Photomath

Photomath
Developer(s)Photomath, Inc.
Initial release2014 (2014)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android8.36.0 / March 18, 2024; 8 months ago (2024-03-18)[1]
iOS8.35.0 / January 30, 2024; 9 months ago (2024-01-30)[2]
Written inJava (Android/Windows)
Operating systemAndroid, iOS
Available in32 languages[3]
TypeEducation Technology
LicenseFreeware, proprietary
Websitephotomath.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]

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]

  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. ^ 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.