Google searches on certain premium Android phones are going to get substantially more powerful, thanks to the new Circle to Search feature, the company said in a press release Wednesday. The feature lets you pull up Google while using any app; circle or highlight any text or object; and, with the power of AI, instantly get search results about that text or object. This enhanced version of visual search will launch on the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 line of phones on Jan. 31.
Circle to Search, as the name suggests, lets you circle any object to search for it. For example, if you see a TikTok featuring funky-looking corn dogs, you can swipe up to bring up the Google app and circle the food item with your finger. Using AI, Google will give you the brief on Korean corn dogs. The AI can also explain the cultural relevance of Korean food in the current gastronomical zeitgeist.
The power here isn’t only being able to search any object or text you see on your screen but doing so without having to fumble between multiple apps.
This announcement coincides with Samsung’s announcement today of the same feature coming to the new Galaxy S24 line of phones. At the moment, other phones with this more powerful in-app version of Google Search haven’t been announced.
