The latest Google Lens update may bring Circle to Search to many more phones
Google apparently has plans to expand its Circle to Search feature to other Android phones via Google Lens. In a recent deep dive, news site Android Authority found clues for the update in the recent beta files of the Google app and compiled them all together.
What’s especially interesting is that they managed to get the tool to work on a smartphone, possibly hinting at an imminent release. According to the report, they even managed to get a pop-up notification to appear informing users that the update would be coming.
It tells people to press and hold the home button to open Circle to Search, just like the experience on the Galaxy S24. Once activated, a three-button navigation bar appears at the bottom and an accompanying video shows the tool in action as it looks up highlighted areas of the Play Store on Google Search. The user interface is, unsurprisingly, similar to how it works on Galaxy phones, with searches moving up from the bottom.
Clash with Gemini
You may notice that the rainbow filter animation is gone, replaced by a series of dots and lines. Well, that’s the old beta, and the newer version has the animation and the Translate button, which appears at the bottom right next to the search bar.
At first glance, it seems like Circle to Search on Google Lens is close to launch, although it’s still a work in progress and there are still a few kinks to be ironed out. For example, how will it work on a smartphone with the Gemini app, as holding down the home button launches the chatbot? Google could prioritize Circle to Search in this case, so that long-pressing the button launches the tool instead of the AI. It’s too early to tell at this point, though.
New navigation option
Android Authority also found “XML files that reference pill-based gesture navigation.” If you don’t know what that is, it’s the oval shape at the bottom of Android screens. This shape lets you move between apps with simple gestures. Google Lens could potentially bring this option, allowing users to ditch the three-button navigation bar, but it may be a while before it rolls out as it’s not working in beta versions.
Circle to Search on Google Lens, however, is likely to stick with three buttons. The original report has a theory on this, as they believe that implementing the pill navigation would bring systemic over-the-air (OTA) updates to millions and millions of Android smartphones, which may or “may not be feasible.” So in order to get Circle to Search to people sooner, the navigation option will have to be pushed back a bit. The three-button solution is easier to implement.
There’s no word yet on when the update will roll out, but we’re hoping it happens soon as it’s a great feature and currently a highlight for the Galaxy and Pixel devices that have the feature.
During your visit, be sure to check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best Android phones for 2024.