2024 started with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24, which was an opportunity to present the Galaxy AI suite of functions. The Circle to Search tool, powered by AI and developed by Google, is presented as an improved Google Lens which allows users to circle elements on their screen to launch a search based on the displayed image. This feature, which, like the rest of Galaxy AI, was initially reserved for the S24, is now rolling out to a wider range of smartphones, namely the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 with the One update UI 6.1.
At the same time, Google announced the expansion of Circle to Search to its Pixel line of devices. Available initially on the Pixel 8 (from January 31, 2024), this functionality is now deployed on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, which benefited from it with the arrival of the Pixel Drop in March 2024. It is It’s also the turn of older or less high-end models, the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, as well as the Pixel 6a and 7a to benefit from it too. Additionally, the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold will soon get this tool, bringing its latest innovations to a wider audience. Good news which should encourage owners of these devices to keep them, but also a surprise, insofar as Google had initially announced that it would bring Surround to search only on its Pixel 8 range.
But that’s not all: Google is also enriching the Circle to Search function by adding text translation. Now users can quickly translate content on screen using this intuitive gesture. This feature makes it easy to translate documents, PDFs, and even textual content found in images, significantly speeding up the workflow of multilingual users.