It didn ’ t take long for us to get used to Googling things , instead of looking them up in books . But the process of typing words into a search box could be replaced by using the cameras on our smartphones to find the information we ’ re looking for . Blippar , the world ’ s largest image recognition and augmented reality platform , has re-launched its app to change the way we search for things and interact with the world around us . Scroll down for video . Blippar , the world ’ s largest image recognition and augmented reality platform has re-launched its app , which aims to change the way we search and interact with the physical world . Users can 'blipp objects , such as CDS and adverts to access information about them online and could soon blipp any object , such as apples ( shown ) Users will be able to use the camera on their smartphone to ‘ look ’ at any object and use the image to search for it online in the long-term . But to begin with , they will be able to use it on English-language album covers , fiction books , DVD covers and movie posters . When a user ‘ blipps ’ one of these items or images , they will be presented with a range of information about it . For example , if they blipp an album cover , they may be presented with access to videos of the band , a source to buy tickets to an upcoming concert , details on what people are saying about them on Twitter or photos of the band itself . Users have to launch the app on their phone . The new version will be out in April . They will see a view using the phone 's camera , which will show any products that are 'blippable ' . When an object is detected , users will see augmented reality content , which could take the form of a video , reviews or related information . The first blippable objects on the new app will be CDs , DVDs and film posters , but more will be added . However , the app ’ s plans are more ambitious . Blippar aims to make the entire physical world visually searchable via mobile devices and wearables . In the future , it aims to make everything blippable , from an apple or chocolate bar , to a dog on the street or even the Eiffel Tower . Web-based search as it exists today has dominated the digital experience , both online and mobile . From inputting keywords to digging through pages of links to access information , this search behaviour is limited by vocabulary and literacy . Blippar ’ s image recognition service aims to go beyond language to allow consumers to pull timely , relevant information directly from the environment around them . ‘ The human imagination , curiosity and the quest for knowledge are all often limited by our capacity to define and assign language to describe and seek answers from the world around us ’ said Blippar Founder and CEO Ambarish Mitra . Users will be able to use the camera on their smartphone to ‘ look ’ at any object and use the image to search for it , and related information online . The New York and London-based company has already rolled out inority report-style advertising . A still from the film is shown . ‘ Today marks the beginning of a new era of search , where curious users will be able to visually search the world through the lens of the Blippar app . ‘ The technology holds massive potential for enriching real world experiences and delivering genuine value to our users . ‘ The visual search is not replacing text-based search , it ’ s an alternate behaviour which satisfies people ’ s spontaneous needs of instant object focused curiosity , therefore introducing the light web. ’ The company claims that Blippar ’ s platform allows users to access information faster than using traditional online search methods . It will also use artificial intelligence to refine and personalise the visual search results for each user . The updated app will be available to download for iOS and Android in April 2015 . Last year , Blippar unveiled the first image recognition and tracking app for Google Glass wearers that shows videos , webpages , and more , simply by looking at a picture . It was the first time the technology could be used automatically , and seamlessly , just by looking at an advert . 'Blippar has already worked with thousands of the world ’ s largest brands and publishers to create engaging branded experiences that are triggered by objects , magazine pages , advertisements and more , “ blipped ” by millions of users around the world , ' Mr Mitra said . There are many visual search apps competing to win users from Google . Snap Fashion , for example , lets users take a photo of an item of clothing and finds others in exactly the same colour , which they can then buy at the click of a button .
Google Glass app will be refreshed in April to allow users to use their smartphone cameras to access information online . The long-term plan is that users will be able to use the camera on their smartphone to ‘ look ’ at any object , from apples to the Eiffel Tower . At launch , they will be able to 'blipp ' CDs , books , DVDs and film posters . The service will give them access to videos , information and reviews .