Google’s Circle to Search Feature Set to Expand to More Android Devices
Google’s Circle to Search feature, a visual lookup tool that allows users to quickly run a web search on any visual element on the screen, is expected to be expanded to more Android devices next month, according to a new leak. Currently, the feature is only available on select Samsung and Pixel smartphones.
The feature first debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January and was later rolled out to older Galaxy smartphones and the Pixel smartphone series. However, nine months later, the feature has not been seen in any other brands of smartphones.
Tipster Mishaal Rahman claimed on social media that the Circle to Search feature will be added to the Tecno V Fold 2, a smartphone that was launched last week. Rahman shared an image of the feature in action on the Tecno foldable, stating that the visual lookup feature will be expanded to “more Android phones next month”, ending the exclusivity of the feature for Pixel and Samsung devices.
The Circle to Search feature can be accessed by long-pressing the Home button or the Power button on a compatible device. Once activated, users can highlight an area on the screen by circling it, and the feature will automatically run a visual web search on it to offer more information. The feature can also be used to translate or copy text.
Despite keeping the feature relatively exclusive, Google has been constantly expanding its functionality, adding newer ways to use the AI feature. Last month, a report claimed that the tech giant was working on a “crop and share” functionality, which would let users crop part of an image and directly share it with friends and family using third-party apps. The feature can also identify songs and music playing either on the device or nearby.
It remains to be seen when exactly the Circle to Search feature will be rolled out to more Android devices, but the leak suggests that it will happen next month.
