Maybe go look at Google’s AR animals before they enter the grave

Remember Google’s AR search, which can make augmented reality bugs, dinos, neat objects, and buildings appear atop the real world through the lens of your phone? Now might be a good time to take it in because it seems to be vanishing.

According to 9to5Google, the number of animals that will give you AR renders when you search for them has shriveled 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!

Perhaps it’s just a bug? Or perhaps Safari is a temporary workaround.

It wouldn’t be surprising if AR search is shuffling off to the graveyard. Earlier this year, Google jettisoned hundreds of AR hardware employees. The company also lost key leaders of its AR team last year and reportedly shuttered its Project Iris AR glasses in June.

When it rolled out in early 2020, Google’s AR search feature was a boon for some folks stuck in covid lockdown — particularly those of us with children to entertain. It started with animals like tigers, alligators, and mallard ducks, but Google steadily added more creatures, including dinosaurs and bugs. Eventually, the collection grew to include NASA artifacts and fictional characters like Pac-Man, Hello Kitty, and even Pedro Pascal’s son, Baby Yoda.

We asked Google to explain what’s happening, but it didn’t give us an answer by press time. We’ll update if that changes. In the meantime, maybe now is a good time to go look at some AR animals — if they’re still showing up for you. Just in case.