New feature from iOS 17 update is ‘changing people’s lives’
- An X user has discovered a new iPhone feature
- The Visual Look Up function has been updated
- It automatically deciphers symbols like the ones on laundry labels
Published on Dec 18, 2023 at 6:58 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on Dec 21, 2023 at 1:14 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
It turns out the Photos app on your iPhone does so much more than just store your pictures.
Apple launched Visual Look Up last year, which finds useful information on your photos.
After a recent update, the feature has even more cool uses.
An X user has uncovered a new way to use it, which will have you reaching for your phone the next time it’s laundry day.
READ MORE: Former Apple employee says you shouldn’t do something that everybody does with your iPhone
If you think laundry labels look like indecipherable hieroglyphics, you’re not alone.
We couldn’t possibly take the time to learn what exactly the difference between a white circle and a black circle is, so Apple, thankfully, has come to the rescue.
An X user, Caspar, discovered this hack accidentally when swiping up on a photo he had taken of a laundry label.
Your iPhone automatically scans photos like this and translates them for you.
Simple swipe up and you’ll see exactly what each symbol means.
Sure, you could just use Google but it’s always nice to save a click.
“I’m suddenly a lot less scared of ruining expensive clothes,” Caspar said.
It’s certainly a useful feature, but it seems some people aren’t going to use it after all.
“Wow, this is amazing! I can’t wait to still just throw everything in on normal,” a commenter said.
Levity aside, Apple’s Visual Look Up function is a largely overlooked bit of technology.
It can also be used in other situations where you’re stumped by symbols.
For example, that dreaded moment a mysterious light starts glowing on your dashboard.
Simply take a photo of it and your phone will tell you exactly what’s wrong with your car.
And it doesn’t stop at symbols, it can identify all sorts of other useful things too.
Take a photo of a cat or a dog and your phone can tell you all about the specific breed.
It can also tell you more about landmarks and paintings you see.
One of the most useful functions is the recipe feature.
When you take photos of meals, your phone scans them and guesses what exactly the food is.
And it’s scarily accurate.
Simply take a photo and your phone will suggest similar recipes to the one pictured.
Recreating your favorite meal at home just got a whole lot easier.
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Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
