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

THERE are literally millions of apps these days but none has proven more useful than Google Lens for holidays.

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

Unlike other apps, I don't need to do any typing.

And it proved to be a godsend.

Google Lens uses clever image recognition technology.

This helped in a number of ways.

First of all, it saved us from non-English menus.

Although I speak French, explaining to everyone what each meal meant is a chore, so everyone whipped their phones out and used Google Lens to translate everything in real time.

All you have to do is hover over the menu and it'll show a translation for you.

This can help in a number of other ways too, such as signs or posters.

Next up, is identifying monuments.

Often you wonder, "what's that beautiful building in the distance?" and never find out unless you ask a stranger or put in a ropey written description in a Google search.

Instead, hold Google Lens up, take a photo and it will identify what it is for you instantly.

How to find Google Lens

You can find Google Lens in the Google app.

It's the tiny camera icon next to the microphone icon in the search bar.

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

Shopping is another good option if you see a random item you want that's not in a shop - for example, a wallpaper you see and would like in your own home.

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

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