Google launches Science Journal to turn your phone into a research lab

Google believes there’s a scientist in all of us, so it’s launching a new app that turns your phone into a powerful little research lab.

Called Science Journal, the app uses the sensors in your phone to measure and record data in real time, including movement, light and sound:

See something you want to measure? How much light is in my room compared to outside? How loud is the dog’s bark compared to my cough? Record your observations in real-time at the press of a button. Explore your environment or measure things you’ve built yourself.

It can even connect with Arduino devices for more detailed measurements.

Of course, plenty of mobile apps can already feed you hard sensor data, but Science Journal takes a more thorough approach by allowing you to record that data into graphs and charts, as well as take and organize notes on your observations.

For example, you could add a voice note while taking measurements to help you remember specific details or variable you may have changed. You can then compare the results of your various experiments to come up with your conclusion.

Google’s also partnered with Exploratorium to sell lab kits to go along with Science Journal. These include craft materials and/or extra sensors to help supplement your data or measure variables your phone isn’t capable of. That said, Google also tells you how to assemble the materials yourself if you prefer.

Science Journal is available on the Play Store now. Sorry team Apple, no word on an iOS equivalent yet.