Google’s “Circle to Search” feature, initially available only on recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones, is set for a significant expansion. Plans are in motion to integrate this AI-driven visual search capability into the Google Lens app, potentially making it accessible on a vast array of devices, including older models that previously couldn’t support it. This strategic move could also open doors for compatibility with iOS devices, albeit through specific applications like Google, Google Chrome, or Google Photos.
The latest Google Lens update might bring Circle to Search to many more phones https://t.co/ZyFAZytil7 pic.twitter.com/wuZeoi2KOi
— Aureobook (@aureobook) June 30, 2024
“Circle to Search” empowers users to seek information directly from their device’s screen by encircling or drawing on the desired content. This feature, deeply integrated into Android’s operating system, enhances user interaction by allowing information retrieval within any app, a functionality previously limited to certain smartphones.
Bring Circle to Search to many more phones through the latest Google Lens update
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— Edge Thinking (@EdgeThink) June 29, 2024
The expansion plans were highlighted by insights from Android Authority and detailed examinations by software analyst Assemble Debug. According to their reports, the integration into Google Lens is designed to bypass the need for significant system updates, thus broadening the feature’s availability without requiring users to upgrade their hardware.
However, it’s important to approach this development with measured optimism. As the feature is still under development, there is no guarantee it will launch in its current envisioned form. Assemble Debug noted a key distinction within Google Lens: the new iteration of Circle to Search is internally dubbed “lensient,” contrasting with its original codename “Omient.” This suggests that there could be substantial differences between the original feature and its new version within Google Lens.
Google has set an ambitious target to make Circle to Search available on 200 million devices by the end of 2024. The integration into Google Lens represents a crucial step toward achieving this goal. If successful, this move could significantly enhance how users interact with their devices, merging intuitive real-world interactions with digital search capabilities.
Google Lens could evolve as Circle to Search for all devices – https://t.co/Epn0cgdEq3 pic.twitter.com/t296brRxNL
— I M Judge – Android & Google Pixel News (@IMJudgeX) June 28, 2024
The potential for Circle to Search to extend to iOS devices introduces an exciting prospect for iPhone users, although they would need to access the feature through dedicated apps. This cross-platform availability could significantly impact how users across different ecosystems experience Google’s search capabilities.
Key Points:
i. Google’s Circle to Search feature, originally limited to newer Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, may soon be available on many more devices through Google Lens.
ii. This feature enables users to perform searches on their phone by circling content on their screen, making information access instantaneous and contextually relevant.
iii. Plans revealed by Assemble Debug indicate integration of this feature into Google Lens, which would extend its availability to older devices and potentially iOS users through specific apps.
iv. The development is still uncertain as it is in progress, with indications of significant differences between the original and the new version in Google Lens, referred to as “lensient.”
v. Google’s target is to expand the availability of Circle to Search to 200 million devices by the end of 2024, with Google Lens integration being a key strategy in this expansion.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
