If I worked at Google

Currency Converter

for Google Lens

💁🏼‍♀️ "IF I WORKED AT" SERIES

This post is a part of a parody series where I use my passion for Product Design to shamelessly make improvements to the applications and websites of company’s I want to work for.

HIRE ME, HERE’S WHY!

Google LenS?

Google Lens in an app that allows you to use your phone’s camera to explore the world around you. Simply point your camera at an object and let Google Lens do the searching for you.

Here are some of the current features and their use cases:

✏️ Text — Translate foreign words, scan a business card to add a contact, or just scan to copy text.

🛍 Objects — Scan objects to find them online. Google Lens will also offer similar products if it cant find the exact item.

🏛 Places — Scan buildings to see their ratings, hours, and more information.

🌿 Plants and Animals — Scan the the natural world to discover what type of flowers your neighbour is growing, or the breed of dog you meet at the dog park.

New Features, who This?

The recent Google App 9.72.1 beta release hinted at a number of new filters for Google Lens that will bring some structure to their existing detection modes.

Filters for Google Lens

They are testing 5 different scanning modes that will allow you to filter the type of information you are pointing your lens at.

These UI Lens filters include:

Translate
Convert
Text
Search
Dining
Shopping

Unfortunately this beta release is just a sneak peak, but I was inspired by the potential of the Convert Filter!

Convert Filter

I think we have all been in a situation where we have wondered…

What is this price in USD?

What is 125ml in Cups?

What is 23°F into °C?

It looks like the new Convert Lens UI will solve these basic yet common questions. For now the app only allows you to see a preview but I’ve created a design that lets you imagine one of the potential use cases. Converting currencies!

Convert Currency

Shopping abroad can be difficult when you’re not exactly sure what the local price is in your home currency. The convert filter would use your location services to detect the local currency. Then when you scan a price, the app would show you the converted price in your home currency.

Adjust Price

You could also have the ability to adjust the price or currency. This feature would be especially useful for:

Backpackers — When you are on a tight budget every penny counts! This could help backpackers get an accurate estimation of how much they are spending and even let them negotiate a better price.

Set Home Currency

Of course in order for Google Lens to convert these prices you will have to set your home location and currency.

There is already a Travel Preferences screen where you could easily do this.

✨
Also notice the Time back home feature that already exists!

Travelling across time zones can make communication with those back home difficult. Converting timezones would also be a helpful feature 😉

Google App Home

Once the app recognizes that you are travelling, the home page could show both the 👉 converted currency and the time back home 👈 for easy access.

🤷‍♀️

Can’t find this Convert Filter?

That’s because I made it up!

👋 I’m Caitlin O’Bunny 👋

And I love using my passion for Product Design and sense of humour to design the future of my favourite applications.

Wish this Convert Filter was real?

Give my Medium article a clap