Google releases Circle to Search feature for more Pixel smartphones, here is how it works

The company has already rolled out Circle to Search for the Pixel 8 series and is now bringing it to the Pixel 7 as well. The feature allows users to perform reverse searches on the web by circling around an image or text.

Google announced the availability of Circle to Search feature for Pixel 7 as part of the March Feature Drop. The drop also includes more features, including Transit directions on your wrist, App screen sharing, Expanded health & fitness features for 1st-gen PixelWatch, and more. To get the update, Google Pixel 7 users need to install the latest software update and the Google app. Once updated, to start the Circle to Search feature, they will need to long-press on the home button or the gesture button, followed by marking or highlighting the specific part of the screen.

Here are a few ways you can use Google’s Circle to Search feature:

Shopping: Circle to Search allows users to explore items they see and shop for them instantly. By long-pressing the home button or navigation bar, users can circle or scribble over items of interest, such as a unique top or a rotating cake stand, and discover similar options from various retailers online.
Definitions: Easily look up the meanings of words or phrases while staying in the current context. For example, if you you see the term “prebiotic” in a video, than you can activate Circle to Search by long-pressing the home button or navigation bar, highlighting the word, and accessing its definition without interrupting your viewing experience.
Travel: Users can also use Circle to Search to identify landmarks or locations seen in videos or social media posts, making trip planning more efficient. By scribbling over a unique building, users can quickly gather information about it, potentially adding it to their travel itinerary.
Comparisons: Simplify decision-making by comparing options directly on-screen. For example, when discussing restaurant choices with friends via text, users can highlight the names of the restaurants mentioned to view menus, photos of dishes, customer reviews, and locations without leaving the messaging app.
Quick information: Circle to Search provides not only quick information but also AI-powered insights in select regions. Users can pose more complex questions, such as why certain foods are trending, and receive detailed responses aggregated from various online sources. Afterward, users can swipe away and continue browsing seamlessly.
Circle to Search feature availability

Currently, Google’s Circle to Search feature is exclusively available on select Pixel smartphones and the Galaxy S24 series. However, it is anticipated that this feature will soon be extended to include the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series of tablets.

However, according to the updated feature sheet, this feature will not be introduced to the Pixel Fold, the company’s first foldable smartphone, and the budget-friendly Pixel 7a. Even though both of these devices are powered by the same Tensor G2 processor found in the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro.

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