Google introduces Live View Augmented Reality Search, as well as new and improved features.

Google Maps' 'Live Observe' function has been available in several countries for some time, allowing users to hold up their smartphones and view augmented reality directions pasted onto city streets and buildings. Google unveiled the ability to search with Live View in September of this year, giving a visual perspective to search. Google is finally ready to roll out its augmented reality search function to select locations, among the many additional accessibility, beauty, and retail elements that have already been added to search.

According to its previous statement, Google will soon begin rolling out search with Live View in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo. The feature allows users to hold up their smartphones (as they would when using the camera) and view landmarks and locations of buildings and businesses around them while panning their smartphones, making it easier to find establishments in augmented reality rather than following directions on a flat map in their smartphones. According to Google, the technology also allows users to identify and spot locations that aren't in their immediate view. Google's Live View AR markers also display associated information about businesses such as timings, crowds, and price.

While Live View search is now confined to a few places, Google has enhanced and added options to search.

Those searching for electric charging stations on Maps may now add a "rapid charge" option to their searches to identify a station with a quicker charger. In some countries, electric vehicle drivers may also search for charging stations that are compatible with their vehicle's charger type.

Finding wheelchair accessible venues or institutions, which was previously only available in a few countries, is now available internationally on both Android and iOS. To find out if a company has a wheelchair accessible entrance, just enable the "Accessible Places" feature in Google Maps and search for the wheelchair emblem on the business profile. It is also much easier to find a certain culinary dish. Users only need to put the dish's name into Maps search, and the results will now list establishments that serve it.

Google is also introducing a new AR-powered shopping and beauty service that will allow customers to find the exact cosmetic foundation colour they require. Maps currently has a photo collection with 148 models representing a wide range of skin tones, and users may virtually apply foundation to these virtual models to help them discover the appropriate skin product. When you've found the correct one, simply tap to pick the product to locate a merchant. Google has also included the ability to locate and explore shoes in AR, albeit it is still restricted to a few brands.

Author, Youssef Shnino.