Smart gadgets have become so smart that we might have to start calling them genius devices instead. Now, you can use the ubiquitous iPhone to quickly identify real-world objects including plants, statues and more with Visual Look Up. This tool operates like a search engine, but instead of typing in keywords, you can take real-life pictures of objects and then search for them.
One of the most popular uses for the iPhone's Visual Look Up feature is identifying plants — a famously challenging task. Many botanists train for years to be able to identify plants, and differentiating closely related species can be quite the challenge even for a keen eye.
But plant identification can prevent some rather serious headaches. For example, many plant species are dangerous to cats, dogs, and other pets. You can take your iPhone on a tour of your yard to identify any plants that could threaten your pet's safety. A correct plant ID could also save you from a bad case of poison ivy or poison oak.
If you're exploring ancient temples in Siem Reap or natural rock formations deep within caves, you may be able to use your smartphone to learn about the sights around you. As tech evolves, the barrier between the web and the regular old world continues to break down.
That said, it's best not to rely too heavily on Visual Look Up just yet. The tool is a work in progress, and while early results have been promising, inaccurate responses are still common. Still, advances in machine learning, AI, and various other technologies will almost certainly deliver continued improvements.