Tag: text detection

I've been exploring Chrome's Shape Detection API and its potential, even creating a QR code detector with a JS polyfill. While I appreciate the API, I'm more impressed by libraries like Jeeliz, which offer faster face detection and broader cross-platform compatibility via WebGL and WASM. This tech allows for augmented reality experiences without large app downloads and data harvesting. There are numerous practical applications for this technology, from text selection and translation to product search and accessibility features. I believe the web is ideal for such experiences, and although I appreciate the native Shape Detection API, its inconsistencies across platforms raise questions about the need for native implementations when web-based solutions using WebGL and WASM can offer better consistency and reach.

I'm excited to share the latest addition to the Shape Detection API: the Text Detection API! This API allows you to detect text within images in real-time, right in the browser. It's still experimental and currently works on Chrome Canary for Android, but it opens up amazing possibilities. Imagine real-time translation, assistive technologies for parsing image content, or even grabbing URLs from slides at conferences. I've built a demo where the API detects text, draws a box around it, and reads it aloud when clicked. Check out the code and demo to experiment yourself. I can't wait to see what you build with this!