One of the most ground-leaping Google’s features, Circle to Search, is currently on the way to iPhones. Initially, it was announced that the circle to search was only on Google and Samsung devices, but it has been revolutionary for Android users, helping them to search anything on their screens. The modification Google brings to the Apple device is somewhat radical but with a few constraints. This guide presents all the essentials you need to know regarding Apple’s Circle to Search and also discusses the most recent news for the Google Lens.
What is Circle to Search?
Circle to Search is a feature that allows users to get the necessary information straight on their screen. On Android, subscribers will be able to by holding the navigation bar make a circle, a line or a tap on the screen and then send it to google to search information. This feature is so perfectly worked into any application or screen almost wasting it.
Circle to Search on iPhones: Key Differences
Limited Availability
- Platforms: The Circle to Search feature can only be found in the Goggle application and Chrome for iPhone.
- Activation: It does not work the same way as long pressure can be used but the three-dot menu has to be touched and “Search this Screen” selected to initiate a search.
Integration with Google Lens
Instead of full-fledged port of Circle to Search, Google is merging the function into Google Lens for iOS. Thus:
- Process: People are allowed to make a search for content directly on the screen in the Google app or Chrome.
- Limitations: The feature does not provide a deep system-wide integration similar to Android, and so it is not as seamless.
Upcoming Updates
- New Lens Icon: Google will soon introduce a new Lens icon in a few months which will enable the users to access the feature more easily.
- AI Overviews: Google Lens is also getting an upgrade with AI overviews, which are AI-generated descriptions of items searched.
What’s New in Google Lens AI Overviews?
Enhanced Search Results
- AI Descriptions: The company has also added AI-generated overviews for things like flowers and vehicles, so Google Lens users would get a lot more info from the web alongside the AI-driven overview.
- Availability: The update is rolling out to English-speaking people that live in the countries where the AI overviews are being deployed.
Improved User Experience
- Seamless Integration: Besides being Circle to Search which is not as smooth as Android, the new Lens features are making on-screen searches more intuitive.
- Cross-Platform Support: The updates are for both Android and iOS versions of Google Lens.
How to Use Circle to Search on iPhone
- Open Google App or Chrome: To begin, you will have to go to the Google app or the Chrome browser on your iPhone.
- Tap the Three-Dot Menu: In the upper right part, touch the three-dot menu
- Select “Search this Screen”: You ought to simply press the button to start the search anywhere on your screen.
- Circle or Tap: You will need to draw around, scrawl some marks around it, or set your fingertip on the location you want to search for.
FAQ
1. Is Circle to Search available on all iPhones?
Yes, Circle to Search function is accessible for all iPhones that are running the latest versions of Google app and Chrome.
2. Can I use Circle to Search outside of the Google app and Chrome?
No. The feature is only available on the Google app and Chrome for iOS at the moment.
3. What are AI overviews in Google Lens?
AI overviews mean that Google Lens can give to you the generated explanation about the objects you search for it, and provide links to the relevant resources of the objects you are looking for.
4. When will the new Lens icon roll out?
Google has plans to bring the new Lens icon in the next months.
Final Thoughts
Though the Circle to Search feature in iPhones isn’t as smooth as in Android, it represents a big step in the advancement of Google’s search technologies on Apple devices. The collaboration with Google Lens and the introduction of AI summaries also help the user’s learning experience to be much more effective as well as enabling one to search and get information about the environment.
Google AI Overview feature on iPhone.Credit: Google