Google has added a new feature to Chrome that can identify the objects in an image, and describe them for blind or partially sighted users.
The new tool uses the same tech as Google Lens and Google Photos to analyze pictures and generates a description that can be read aloud by a screen reader, or shown as characters on a braille display.
Chrome’s new feature, called Image Descriptions, will attempt to identify the contents of the picture and say ‘Appears to be…’ followed by its best guess. For example, it might say ‘Appears to be a dog’, letting you know that the site probably contains a picture of a dog, but that the description was AI-generated and may not be entirely accurate.
How to activate it
The new Image Descriptions feature is available for anyone who uses a screen reader or braille display. To activate it, just go to Chrome Settings > Advanced > Accessibility and select ‘Get image descriptions from Google’.
The company also recently updated Google Maps to add-detailed walking directions so you can find your way around unfamiliar places with confidence – whether you have a visual impairment, or just want to keep your phone in your pocket.
