Google Lookout

Automatic reading and recognition app for Android devices.

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Product description

For use with Android devices, Lookout is a free smartphone app from Google that enables you choose from several recognition modes including reading text, describing images and identifying objects around you. Using your phone’s camera, Google Lookout’s Text mode will automatically detect and read aloud text, while Document mode scans and reads aloud a page of print or handwriting. The AI-powered image mode can describe images, identify products and recognise objects, either directly from your camera or from your photo library.

Google Lookout highlights

Google Lookout can be helpful for:

  • Automatically detecting printed or handwritten text and reading it aloud.
  • Detecting and reading signs.
  • Describing images, identifying products and recognising objects.
  • Identifying pictures in your phone’s photo library.
This is a very useful app that I use on my Google Pixel 6A that I was given as part of my work kit to support customers. 
Jackie, Google Lookout user
Note for magnification users: The pros and cons are listed next to each other.

Pros

  • Google Lookout is a free app.
  • One of the most accurate recognition apps.
  • Dedicated Google Disability Support service can provide support with using any Android accessibility feature, including TalkBack, Screen Magnifier and Lookout.

Cons

  • Google Lookout is only available for Android devices.

Ease of use

Easy

Set up time

Estimate: 10 minutes

Price range

Free

Learn more

Manufacturer details

You can find more information about this product by contacting the manufacturer.

Google Disability support team 

Emaildisability-support@google.com

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Our tech reviews have been selected and created by sight loss experts and people with lived experience from: Blind Veterans UK, Glaucoma UK, Guide Dogs, Henshaws, The Macular Society, Retina UK, RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Technology Association of Visually Impaired People (TAVIP) and Visionary with key input from a panel of professionals, with lived experience, from the following organisations: Berkshire Vision, Outlookers, Seescape, Sight Advice South Lakes, Sight Concern Worcestershire, Sight Airedale and The Braillists Foundation
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