On October 3, 2024, Google updated its search bar with a video recognition feature. Taking image recognition technology called Google Lens a step ahead. Net surfers can now press and hold the search icon in Google Lens and ask questions about what they see simultaneously.
Google combines image recognition, voice recognition, and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to provide video search to users. However, the feature will globally support only the English language as of now.
The Key Benefits of Video Search
Google lays utmost emphasis on a user-friendly experience. It has emerged as the #1 search engine worldwide due to its dedicated services towards its users.
Google has always prioritised user ease and has always strived to provide the best, most accurate, original, and knowledgeable content to the users.
Video search is another step towards elevating user experience. With the video search feature, the users will derive the following benefits:
No More Captures
Users now no longer required to capture images to scan on Google. Rather, they can directly open the Google Lens and start recording videos while asking questions about what they see. Not only it will save time, but also it will allow the users to keep their device memory unloaded as the video will not be saved.
Capture Moving Objects
Did you like a car passing by but could not take its photograph for Google Lens? Now capture moving objects and just ask for any details.
No more headache of capturing blurry images of moving objects for Google Lens. Save time, and search hassle-free.
Enjoy Better Accessibility
Video search features will elevate the user experience also for the handicapped and people who cannot type due to any kind of deficiency.
They can Google everything they find in their surrounding and gain knowledge of the same. So, this feature makes Google more accessible.
Core Technologies Used in Video Search: AI & ML
Video search comes from image recognition. According to news reports, the Vice President of Engineering at Google, Ranjan Patel admits that “Google captures a video as series of image frames and utilises the same computer vision techniques.”
So, it is a smart use of ‘image recognition’ only. However, video, image, or voice any kind of human trait recognition by a machine utilises Artificial Intelligence as the core technology behind.
There also comes some associated technologies handy with the same. These core technologies include:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The ability of computers, electronic devices, and the internet to demonstrate human-like intelligence is called Artificial Intelligence. By human-like intelligence, we mean understanding, reasoning, problem-solving, natural language processing (NLP), logical thinking, calculative powers etc.
In the latest video search update by Google, Artificial Intelligence has a vital role. As stated above, Google will identify a video as a series of images. Then, it will try to ‘recognize’ the images by processing them.
This action is quite similar to how the human brain ‘processes’ an image in the brain and then relates it to previous learnings. Say, for example, looking at a ‘cat’, a child identifies it as he/she has learnt the same at school and home.
Machine Learning (ML)
Machine Learning is the technology by which engineers train machinery or computers to demonstrate human-like intelligence. It takes to code a program with such ‘algorithms’ that it acquires human-like intelligence. Say, for example, ChatGPT has been trained in Natural Language Processing (NLP) by Open AI developers. Through NLP training, it ‘understands’ human ‘prompts’ and also ‘performs’ prompted tasks.
Similarly, Google’s Image and Video Recognition feature has been trained by its developers to ‘identify’ the ‘visuals’ of an image or video. Then, it relates it to the most relevant information available on the net.
Simultaneously, it is also well-trained in NLP and it also recognised human voice. However, a point to be noted here is that Google first converts the speech to text. Then, through text, it shows results for the searched queries.
AI x ML
Products of AI and ML make human-like intelligence for machinery items. The products of AI and ML that Google has utilised in the video search option are as follows:
Image Recognition
By processing images and relating them to the information available on different websites, Google will provide the most relevant information to the searcher.
Voice Recognition
Google also processes human voice and converts the same to textual query. Voice recognition and processing is also a product of AI and ML.
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
As already discussed above, NLP is another product of AI and ML utilised by Google for voice recognition and processing.
How This Move Can Affect Mobile App Development Trends?
Remember, that Google keeps on raising the Customer Experience (Cx) bar higher and higher from time to time. As users get more accustomed to an elevated ‘search’ experience, their expectations from mobile applications also increase. Especially, in the E-Commerce industry where ‘search’, customer experience, and accessibility hold an important position.
As Google offers ‘search’ by text, voice, and images for a better user experience, the E-commerce giants such as Amazon also provide the same. If you open the Amazon shopping app, you will find that provides Amazon Lens to search by images and Amazon voice search in addition to a normal typing search bar.
This way, the app development industry has to be flexible and dynamic enough to incorporate the latest features into their apps. So, if you are a business planning to introduce your mobile app to your customers, then keep these points in mind:
Flexibility in App Structure Needs Room
The more advanced features you choose for your mobile app, the higher goes the development cost. However, if you are planning to launch your app in the market but right now your budget does not allow you to afford advanced search features. Then, make room for structure flexibility.
Choose a Mobile App Development Company in London that has a comprehensive and timeless Tech Stack. Technologies like Node.JS and React Native are long-lasting technologies.
So, if you can ask the development team to use these and keep the app structure flexible enough. This way, if you are not embedding video or image search to your app right now, you can do the same in future when your budget allows. But, necessarily have a room for the same.
More Emphasis on Futuristic App Design
Have you heard that AI is the only future? Well, certainly with the advent of ChatGPT, such slogans about AI flooded the tech news industry. And this is true to a good extent.
Artificial Intelligence will continue to play a pivotal role in human life. Every business industry including construction, manufacturing, real estate, healthcare, education, or any other kind of business. AI will have an important role to play in everything.
As a result, to make your mobile app futuristic, you must choose a Mobile App Development Company in the UK that masters AI and ML algorithms.
Remember, that your mobile app must demonstrate skills like NLP, smart content recommendations, image recognition, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, dark and light mode adaptability and more. Therefore, focus on a futuristic app design to provide a seamless customer experience.
Taking Universal App Designs As Responsibility
Furthermore, if your mobile app is not universally user-friendly, it harms your business image and eliminates a significant part of the target audience. Did you know that over 16 million people in the UK have some kind of disability?
Any kind of audience may come to your app to seek your services. Therefore, make sure that while choosing a Mobile app development company in the UK, you discuss your target group in detail with them.
Also, ensure that your mobile app has font size adaptability options for the visually impaired, voice recognition ability for the handicapped and blind and more such features that make your app universal.
What Technology Stack to Follow for Futuristic Mobile App Development?
However, a futuristic app design comes from a dynamic, futuristic, and evergreen technology stack. Technology is ever-evolving and obsolete fast. But, there do exist some evergreen development languages, development frameworks, database management systems, and developer tools.
A technology stack which is pioneering, open-source and developed and maintained by a large community base, must be ideal to craft futuristic mobile apps. As per experts, here is a robust technology stack ideal for the latest mobile app development:
Development Frameworks to Look for:
Tools that help an app developer find ready-to-integrate codes and UI/UX elements are called development framekworks. What Canva is to Graphic Designers, the development framework is to the developers. Futuristic development frameworks include:
Xcode
The best development framework for iOS app development is Xcode. Xcode offers frameworks like Core ML and Vision best for rapid and accurate ML integration to an app.
Be image recognition, face detection, object identification, video recognition and more. Xcode has solutions for all.
So, for iOS app development, choose a company that can provide ios app development services with Xcode development technology.
Android Studio
The most popular development framework for making Android applications is Android Studio. Android Studio is not only the pioneering development framework. But also it has the largest community support.
It goes well with libraries like Tensorflow.js, a popular code library for Machine Learning codes and ML Kit, a popular UI/UX element kit for ML products.
Therefore, always choose a company that provides Android Studio-backed Android app development services to its clients.
Tensorflow Lite
For Machine Learning elements like feature extraction, image recognition, face detection, video recognition and more, Tensorlow Lite is the most suitable platform. Tensorflow supports JavaScript, C++, Swift and Python programming languages. As a result, Tensorflow is seen as the highly compatible and universal framework for ML development.
Due to supporting all the top-notch programming languages, Tensorflow works well with development technologies like ReactJS, SwiftUI, Android Studio and Django.
Choosing an ML-driven Database Management System
Database Management Systems (DBMS) serve like the brains of a mobile application. Any type of data that a mobile app requires needs storage. Say, for example, using a social media app. A social media app stores data related to user’s profile, preferences, friendlist and more.
DBMS acts like a brain for all the mobile apps and ‘store’ and ‘remembers’ everything. Ideal DBMS for futuristic mobile app development includes the following:
SQLite
Choosing SQLite as the DBMS of your mobile app opens gateway to ultimate support to AI and ML features. For the storage, retrieval and management of metadata related to images and videos, SQLite stands out. This way, choosing SQLite helps you integrate AI and ML features.
Firebase
A more advanced framework for incorporating AI and ML in a mobile application is Firebase. Firebase offers an ML kit that does not only supports image recognition, video recognition and object dection. Rather, it also offers advance features such as bar code scanning and face detection.
So, if you need a mobile app that uses face detection for user authentication or technologies like bar code scanning. Then, Firebase is the right DBMS solution for you. Additionally, Firebase is suitable for both iOS as well as Andorid application.
Strengthening the Backend
The app structure that helps an application to store, process, retrieve and manage data or function altogether is the backend or server-side of an app. What we see such as app icons, colours, UI/UX etc. are the frontend or client-side.
If the backend development is flexible enough, it will help you to update your app with the latest technologies anytime. Therefore, choose the following Technologies for a strong backend development:
Node.JS
The most recommended environment for a robust backend development is Node.JS. It comes with built-in Tensorflow library for developing ML-driven features in an app. Moreover, Node.JS is considered best for developing AI-driven Chatbots and real-time apps.
Depending upon an evergreen programming language JavaScript, Node.JS environment stands as one of the most flexible and timeless backend environment.
Asp.Net
Raising the bar further Asp.Net is an enterprise-level backend development technology. With its ML.Net, an Machine Learning Framework, it supports speedy and top-quality development of machine learning models.
In this way, whenever you choose a mobile app development company in London, UK, make sure that it mentions Node.JS and Asp.Net mandatorily as part of its technology stack. The backend is like the skeleton of a body.
If the backend is weak, certainly the final look and feel of the app shall not be up to the mark. Also, for making futuristic apps that support AI and ML models, you need Node.JS and Asp.Net as part of the backend development.
The Right Programming Language
Apart from development frameworks and DBMS, programming languages also play a pivotal role in making future-oriented apps. The apps built with most evergreen programming languages enjoy longevity of existence.
Also, AI and ML technologies utilise some pioneering programming languages. So, having your mobile app built on these universal languages, help you stay flexible and evergreen. These languages include:
- Python
- PHP
- JavaScript
If planning to own an app in 2024-25, as an app owner you must focus on the emerging technologies. You need to make sure that your app offers an ultimate customer experience with highly user-friendly interface. Furthermore, as AI is the only future, your app must also demonstrate human-like intelligence. If your budget does not allow for it right now. Leverage a timeless technology stack that offers sufficient flexibility. So that you may integrate these features in the future as soon as your budget allows.
The Story Does Not End Here, Google Continues to Raise The Bar Further
Furthermore, remember that this is not end but beginning of the story. Google is yet to raise the bar further. Video search is only the beginning and there is more to come. Google has given a statement that their developers’ team is working towards the further development of voice and video recognition. Soon, the Googlers will be able to identify the ‘voice’ of birds and may be other animals too. So, stay ready to experience more and apply what you learn to your business app as well. Being successful in providing the top-notch customer experience through your business app will bring you higher business repute in addition to attracting more customers towards your business.
Prime Star 
Waqar Hussain 
Hasnat Rasool