Pinterest has launched a range of high-tech Visual Discovery tools intended to help users discover new products, and ideally part with some cash.

Look here

Pinterest Lens lets you point the camera in the Pinterest app at objects in the real world, to access related products and ideas.

For example, point Lens at a pair of shoes and it will display similar styles, or suggestions about what outfits to wear with them.

Point Lens at a table and it will show furniture from the same era, and related designs. 

Pinterest claims pointing Lens at broccoli will yield a world of new recipes.

Deep learning

Lens is currently in beta, and works best around home decor, clothing, and food items.

Pinterest says as more people use Lens it will capture a wider range of objects (and presumably new broccoli recipes).

Instant Ideas

Pinterest also launched two other features: Instant Ideas and Shop the Look.

Instant Ideas lets you tap on a pin to access related ideas and posts, similar to Lens.

While Shop the Look lets you track and purchase items you've spotted in fashion and home decor Pins.

You can also see which items are popularly paired with your favourite products, and pay for it all directly on Pinterest.

To find out more visit blog.pinterest.com.