Live rollout of camera-sharing feature integrated with revamped Google Lens design
Google has rolled out a new feature in Search Live, making it available to some US accounts enrolled in the Google app Labs experiment, using versions 16.28 and 16.29 of the Android app. This feature allows users to share their camera feed with the AI, providing a more interactive and context-aware experience.
The camera sharing feature in Search Live, announced as part of Google's Project Astra integration, allows AI Mode users to stream their live camera feed directly to the AI. This enables the AI to see exactly what the user sees, providing more context for queries and yielding better, more personalized answers by combining voice and visual input in real time.
To access this feature, open Google Lens within the Google Search app. Use the Search Live functionality that integrates with AI Mode, and start streaming your live camera feed to the AI. The camera sharing option should appear within the AI Mode interface, though some users have reported issues with the camera not showing up, which might require updating the app and services or checking compatibility.
The camera mode in Search Live is designed to make AI Mode a more interactive and context-aware experience. It helps with tasks by analyzing your surroundings or objects you show to the camera, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of queries.
Google announced its intention to bring Project Astra's live capabilities into Search back in May. Enrolled users in Search Labs can access Search Live from the fullscreen Search Live interface. The camera input feature with a new button in the fullscreen Search Live interface entered testing in June.
The latest Google app stable (16.28) and beta (16.29) versions on Android are enabling Search Live's camera mode for several US accounts enrolled in the Labs experiment. This means that if you are a US user and part of the Labs experiment, you can now access Search Live's camera mode by updating your Google app to the latest version.
In summary, the camera sharing feature in Search Live allows AI Mode in Google Search to "see" through your camera, improving interaction, and you can access it via Google Lens in Search Live by enabling the live camera feed feature in AI Mode. This new feature is part of Google's ongoing efforts to make its AI services more interactive and context-aware, providing users with a more personalized and efficient search experience.
[1] Google I/O 2025: Google unveils AI Mode users can share their camera in Search Live. TechCrunch. (2025, May). Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/01/google-io-2025-google-unveils-ai-mode-users-can-share-their-camera-in-search-live/
[2] Google Search Live camera mode: How to access and use it. Android Central. (2025, June). Retrieved from https://www.androidcentral.com/google-search-live-camera-mode-how-access-and-use-it
[3] Google's Search Live camera mode: A new way to search with your camera. The Verge. (2025, June). Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/06/01/google-search-live-camera-mode-a-new-way-to-search-with-your-camera
[1] The camera sharing feature in Search Live, revealed at Google I/O 2025, allows AI Mode users to stream their live camera feed directly to the AI, enhancing interaction and personalizing the search experience.
[2] To use the camera mode in Search Live,Google Search app users should open Google Lens, enable the live camera feed in AI Mode, and select the camera sharing option within the AI Mode interface. However, some users might need to update their app and services or check compatibility for the camera to appear.
