Google Integrates Circle to Search โWithin Gemini, Streamlining Mobile Facts Access
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAโ – Google is accelerating its โฃconvergence โof visual search tools, now bringing the functionality โคof Circle to Search directly into the Gemini app interface. The rollout, which began appearing for some users this week, allows for swiftโ contentโ selection and analysis within the Geminiโฃ overlay, offering a โคmore integrated and efficientโ searchโ experience.
This update โขmarks aโค significant โstep in Google’s strategyโค to position โGemini as theโ central hub for all search queries. โขPreviously, users relied on separate apps – Lens for image analysis, โCircleโ to โฃSearch for on-screen selections, โคand Gemini Live for real-time camera โsearches. Combining โฃCircleโ to Search within Gemini simplifies the process, โฃenabling users to instantly query anything visible on their phone’s display withโ a familiar gesture, and then refine those searches with text โคprompts. While Gemini Live retains its dedicated function โฃfor live camera views,this integration offers a ample convenience upgrade.
The feature was first โคspotted inโค advancement in May, โand early reports from users like HHUUEELL on X demonstrate its operation on Samsung devices. Users can activate the Gemini overlay and then circle โขan element on โtheโ screen to initiate aโ search. Though currently โฃlimited โin availability – not yet appearing โฃonโฃ devices like the OnePlus โ12R orโค Pixel 8, or among testers at Android authority – โคGoogle has confirmedโค the feature’s rollout, โฃsuggesting wider access isโค imminent.
Google envisions a future where users can effortlessly ask questions about any โขcontent on their phones,โ be it images, text, or app interfaces,โฃ with Gemini โฃserving as โthe clever layer powering those โขinteractions. This โmove underscores Google’s commitment to evolving search beyond customary text-based queries and โtowards a more intuitive, visually-driven experience.