Imagine the scenario – It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, and you find yourself in the mood to try out a new recipe. You stumble upon a mouthwatering image of a delectable dish on your iPhone. However, you can’t help but wonder how you could recreate it in your own kitchen.
Frustrated, you start searching through various cooking apps, hoping to find a similar recipe. Little do you know that Apple has a surprise in store for you.
During Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, no major AI updates were announced, but hidden within the latest iPhone software, iOS 17, were a few captivating computer vision enhancements.
As the conference concludes, you excitedly navigate through Apple’s website, exploring the features of iOS 17. Suddenly, you stumble upon a teaser page and discover the unexpected – a groundbreaking capability called Visual Look Up.
With Visual Look Up, you can now transform the captivating photo of that mouthwatering dish into a gateway to a world of culinary delights. iOS 17’s computer vision algorithms analyze the image, recognizing its components and extracting vital information. Seamlessly, the software suggests a wide range of recipes similar to the dish in the photo – tailored to your preferences and dietary restrictions.
Although there isn’t much information available about the exact workings of the feature, it seems quite straightforward at first glance. In iOS 17, there will be a functionality to identify food photos, allowing users to search for similar dishes.
For example, in a provided illustration, a picture of bowls of quinoa leads to suggested recipes for other quinoa-based meals, particularly breakfast dishes.
If this feature functions as described, it could serve as a convenient way to find cooking inspiration without the need to extensively search the internet. However, it may not be capable of directly guiding users to the exact recipe for the depicted dish.
The introduction of this feature is another example of Apple subtly guiding users away from relying on Google Search by encouraging them to initiate their queries directly on their iPhones. In this particular case, the search results provided would lead users to the respective recipe websites, bypassing Google.
In previous years, Apple’s enhancements to Spotlight have allowed users to skip Google searches by providing them with quick access to Wikipedia pages or information about actors, movies, shows, and musicians through special cards in the search results.
However, the primary focus of Spotlight’s major update this year is not on web searches. Instead, it’s a highlight called “Top Hits” or common app shortcuts when searching for an app. For example – if you search for the Photos app, it may suggest shortcuts such as Recent or Favorites.
In iOS 17, there are also enhancements to Visual Look Up, which enable users to pause videos and access information about the subject by tapping on an info icon. This same tool can be used to gather information about objects that you have removed from your own photos, a feature introduced in iOS 16.
This feature allows users to pick up objects from their photos by simply pressing their finger on the screen. The system can identify various objects, such as pets, plants, landmarks, and more. The extracted image can then be easily pasted into a text message or other applications, adding an entertaining aspect to the feature.
In iOS 17, Apple introduced Live Stickers, a new feature that enables users to transform cutouts from their photos or paused videos into stickers. These stickers can be enhanced with effects and are accessible across the iOS 17 ecosystem, including third-party applications.
By providing users with the ability to create and use personalized stickers, Apple aims to enhance the expressive and creative possibilities for iOS users. This feature adds another layer of customization and fun to the iOS experience, fostering greater engagement and enjoyment for users in their digital interactions.
In conclusion, iOS 17 brings several exciting features that enhance the user experience and offer new possibilities for creativity and convenience. The ability to search for similar dishes based on food photos and the improved Visual Look Up functionality empower users with quick access to relevant information.
The introduction of Live Stickers takes personalization to a new level, allowing users to transform their own photos and videos into customizable stickers that can be used across the iOS ecosystem. With these updates, Apple continues to innovate and provide users with powerful tools to explore, express, and engage with their digital world.
iOS 17 promises to make everyday tasks more seamless and enjoyable, further solidifying Apple’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users!