Photomath

Last updated

Photomath
Developer(s) Photomath, Inc.
Initial release2014 (2014)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android8.36.0 / March 18, 2024;7 months ago (2024-03-18) [1]
iOS8.35.0 / January 30, 2024;9 months ago (2024-01-30) [2]
Written in Java (Android/Windows)
Operating system Android, iOS
Available in32 languages [3]
Type Education Technology
License Freeware, proprietary
Website photomath.com

Photomath is an educational technology mobile app, owned by Google. It features a computer algebra system with an augmented optical character recognition system, designed for use with a smartphone's camera to scan and recognize mathematical equations; the app then displays step-by-step explanations onscreen. [4]

Contents

The app is based on a text recognition engine developed by Microblink, a company based in London and Croatia and led by founder Damir Sabol, which also includes the developers of both Photomath and Photopay. [5] [6] Photomath LLC was legally registered in San Mateo, California. In 2021, Photomath announced $23 million in Series B funding led by Menlo Ventures, [7] [8] with contributions from GSV Ventures, Learn Capital, Cherubic Ventures, and Goodwater Capital. [9]

In May 2022, Google announced it would acquire the company for an undisclosed amount. After review by the European Commission, the deal received approval in March 2023 [10] and concluded in June. This takeover represented the largest startup acquisition in Croatian history, with Photomath being the nation's leading app at that time. This acquisition was cited as a strategic move by Google in response to ChatGPT. [11] Upon Photomath's dissolution, Sabol transitioned to the role of Director of Software Engineering at Google. [12] As of February 29, 2024, Google has integrated the app into its Play Store publisher portfolio. [13]

Description

Photomath utilizes the camera of a user's smartphone or tablet to scan and identify mathematical problems. [4] Upon recognition, the app displays the steps to solve the problem. The app presents these steps through various methods and approaches, elucidating the problem-solving process in a step-by-step manner to educate users.

Starting in 2016, the app expanded its capabilities to include handwriting recognition, alongside printed text, allowing students to scan both textbooks and handwritten mathematical notes. [14] [15]

In 2017, Photomath was recognized by The Tech Edvocate as one of the top 20 teaching and learning applications. [16] [17]

While Photomath is predominantly free, it also provides a subscription-based service, ‘Photomath Plus’, which enhances functionality with features like solving mathematical word problems and providing solutions to textbook exercises. [18] [19] [20]

As of 2021, Photomath boasts over 220 million downloads globally, with its official website reporting the resolution of 2.2 billion problems monthly and adoption by over 1 million educators. [21] [22]

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References

  1. "Photomath APKs". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. "Photomath on the App Store". App Store . Apple Inc. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  3. "How to change app language?". Photomath Help. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 Wiggers, Kyle (18 February 2021). "AI-powered math tutoring app Photomath raises $23 million". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. "MicroBlink Launches PhotoMath to Solve Math Equations with a Phone". 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  6. "Mobile App Photomath Raises $6 Million in Series A - EdSurge News". 7 November 2018. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  7. "Our Investment in Photomath: Changing the Future of Math Tutoring". Menlo Ventures. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  8. "Croatia's Photomath raises $23mn funding". 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  9. FinSMEs (18 February 2021). "Photomath Raises $23M in Series B Funding". FinSMEs. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  10. "EU regulators clear Google's maths app deal" . Reuters . 28 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  11. Ivezić, Bernard (2 June 2023). "Google potvrdio za Jutarnji list: Dovršili smo najveću startup akviziciju u povijesti Hrvatske" [Google confirmed to Jutarnji list: We completed the largest startup acquisition in the history of Croatia]. Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  12. Sabol, Damir. "Damir Sabol". LinkedIn. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  13. Li, Abner (29 February 2024). "Photomath is officially Google's latest app on the Play Store". 9to5Google . Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  14. "Updated Photomath app can now solve handwritten math problems". 25 September 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  15. "STIGLA NOVA VERZIJA GENIJALNE HRVATSKE APLIKACIJE Photomath od Sada prepoznaje I rukopis korisnika prilikom rješavanja matematičkih problem!". 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  16. "The Tech Edvocate's List of the 20 Best Teaching and Learning Apps - The Tech Edvocate". 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  17. "Photomath u 20 najboljih edukativnih aplikacija". 7 January 2017. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  18. "Math learning app Photomath raises $23 million as it reaches 220 million downloads". TechCrunch. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  19. "Photomath Plus". photomath.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  20. "What a year..." Facebook. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  21. "Photomath - Scan. Solve. Learn". photomath.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  22. "Photomath for Teachers". photomath.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.