I’ve discovered a little-known free app hidden on EVERY smartphone that solves two major holiday problems

There are literally millions of apps out there these days, but none has proven to be more useful for vacations than Google Lens.

On a recent trip to Paris, I started using the hidden feature, which is free on Android and iOS.

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Unlike other apps, I don’t have to type anything.

And it turned out to be a godsend.

Google Lens uses clever image recognition technology.

That helped in many ways.

First, it saved us from non-English menus.

Although I speak French, it’s a hassle to explain to everyone what each meal means, so everyone pulled out their phones and used Google Lens to translate everything in real time.

All you have to do is hover over the menu and a translation will appear for you.

This can also be helpful in a variety of other ways, such as signs or posters.

Next comes the identification of monuments.

You often wonder, “What is that beautiful building in the distance?” And you’ll never find out unless you ask a stranger or type a succinct written description into a Google search.

Instead, hold up Google Lens, snap a photo, and it’ll instantly know what it’s about.

How to find Google Lens

You can find Google Lens in the Google app.

It’s the little camera icon next to the microphone icon in the search bar.

Tap on it and there are several options including Search and Translate.

Shopping is another good option if you happen to see an item you want that isn’t in a store – for example, wallpaper that you see and would like to have in your own home.

Google Lens will try to find an exact or nearly identical replica of it.

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