A Tom's Guide writer uploaded a photo of a plate she'd bought from Urban Outfitters almost 20 years ago, assuming it was long discontinued. Gemini identified the pattern and traced the original line, and she now follows the maker on Instagram.
Here's a photo of a [PLATE, MUG OR BOWL], including the back with any marks. I bought it around [YEAR] from [SHOP IF KNOWN]. Identify the pattern, maker and range if you can, tell me whether it's still made, and suggest where I could find matching pieces, new or second-hand, plus the search terms to use.
Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your own details before you send it.
How to try it
- Photograph the front and the maker’s mark on the back in good light.
- Upload both to Gemini with what you remember about where it came from.
- Search the names it gives on the maker’s site and second-hand marketplaces.
More shopping use cases
Choose between products on the shop shelf with a photo and Claude
Needing a new beard trimmer and having done no research, a shopper photographed every option in the aisle, gave the photo to Claude with what he needed, and got a recommendation for the best value for his needs, leaving the shop in under five minutes.
Here's a photo of the [PRODUCT TYPE] options on the shelf, with prices. I need it for [HOW YOU'LL USE IT] and I care most about [E.G. BATTERY LIFE, EASE OF CLEANING, PRICE]. My budget is [AMOUNT]. Which one or two would you pick and why? Point out anything you can't read in the photo, and tell me what to check on the box before I buy.
Make sense of a pile of gifted skincare products with ChatGPT
After his wife received several serums and creams for Christmas, a Hacker News user and his wife didn't know when to apply them or which shouldn't be combined. A 15-minute ChatGPT session gave her a weekly routine with its reasoning, and as someone who already knew a lot about skincare she could spot any wrong suggestion.
I've got these skincare products: [LIST PRODUCT NAMES AND KEY INGREDIENTS FROM THE LABELS]. My skin is [TYPE] and I'd like [GOAL]. Suggest a simple morning and evening routine for the week, explain the order to apply things in, and point out any products that are usually best not used at the same time. Tell me which bits I should check on the packaging or with a pharmacist.
Negotiate a car price with a dealer by text using ChatGPT
One buyer used ChatGPT to negotiate a car price over texts and emails, and found that the usual showroom pressure tactics carry much less weight when you have a calm adviser helping you word every reply.
I'm buying a [YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, TRIM] from a dealer in [TOWN/REGION]. Their quote is [PRICE, INCLUDING ANY FEES]. Similar cars I've found online are listed at [PRICES]. Help me negotiate by email or text: 1) list the questions I should ask about fees, warranty and add-ons, 2) write an opening message asking for their best on-the-road price, 3) suggest how to respond if they push me to come in or 'speak to a manager'.
Reference: Tom's Guide