Latest news with #CtS
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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business Standard
Google to update Circle to Search with full-screen visual search: Report
Google is rolling out a notable upgrade to its Circle to Search (CtS) feature on Android, aimed at making searches more relevant by combining visual context with text input. According to 9To5Google, the feature will now automatically attach a full screenshot of the user's display when a Google Search is initiated within the CtS interface—enabling more contextual responses. The update is currently in beta testing and is expected to roll out widely in the coming weeks. When the feature first becomes available, users will see a prompt titled 'Search using your whole screen' explaining the update. Circle to Search: What's New According to the report, Google has now integrated text search with screen-wide visual analysis. When a user taps the search bar within the Circle to Search interface, a screenshot of the entire screen is automatically attached. This allows Google to analyse on-screen content and offer more tailored search results—whether it's identifying an object, summarising a paragraph, or answering a question based on an image. This new system enhances the original concept of Circle to Search, which allowed users to interactively circle or tap elements on their screen to trigger a Google Search without leaving the app they were in. Now, instead of requiring manual interaction with the screen, users can simply tap the search field to get full-screen contextual results, with Google treating the query as a question about the current screen—essentially, 'Ask about this image.' How It Works When Circle to Search is activated and a user types in a query, the system now automatically includes a screenshot of the screen in the search box. If users prefer to conduct a general text-only search without context, they can tap the attached image twice to remove it and proceed as before. This shift makes context-aware searches easier and more intuitive—ideal for asking about content within apps, articles, videos, or images—without needing to highlight anything manually. Users can still interact with screen elements directly, but now they also have the option to use full-screen analysis as the default behaviour.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Google's Circle to Search update enhances long-press activation & vibration feedback
Circle to Search is one of the best new features released for Android devices in recent years. This feature is receiving a noteworthy software update that should make it easier for users to be aware of the tool. As 9to5Google notes, a new software update rolling out adds a more prominent vibration pattern when Circle to Search is activated. It explains: 'Upon long-pressing on the Android gesture handle, you'll notice a more forceful vibration. These haptics leave no doubt that you're activating CtS, which might help reduce accidental triggers.' The changes are currently part of the Google app release version 16.4.36. However, it's only accessible on Pixel devices like the Pixel 9 Pro. It's assumed other Android phones will pick up the feature in the coming days. In recent weeks, Google has made a few changes to the Circle to Search interface. It now includes the search bar, song lookup, and translate shortcut in the tool's pill-shaped container. There's also a new feature that assists users when playing games. Called 'Get Game Help,' a new chip activates it and quickly initiates a Google search with the phrase: 'Get help with this game.' Other new features include color adjustments, animation changes, and more. Circle to Search is a helpful feature available on select Android devices that allows you to search for anything directly on your screen without switching apps. To use this feature, first activate it in your phone's settings and make sure the necessary permissions are granted. To initiate a search, long-press the home button (if using three-button navigation) or the navigation handle (if using gesture navigation). This action will open the Google Search bar. From there, you can circle, highlight, scribble, or tap on any part of the image, video, or text you want to search for. The search results will then appear at the bottom of your screen. You can refine your search by adding text to the search bar. The feature also includes useful shortcuts for translating content on your screen or identifying music. Circle to Search integrates smoothly with your phone's interface, providing a quick and efficient way to explore and learn more about your viewing content. When it first launched, Circle to Search was only available on newer Google Pixel devices and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. It has been arriving on other Android devices over the past few months. It's great seeing Google add new haptics to Circle to Search. It should better clarify to the user that the feature has been activated, which has been one of the few complaints about the search tool since it was released last year.
