In a significant update announced during Samsung Unpacked 2025, Google unveiled enhancements to its Circle to Search feature. This innovative tool allows users to access information and perform tasks more efficiently through intuitive gestures such as circling, highlighting, or tapping on their mobile devices. The latest iteration of Circle to Search introduces expanded AI Overviews that provide richer visual results for various types of queries, including places, trending images, and unique objects. Additionally, the feature now recognizes and facilitates interactions with numbers, email addresses, and URLs directly on the screen, streamlining user experience across all compatible Android devices.
The evolution of Circle to Search marks a notable advancement in how users interact with information on their smartphones. Initially launched last year, this feature has been designed to simplify the search process by enabling users to initiate searches from virtually any point on their device using simple gestures. With the new updates, Google aims to enhance the utility of Circle to Search by incorporating AI-driven insights into a broader range of content. For example, when visiting a museum, an individual can circle an artwork to receive an instant summary of relevant details, along with links to explore further online resources. This seamless integration of AI Overviews promises to deliver more meaningful and actionable information without requiring additional text input.
Moreover, the updated Circle to Search functionality extends beyond just informational queries. It now supports practical interactions with elements displayed on the screen. Users can easily engage with phone numbers, email addresses, and web links by performing a gesture and selecting the appropriate action chip. This enhancement is particularly useful in everyday scenarios where quick access to contact information or websites is essential. By holding down the home button and circling the desired element, users can instantly trigger actions such as making a call, sending an email, or opening a webpage, thereby improving overall productivity and convenience.
These advancements underscore Google's commitment to enhancing user experiences on mobile platforms. The rollout of these features to all Android devices equipped with Circle to Search signifies a major step forward in leveraging AI technology to make information more accessible and actionable. As users begin to leverage these new capabilities, they can expect a more intuitive and efficient way to navigate and interact with digital content on their smartphones.