms and Adobe. This action comes weeks before the midterm elections and reflects the Trump administration's broader criticism of the H-1B program, which it claims disadvantages American workers. Microsoft has not yet responded. The move could impact the tech industry's ability to retain skilled foreign talent.
US suspends Microsoft, Adobe from green card labor program
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the suspension of Microsoft and Adobe from its Permanent Labor Certification program, along with Cognizant, Infosys, Capgemini, Tata, Wipro, and HCL. Secretary Keith Sonderling cited active federal investigations for Microsoft and Adobe, and criticized the companies for allegedly taking jobs from American workers. Vice President JD Vance specifically accused Microsoft of replacing laid-off workers with H-1B visa holders. Microsoft responded by defending its hiring practices, stating that the majority of its U.S. employees are Americans and that most H-1B petitions are for existing employees. The announcement was made during a White House summit on H-1B fraud, coinciding with President Trump honoring several tech CEOs with the National Medal of Science.
Amazon unveils new Alexa tablets with AI and Google Play
Amazon has announced a new generation of tablets under the Alexa brand, including the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 8. All devices run on Android, integrate the AI assistant Alexa+, and for the first time offer direct access to the full Google Play Store, allowing users to install apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Gmail alongside Amazon services. The tablets feature various screen sizes, processors, and battery lives, with prices starting at $229.99. A special Kindle reading mode and new kids' models with parental controls have also been introduced. Sales begin in North America on October 8, with shipping from October 14, and European availability, including Germany, starts October 19.
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