Google launches 'Qibla Finder' augmented reality web app to help Muslims pray

When Muslims pray, they are supposed to face Mecca -- a city in Saudi Arabia. This can be difficult for those that travel, as the direction can change based on the person's current location. For someone that tends to always be in the same city, this can be far easier to remember day to day.

If you are a Muslim that desires absolute accuracy when praying, Google has a new solution for you. Called "Qibla Finder," it is a web app that will show you the exact location to face.

"When people search for the Qibla -- the direction Muslims turn to at prayer -- they often look for a website or an app to point them in the right direction. Which explains why the word 'compass' often pops up when we look at Qibla-related search results over the past five years," says Najeeb Jarrar, Marketing Manager, Google.

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Jarrar further explains, "It would be a lot easier to simply hold up your phone and have it tell you the right direction to pray towards. So we're launching the Qibla Finder, a web app that uses the latest in augmented reality to paint a clear blue line within the imagery your phone camera sees, pointing you towards the Kaaba."

If you want to try Qibla Finder for yourself, you can access it here. Since it is a web app, it should work on all devices, but your experience may vary based on browser. Although it does work on the desktop, full functionality will require a mobile device.

Photo Credit: Lissma/Shutterstock