A select handful of Pixel and Galaxy smartphones have the exclusive Circle to Search feature. By holding down the home button on one of the models, an overlay will appear “that lets you circle… objects” on screen to identify them through Google Search. We’ve wondered if and when Google plans on widely rolling out Circle to Search to more smartphones. Funnily enough, a similar feature has recently been released, but it’s on iPhone.
It’s called Search Your Screenshot and was created by a group of developers who work on the Google Search app for iOS. Minsang Choi, who is a design manager for Google Lens, states it adds a visual search function to the action button on an iPhone 15 Pro. Pressing the button takes a screenshot of whatever’s on the display and the software proceeds to run a Google Lens scan. After it’s done, search results appear from buttons complete with images, forum posts, and shopping links to the object it detects. Choi says, “It’s basically Circle to Search but faster”.
(Image credit: Google/Minsang Choi)
He has since deleted his post on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) where he initially shared information about the shortcut. We do have the images he posted. They show a settings menu of presumably Choi configuring Search Your Screenshot on an iPhone. The second picture shows the shortcut appearing on the action button’s unique interface with the third image displaying results for a Teenage Engineering computer case.
If you want to see it in action, 9To5Google, as part of its coverage, made a YouTube video demonstrating Search Your Screenshot. Choi says you can try out the tool by installing the Google Search app on your iPhone or downloading the shortcut from iCloud.
How to enable on older iPhones
Going back to 9To5Google’s report, they made an interesting discovery. Search Your Screenshot is not exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro because it works on older models that support the Back Tap gesture. This means devices as old as the iPhone 8 can run the feature. However, setting it up on an older model requires more work.
Apple has instructions teaching people how to connect shortcuts to Back Tap. It involves going into the Settings menu, choosing the gesture you want to use (a Double Tap or Triple Tap), and then applying Search Your Screenshot. According to the publication, be sure to select “Always Allow” when you first use the tool to enable Google Lens uploads.
After reading through everything, we couldn’t help but wonder about other Android phones. This function isn’t available on Google Search for Android which is strange. Although it may not be the same as Circle to Search, Search Your Screenshot is still a useful tool. So we contacted the tech giant asking if there are plans for further expansion. We’ll let you know if we hear back.
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Circle to Search is one of the most talked about AI features available on One UI 6.1, the version of One UI that introduced the Galaxy AI experience to Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
With Circle to Search, you can circle or highlight any images or text you see on their screen to instantly search for them on Google, without leaving the current app you’re using. Circle to Search replaces Google Assistant as the default way of asking Google to look things up for you on the internet from any app or screen on the device and can be accessed by long pressing the home button.
The Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra were the first Samsung devices to come preloaded with Circle to Search, and Samsung later made it available for older Galaxy flagships through the One UI 6.1 update. Circle to Search also received an interesting new feature that some may find more useful than the search functionality: instant language translation.
How to instantly translate on-screen text using Circle to Search
Whether you’re reading text on a website in your phone’s browser or viewing a PDF file, Circle to Search can instantly translate that text to different languages with a press of a button.
It’s a simple yet effective feature, and here’s how you can use it on a compatible Galaxy smartphone or tablet:
Step 1: Long press the home button to bring up Circle to Search when you come across text that you wish to translate.
Step 2: Tap the language translation button (highlighted in the screenshot below).
Step 3: Select the target language to which you want to translate the original text. The language of the original text will be auto detected by Google, but you can manually change the source language as well if the auto detection doesn’t work.
Step 4: As soon as you select the target language, Google will show you the translated text (we translated English to Dutch for the purpose of this guide, and the result can be seen in the screenshot below).
Once the on-screen text has been translated, you can tap any word in the translated text to instantly look it up on Google. You can also copy that word or any part of the text to the clipboard for pasting in other apps.
Not seeing the translate button? Your Google app may need updating
Circle to Search is part of the Google app that comes preloaded on all Android phones, and if you don’t see the language translation button when long pressing the home button to bring up Circle to Search, you may need to update the Google app on your device.
You can see all the app updates available for your device by opening the Play Store app, tapping your profile icon, and selecting Manage apps and device. Some new features can also require a server-side update, so you may have to wait a few days for the translate option to show up even after updating the Google app.
Which devices support Circle to Search?
Circle to Search is only available for Galaxy devices that have received the One UI 6.1 update with Galaxy AI. Those include all of Samsung’s flagship smartphones and tablets from 2023 and 2022, and you can check out the full list of devices that support Galaxy AI or will get Galaxy AI in the future here.
We’ve been enjoying being able to play around with the AI-powered Circle to Search feature since it arrived – first on the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 phones – and it seems it could be getting some new capabilities in the near future.
According to well-known tipster @AssembleDebug (via PiunikaWeb), hidden snippets lurking in the Circle to Search code seem set to boost the feature with options for capturing parts of the screen and sharing them with other people.
Sections of the screen can be selected with a tap, a circle, or a scribble with Circle to Search, and you’re then able to tweak the area that’s been selected. As it stands now, you can then run a search based on the highlighted pictures or text.
What’s apparently coming soon are new Copy image and Share image buttons that’ll pop up whenever something is selected. It’s effectively a quick and easy way of capturing part of the screen, to go alongside the existing screenshot options on Android.
More AI to come
🔥 Circle to Search on Pixel will soon let you copy and share selected areas as images📝 Read – https://t.co/J0EOtc6Rgt#GooglePixel #Google #Android pic.twitter.com/CCUljuTq4qApril 20, 2024
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As yet there’s no indication of when this might roll out to smartphones – and of course there’s always the option that Google software engineers will change their minds and decide not to add the extra Circle to Search capabilities after all.
However, considering that the source of this leak has been able to get the feature working – complete with new-look blue handles at the sides of selections, rather than white brackets – it can’t be too long before this feature gets introduced (if indeed it does).
Circle to Search and various other AI features have slowly been rolling out to older Pixel and Galaxy phones, after making their debut in the latest flagships. It’s not clear exactly what kind of hardware performance is required to get the tool to run smoothly.
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It’s called Circle to Search, which can be used to do Google searches on anything that is on your phone or tablet screen. As Google puts it, “Circle to Search can help you quickly identify items in a photo or video.”
Circle to Search is accessed by long-pressing the home button, and you draw a circle around the item, object, or text of interest so Google can look it up on the internet. Think of it as an advanced version of Google Images, the search engine that lets you find images on the World Wide Web.
However, to some, Circle to Search may feel unnecessary or overrated. While Circle to Search works great, not everyone is looking for something so advanced, and they are perfectly fine sticking to the old Google Assistant to search for things by typing or voicing their query.
Unfortunately, Samsung decided that the home button gesture to bring up Google Assistant is better suited to firing up Circle to Search. On devices that support Galaxy AI features on One UI 6.1, Google Assistant has to be accessed by swiping in from the bottom right or bottom left corner of the display.
How to disable Circle to Search on One UI 6.1
If you have been a long-time Google Assistant user, long-pressing the home button will likely be second nature to you, but doing so on One UI 6.1 will bring up Circle to Search, which you may find frustrating.
Well, while you can’t reassign the home button to Google Assistant, you can do the next best thing and save yourself from the frustration: disable the home button gesture/shortcut for Circle to Search.
Yes, Circle to Search can be disabled, and it takes just a couple of seconds. Follow the steps below to turn it off.
Open the Settings app on your phone or tablet.
Scroll down and tap Display.
Scroll down in the display menu and select Navigation bar.
Use the toggle to turn off Circle to Search.
Long-pressing the home button will no longer bring up Circle to Search. But remember: you still have to swipe in from the bottom right or bottom left corner of the display to access Google Assistant, as Google Assistant cannot be assigned to the home button anymore.
No, it’s not Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, but Target is back with yet another Circle Week deals event running through Saturday, April 13. Amazon had a spring sale two weeks ago so it seems natural that Target would follow suit. The good news? Some of our favorite tablets, headphones, and kitchen items are discounted.
There’s a caveat: you need to be a Target Circle member. However, it’s free to join and nets you some solid savings throughout the year. Unlike prior Circle Week deals events that required you to clip the deals to your account first, these should automatically apply as long as you’re signed into your Target account.
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Tablet and Laptop Deals
Apple iPad Mini (2021, 6th Gen)
Photograph: Apple
We suspect a new line of iPads is coming out sometime in May, including a new Mini. If you want the newest, it’s worth waiting, but this model still works fine. The 2021 Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) got a makeover more akin to the iPad Pro with slim bezels. The 8.3-inch screen is great for portability and can still help you get work done thanks to the A15 Bionic processor inside, which is plenty fast and can handle most intensive apps and games.
The 9th-gen iPad is cheaper at $250, but the 2022 base iPad received a facelift and USB-C support for charging, making it worthwhile, especially at this price. The rear camera has been upgraded to 12 megapixels instead of eight, and the front camera is in the center in landscape mode so you don’t have to readjust your position to take video calls. It also finally comes in fun colors instead of silver or Apple’s usually sad attempt at pink. (It still only supports the first-gen Apple Pencil.)
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
Photograph: Best Buy
This is our favorite tablet under $200, and this deal brings it down to under $100. It’s not our first choice—Amazon devices heavily push Prime services and apps, not every Android app is available, and you need a workaround to get the Google Play Store. But if you need a cheap tablet for playing games and watching movies, this will do the job. If you’re OK with a smaller screen that’s not as sharp, the 2022 Fire HD 8 is discounted to $65 ($35 off).
Amazon has two versions of its kid tablets in multiple sizes, the regular and the Pro. This regular one is best for young kids around 3 to 7 years old. It’s the same as the standard version but it has added kid benefits like a rugged case, a two-year replacement guarantee, and a year of Amazon Kids+ for kid-friendly media. The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is best for older kids, from 6 to 12 years old. That one is out of stock from Target but available on Amazon for $150 ($40 off). The 8 Pro is also discounted to $100 ($50 off).
The older version of the Pro 9 is our pick for a laptop/tablet hybrid; this version has a faster processor. It runs Windows, so you can rely on it for more heavy work on its 13-inch screen. It has a built-in kickstand, but if you want a keyboard, you’ll need to purchase it separately.
This is an older version of the Aspire 3 that we currently recommend as a great cheap laptop. The screen is a bit lackluster, but 12 gigabytes of RAM is plenty at this price. However, if you’re not strictly in Target shopping mode right now, the 12th-gen version is discounted to $359 from Walmart.
Headphone Deals
Beats Fit Pro Bluetooth Earbuds
Photograph: Beats
The Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are some of the best-sounding buds we’ve tried for the price. They’re comfortable and stay put in nearly any workout scenario, with six hours of battery life if you have active noise canceling turned on. They also come in fun colors like neon yellow and coral.
The AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) do occasionally reach their $249 list price, but they’re frequently discounted between $200 and $190, which makes this more in line with the regular price than a deal. Still, if you’ve been wanting new headphones, these are solid and feel much better in your ears than the regular AirPods. This model has the USB-C charging port on the case, so you don’t need that Lightning cable anymore.
We typically see these earbuds at about $200, rather than the $250 MSRP. We loved the Powerbeats Bro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) when we reviewed them in 2019 because they sound great with nine hours of battery life and fit securely in your ears. They’re starting to get a bit old now and lack active noise cancelation, but they’re still good earbuds if you want the extra security.
Kitchen and Home Deals
KitchenAid 5.5-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
Photograph: Target
There are several sizes and types of KitchenAid mixers, but as of right now, this is the only one discounted. It has 11 speed settings and the 5.5-quart bowl is still a good size for cookies and dough unless you’re baking for particularly large crowds. KitchenAids are investments, but they should last you forever.
This isn’t an uncommon sale, but it’s a Keurig we generally recommend if you only need one cup. It’s narrow, so it fits well on cramped countertops or even on a desk. It usually comes in more fun colors, though most are out of stock from Target right now—you can still find them on Amazon.
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum
Photograph: Dyson
Dyson gets a lot of praise for its stick vacs—and we like a bunch of them—but this upright vacuum (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is great for cutting through pet hair. WIRED writer Jaina Grey said it was the only thing to stand up to her rabbit’s unruly hair. Neither the canister nor the roller head ever suffered a clog or tangle. And while not being tethered to an outlet is convenient, it’s also nice to not have to think about charging your vacuum mid-clean.
We’re big fans of Target’s in-house home brand and these percale sheets are my personal favorite. They don’t go on sale often, so it’s a good time to grab a set if you’ve been in need. Percale is a type of cotton weave that generally results in cool, crisp sheets. I found that to be accurate here; they’re crisp without being stiff and I don’t heat up or itch all night while sleeping in between them. We also really like its linen sheet set, but only a few sizes are available right now. A bunch of other bedding is discounted by 30 percent too.
If you already need to go shopping for things like laundry detergent, toilet paper, and other general cleaning and kitchen supplies, you can get $15 back to spend later.
Last week, Google announced that it will soon upgrade Circle to Search, which is one of the highlights of the Galaxy S24, with the ability to instantly translate content on the screen from one language to another, even if the content is in the PDF format. Well, that feature is finally here. According to a new post from Mishaal Rahman on X/Twitter, Google has started rolling out the ability for Circle to Search to instantly translate the content on the display from one language to another to some users.
As you can see in the video that he has shared, to access the feature, you will have to long-press on the home button or the navigation bar to summon Circle to Search, and then tap on the translate button at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Once you do that, if there’s any content on the display that’s in any other language than the one you prefer, it will convert the content from that language to the one you prefer.
We haven’t received the feature on our Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S24+ in India. But it doesn’t mean that Google isn’t rolling it out to Galaxy smartphones. We are expecting Google will offer the new feature with an update to the Google app. So, keep checking for the new version of the Google app on the Play Store.
Google has announced that Circle to Search will roll out to its older and mid-range Pixel devices starting from March 27. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the AI feature is coming to “more Pixel and Samsung phones, foldables and tablets.”
Several older Samsung devices should also receive Circle to Search beginning this week via an update to One UI 6.1. As reported by Android Central, this will include last year’s Galaxy S23 series. Both Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, as well as the Galaxy Tab S9 series of tablets, will receive Circle to Search too.
It’s unlikely that older phones from the Pixel 5 line or any further back will get the feature as OS support for these models has ended.
To use Circle to Search, all you need to do is press and hold the home button to activate an overlay that lets you use your finger to circle the element you want to search for. The AI-powered search should then identify what’s been circled, and provide relevant search results for that subject.
It’s good to see Google not holding its cutting-edge AI features back from older and more affordable devices, and allowing more Pixel users to get their hands on Circle to Search without forcing them to upgrade.
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One UI 6.1 made its debut with the Galaxy S24 series, and starting today, Samsung is rolling it out to many high-end smartphones and tablets. One of the highlights of the software customization is Ciricle to Search, which allows you to research anything on the display by drawing a circle around the object. While the feature is still new, Google is already upgrading it with a very useful functionality. The company has announced that in the coming weeks, Circle to Search will be able to translate content on the screen.
To access this feature, you’ll have to long-press on the home button or the navigation bar to bring up Circle to Search and tap the translate icon. After that, Circle to Search will automatically detect the language of the content on the display and translate it to your preferred language. You don’t even have to draw a circle around it. For example, if you open a PDF file of a hotel’s menu that’s in Japanese, you can summon Circle to Search, tap the translate icon, and it will convert the language of the menu to English.
Currently, if you want to translate content that’s on the display (say a PDF file of a menu), you have to take a screenshot, head to Google Translate, and select that image. The app will then detect the language in the image and convert it to your preferred language. As you can see, this process requires you to not only capture a screenshot but also switch applications (exit from the PDF viewer and then go to Google Translate). With Circle to Search offering the translation feature, you won’t have to do any of that.
Google just announced that it’s expanding its tool to , as part of an update to various core services. Circle to Search, as the name suggests, already lets some Android users research stuff by around an object.
The forthcoming language translation component won’t even require a drawn circle. Google says people will just have to long press the home button or the navigation bar and look for the translate icon. It’ll do the rest. The company showed the tech quickly translating an entire menu with one long press. Google Translate can already do this, though in a slightly different way, but this update means users won’t have to pop out of one app and into another just to check on something.
The translation tool begins rolling out in the “coming weeks”, though only to . This list currently includes Pixel 7 devices, Pixel 8 devices and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, though Google says it’s coming to more phones and tablets this week, including some foldables.
Google Maps , with an emphasis on AI. When you pull up a place on Maps, like a restaurant, artificial intelligence will display a summary that describes unique points of interest and “what people love” about the business. The AI will also analyze photos of food and identify what the dish is called, in addition to the cost and whether it’s vegetarian or vegan. The company hopes this will make it easier to make reservations and book trips.
Google
On the non-AI side of things, Maps is getting an updated lists feature in select cities throughout the US and Canada. This will aggregate lists of must-visit destinations pulled from members of the community and local publishers. There will be tools to customize these lists as you see fit.
These will be joined by lists created by Google and its algorithm, including a weekly trending list to discover the “latest hot spots” and something called Gems that chronicles under-the-radar spots. All of these Maps updates are coming to both Android and iOS devices later this month.
Google is launching a new way to search on your smartphone called Circle to Search, this is a new feature that lets you circle a party of photos on your device and then Google will search for whatever you have circled on your device.
Samsung just launched their new Galaxy S24 range of smartphones and a partnership with Google Cloud for a range of AI tools, one of the tools the handsets will come with is the new Circle to Search feature. You can see this new search feature in action in the video below, you can also highlight and scribble on the item as well as circling it.
For example, maybe you need help identifying a few items a creator wore in their “Outfit of the Day” video, but they didn’t tag the brands. Just long press the home button or navigation bar on your Android phone to activate Circle to Search. From there, you can select any item that you see with your preferred gesture — like circling their sunglasses — to quickly find similar, shoppable options from retailers across the web. You could scribble the bag and tap on the boots to look those up, too — all without leaving where you are. When you’re done, simply swipe away and you’re right back where you started.
You can find out more details about the new Google Circle to Search feature over at Google’s website at the link below, it certainly looks like a really cool feature and it will be interesting to see exactly how it works.
Source Google
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