macOS Monterey's Live Text allows users to interact with text in any image

Apple's new Live Text feature will allow macOS Monterey users to interact with written information in images and photos in a variety of ways.

The Live Text feature was first announced as part of the iOS 15 update during Monday's WWDC 2021 keynote. However, Apple's macOS Monterey preview page has confirmed that the feature is also coming to the Mac.

Essentially, Live Text allows written information within an image to be treated as interactive text. Users will be able to highlight the text, copy and paste it, and perform certain contextual actions.

For example, users will be able to click an address and get easy access to navigation data in Apple Maps via data detectors. Clicking on a phone number within a photo could bring up the address book.

On M1 Mac computers, Live Text feature also incorporates privacy features that ensure personal information or details never leaves a device.

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13 Comments

JinTech 1054 comments · 9 Years

About 3 years ago

This is one feature that blew me away and that I am most excited about.

22july2013 3725 comments · 11 Years

JinTech said:

This is one feature that blew me away and that I am most excited about.

Most features for users announced at most WWDCs are features that most people won't become aware of or use a lot. However this Live Text feature will amaze everyone and word about it will spread quickly. I presume Google will immediately launch a competitive feature for Android. Did Apple trademark the words "Live Text"?

danvm 1475 comments · 9 Years

22july2013 said:

JinTech said:

This is one feature that blew me away and that I am most excited about.

Most features for users announced at most WWDCs are features that most people won't become aware of or use a lot. However this Live Text feature will amaze everyone and word about it will spread quickly. I presume Google will immediately launch a competitive feature for Android. Did Apple trademark the words "Live Text"?

Maybe you didn't knew, but Google Lens already does what Apple showed today with Live Text.

Japhey 1772 comments · 6 Years

JinTech said:

This is one feature that blew me away and that I am most excited about.

I totally agree. In my humble opinion, this is the most important feature announced today. The future implications with regard to AR are very exciting.

bestkeptsecret 4285 comments · 13 Years

danvm said:

22july2013 said:

JinTech said:

This is one feature that blew me away and that I am most excited about.

Most features for users announced at most WWDCs are features that most people won't become aware of or use a lot. However this Live Text feature will amaze everyone and word about it will spread quickly. I presume Google will immediately launch a competitive feature for Android. Did Apple trademark the words "Live Text"?

Maybe you didn't knew, but Google Lens already does what Apple showed today with Live Text.

Yes, I would have been surprised if this wasn't already a feature on Google.