Remember Google’s AR search, which can make bugs, dinosaurs, cool objects, and augmented reality buildings appear in the real world through your phone’s lens? Now might be a good time to absorb it, because it seems to be fading.
According to 9to5Google, the number of animals that will give you AR renders when you look for them has decreased to just a few. My editor, Richard Lawler, saw the same thing on his Pixel 8 Pro, as did I when I checked my Pixel 6. But when I searched in Safari on my iPhone 15 Pro, there they were: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Spinosaurus, Rhinoceros Beetle, Jewel Beetle and a Giant Panda!
Maybe it’s just a bug? Or maybe Safari is a temporary solution.
We asked Google to explain what was happening, but it has not responded to us at press time. We will update if this changes. In the meantime, perhaps now would be a good time to take a look at some AR animals – if they’re still showing up for you. Just in case.