Tech tips for busy Coachmakers: Brilliant free Google tools

Firstly, apologies to all those Coachmakers who are undoubtably 100 per cent familiar with the content of this tech tip briefing. Even so there could be something new for you here, and for the rest of us there are some useful applications here. All these tools need an internet wi-fi connection.

Google offers numerous free tools which are brilliant and easy to use. Google Lens is perhaps the most useful to us all and is there on the screen of our phones ready to use. To open Google Lens on your phone, click the icon at the right-hand end of the Google search bar.

On Android, the bar should be on your home screen. If you have an iPhone, you will find Google Lens within the Google app search tool, or the Google Chrome web browser app. When opened, the Lens menu looks like this:

Now point your phone at any object of interest, push the button, and Google Lens will use your phone’s camera to identify the item. The possibilities are endless:
• A bottle of wine label you want to know more about?
• Identify and obtain details of vintage, classic and modern automobiles; or types of aircraft.
• A building of curiosity? Its architecture, name and usage.
• Apparel and home goods, find similar items or retailers, research prices and availability.
• Plants and animals – specific species, breeds and care.
• Landmarks and art items; historical facts, artist details.
• Books and media.
• Barcodes and QR codes, product details and prices.

Google Translate
Note the ‘Translate’ menu selection. Point the Lens camera at a business card, foreign text or business paperwork in foreign language and receive an instant translation into English.
One of the most practical uses of Google Translate is the conversation feature. It allows you to have a live conversation with someone else who is speaking a foreign language using the AI Assistant which allows you to converse live with Google about whatever the camera sees.

Google Gemini Live
You can download this free separate app from your phone’s official app store. When you open it click the live button. In the bottom right-hand corner, Gemini will listen for your question and begin a conversation. Ask it anything you like. When you first launch it, you can set your preferred voice style – British, American, etc.

Name that tune
Reverting to the Google search bar (first image above), press the Microphone icon to enable the listening mode, press the ‘search a song’ button, then play, sing or hum the mystery tune to identify its title.

Welcome to free AI-driven Google tools.