What you should know
- Circle to Search is a new feature in Samsung’s Galaxy AI that will also be available in Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. This feature allows users to search quickly and seamlessly without leaving their current app.
- To use Circle to Search, users need to long-press the home button which will bring up a Google Assistant bubble. Users then draw a circle around the item they want to search for and the bubble will expand into a search results preview.
- Users can also highlight text to search for it. For example, if a user receives a message about a restaurant they are unfamiliar with, they can highlight the restaurant’s name and Circle to Search will provide Google’s search results and additional information.
- Circle to Search requires an internet connection and the latest Android version. The feature may not be compatible with certain apps and its accuracy may vary as it depends on visual matches.
Full Story
Circle to Search is a gem in the vast AI landscape of Samsung’s Galaxy. It’s a discovery credited to the Galaxy S24 trio. But soon, this island won’t be so exclusive. It’s about to get some new inhabitants.
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are reportedly set to get the Circle to Share feature too, according to 9to5Google. That’s not all. There could be many more on the horizon.
The unveiling of the Circle to Search feature happened during the Galaxy S24’s official presentation. It’s a game-changer, to say the least. Let’s dive into how it works and why it’s a must-have.
Ever been in this maddening situation? You see something, want to Google it, but can’t put a name to it. You’re left typing in random adjectives and descriptions, hoping to stumble upon the right answer. We’ve all been there, both native and non-native English speakers alike.
Google Lens could be a solution, allowing you to image-search your query. But let’s be real. It’s 2024. Who has time for that?
Enter Circle to Search. This AI feature lets Galaxy S24 users (and soon, Pixel 8 users) search quickly and smoothly without leaving their current app. No disruptions, no fuss.
Here’s how it works. Say you’re scrolling through Instagram and spot something interesting in a photo. Maybe it’s a hat or a plant in the background. To use Circle to Search, long-press the home button. A Google Assistant bubble pops up. Draw a circle around your item of interest, and voila! The bubble expands into a search results preview.
Samsung even made a video to show it off. Check it out below.
But wait, there’s more. You can also highlight text. Got a dinner invite at a restaurant you’ve never heard of? Just open the message, invoke Circle to Search, and drag through the restaurant’s name. You’ll get Google’s search results and additional info in a snap.
In addition to circling and highlighting, you can scribble or tap on the Galaxy S24’s screen for instant search results. But remember, your mileage may vary. The results depend on visual matches, and this is a brand new feature. Don’t expect 100% accuracy all the time.
Of course, Circle to Search needs an internet connection and the latest Android version to work. And Samsung warns that “some functions may not be compatible with certain apps”. But hey, we’ll see how it goes.
