Google has found a novel way of making an educational tool go viral – by adding a selfie feature to its free Arts and Culture app.
The app is traditionally a hub for art and culture news from around the world, including news and features on modern and classic art, architecture and museum exhibits.
Now, a limited number of users in the US are able to take a selfie in the app and then have Google’s algorithms and machine learning analyse it before offering an artwork doppelganger.
Hey this one ain’t so bad. pic.twitter.com/er0FxZNVO8
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 13, 2018
This google arts and culture app is pretty amazing. Feel real strong about my 40% ? pic.twitter.com/2iyexRkUG5
— pw (@petewentz) January 14, 2018
Results from those able to use the feature have been posted online, prompting a race to the App Store and Google Play for others wanting to get in on the selfie action.
Thanks everyone for sharing your awesome #GoogleArts #selfie matches!? This mobile experiment (accessible at https://t.co/DUuzxlMKCd) is currently available in parts of the US. Stay tuned as we try to improve and expand! pic.twitter.com/FCUbYG6No8
— Google Arts&Culture (@googlearts) January 15, 2018
Most have been left disappointed, with no word from Google on when or even if the feature will be made more widely available.
Such has been the wave of excitement, though, that the app has jumped towards the top of the App Store free download charts.
nobody could possibly begin to understand how upset i am that the google arts and culture portrait selfie feature is not yet available in my region.
— catland rose dewitt bukater (@catlandrose) January 13, 2018
I downloaded the Google Arts & Culture app to do that selfie comparison game and all I got instead was an amazing resource that has nourished my soul and already immensely improved my quality of life ?
— Anthony Oliveira (@meakoopa) January 13, 2018
The Arts and Culture wing of Google is not new to cool ways of interpreting the arts – the group has worked with the British Museum to offer Google Street View tours of the landmark, as well digital archives of some of the museum’s collections.
Despite the lack of selfie recognition for most of us, the Arts and Culture app is still worth a download if you’re keen to learn more, it also includes virtual tours of classic art collections and an art recogniser for use in selected museums.
