The New York Times has become Google’s guinea pig. On Sunday, readers flicking through their copy of The New York Times Magazine’s annual music issue will be able to use Google Lens, the tech giant’s visual search tool, to find additional content by pointing their smartphone camera at the magazine cover and throughout the rest of the publication as both companies test the effectiveness of the technology. That includes being directed to a behind the scenes video conversation between Jake Silverstein, editor in chief of The New York Times Magazine, and designer Gail Bichler about how they came to the decision that Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and Megan Thee Stallion would appear on three separate covers. Readers will also be able to preview the Times’ “25 Songs That Matter Right Now,” while other features include podcast links and allowing users to save articles to the Times’ app through Google Lens. And it won’t just be Times content. The music issue will feature several interactive print ads from the likes of Volvo and New Orleans Tourism that will come to life with the help of Google Lens. While a lot of this is available on the Times’ web site or app, the idea is that
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