NEWS  Google  January 17, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

Google has recently unveiled an innovative feature for Android phones, aptly named "Circle to Search", aiming to revolutionize the search experience on mobile devices. This new capability allows users to initiate searches effortlessly using gestures like circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping, providing a more natural and accessible way to engage with Google Search at any moment.

Exploring the Diverse Gestures

Contrary to the name, Circle to Search is not exclusively about circling gestures; it offers a range of interaction options. Users can tap on text, swipe across words, or circle and scribble on visual elements, offering a dynamic and intuitive approach to initiating searches. For example, tapping on a concert event in a messaging app or circling an item in a video can seamlessly trigger a search for more information.

Visual and Textual Integration

The feature extends beyond text searches, incorporating a visual component referred to as "multisearch". Combining images and text, this feature leverages generative AI to provide more contextual and relevant results. Google Labs users, especially those engaged in the Search Generative Experience (SGE) experiment, can expect AI-powered answers to their queries.

The Significance of Accessibility

Google envisions that the ability to access search from any app will be a game-changer for users, eliminating the need to interrupt their current activity to perform a search. The feature is designed to enhance user convenience, ensuring that searching becomes a seamless part of their smartphone experience.

Challenges and Context in the Search Landscape

However, the introduction of Circle to Search comes at a time when Google Search faces challenges. The web's saturation with SEO-optimized pages and spam has made finding reliable answers more difficult. Additionally, generative AI chatbots are becoming prominent, potentially diverting users away from traditional search methods and impacting Google's advertising business.

Deeper Integration with Android OS

By turning the entire Android phone platform into a surface for search, Google appears to acknowledge the need for deeper integration of its Search business with the smartphone OS. This move goes beyond a mere feature update; it signifies a strategic shift to maintain relevance and address evolving user habits.

Availability and Launch Details

Circle to Search is set to launch on January 31, debuting on the new Galaxy S24 Series smartphones and premium Android devices like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google assures users that the feature will be accessible in all languages and locations where these phones are available, with plans to expand support to more Android smartphones in the future.

 MEDIA CREDITS: GOOGLE