Google mobile application development has iPhone in sight

Google recently announced its popular photo-based search tool, Google Goggles, should be available for iPhone users before the end of the year. The application allows smartphone users to take a photo of an object and conduct a search involving it based upon the image.

Google first introduced the solution for phones using its Android operating system at the end of 2009, and has worked to refine the application since its debut. While the application has hardly become an item of widespread appeal for Android users, many cite it as one of the add-ons they enjoy most. The item has become especially popular for people as a comparison shopping tool to learn more about a brand or item.

While the company fully expects to complete the development of the application by the end of the year, there are some issues it is currently dealing with. Designing it as a third-party application requires different methods than as pre-loaded feature. Google’s database currently contains more than 1 billion images, but the company reports Goggles typically works only 33 percent of the time.

Google has made other announcements in recent weeks aimed at expanding its product inventory and overall capability. The company recently acquired Like.com to expand its ecommerce presence, however, terms of the deal were not disclosed.