Google’s “Circle to Search” is a feature that allows users to search for things, products, and content directly from any screen or app. For instance, if you see stylish shoes on Instagram or want to know what watch Mark Zuckerberg is wearing, this feature can help. It can also translate text on road signs or restaurant menus in foreign languages.
Not all Android smartphones support this feature, but Google is working with various manufacturers to make it widely available. Currently, it’s most prevalent on Samsung and Google devices. To use “Circle to Search,” you can long-press the home button or the navigation bar, depending on your navigation settings. On some devices, you might need to activate it in the settings under Display or Navigation Bar.
Once activated, a Google overlay appears on the home screen. You can circle the desired object or content on the screen with your finger or a stylus to search for more information. This feature initially seems like a simple image search, allowing you to circle or tap on a product to find it in Google Search. You can also refine search results by adding additional keywords in the search mask.
Besides image search, “Circle to Search” offers text search capabilities. You can mark text or quotes to search online, which is especially useful for text in unfamiliar languages. The feature includes a button to translate the text within the “Circle to Search” window.
If you need help identifying a song, the “Song Search” button in “Circle to Search” allows you to play, sing, or hum the tune for identification. Additionally, the feature can scan QR or barcodes and solve mathematical or physical problems by providing step-by-step solutions.
Google has expanded “Circle to Search” with “One-Tap Actions,” which recognize phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs on websites, concert posters, or images. A simple tap on the button allows you to call, send an email, or visit a webpage.
While not yet available in Germany, Google has announced AI-generated overviews that provide a quick summary of information from “Circle to Search” results. This feature offers structured overviews with additional information about dishes, landmarks, or rare antiques seen online.
It’s important to note that “Circle to Search” is designed for digital content and doesn’t work with the real world. Google previously included a shortcut for Google Lens to capture real-world content, but it was removed. For recognizing or translating real-world items like landmarks or menus, Google Lens is still the tool to use. It’s accessible through the Google app widget on the home screen.
In summary, “Circle to Search” is a versatile feature that enhances the search experience by allowing users to explore images, text, and more directly from their screens. Its integration of translation, song identification, and QR code scanning makes it a valuable tool for Android users.