Tag: Circle to Search

  • Nothing Phone (1) Update: Circle Search & Power-Off Password Feature

    Nothing Phone (1) Update: Circle Search & Power-Off Password Feature

    Key Takeaways

    1. Circle to Search Feature: Users can now quickly search text, images, or videos on their screen by long-pressing the Home button or Navigation bar.

    2. Power-Off Password Check: A new security feature prevents unauthorized shutdowns, especially useful if the device is lost or stolen.

    3. Performance Enhancements: The update improves the responsiveness of the Settings menu, speeds up Quick Settings in landscape mode, and enhances Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and overall system stability.

    4. New Wallpapers: The update includes new wallpapers for a more personalized user experience.

    5. February Security Patch: The update incorporates the latest security patch, ensuring improved device security.

    Nothing has launched a significant update for its Phone (1), incorporating Google’s Circle to Search along with essential security features. The new 202MB Nothing OS V3.0-250218-1552 update is ready for download, providing enhancements in functionality and performance.

    Major Features

    The highlight of this update is the Circle to Search function, which allows users to quickly search any text, image, or video displayed on their screen. To activate this feature, simply long press the Home button if you are using the 3-button navigation or the navigation bar in gesture mode. You can turn it on by going to Settings > Special features > Gestures > Navigation mode.

    Another noteworthy addition is the power-off password check, which prevents unauthorized shutdowns of the device—this is especially important for phones that are lost or stolen. Users can activate this feature by searching for “Power off verify” in the Settings. Additionally, the update brings new wallpapers for a personalized touch.

    Enhancements in Performance

    This update enhances the responsiveness of the Settings menu, speeds up the Quick Settings pull-down in landscape view, and boosts the stability of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and overall system performance. It also includes the security patch for February 2024. You can find the complete changelog detailed below.

    Changelog for Nothing OS V3.0-250218-1552

    New features:
    – Circle to Search is now available. Start a search from any on-screen text, image, or video:
    – For 3-button navigation: Long-press the Home button
    – For gesture navigation: Long-press the Navigation bar (Make sure it’s not hidden)
    – To enable Circle to Search, go to: Settings > Special features > Gestures > Navigation mode > Circle to Search
    – Added power-off password verification to stop immediate device shutdown if your phone is lost. To enable, search ‘Power off verify’ in Settings.
    – New wallpapers have been added.

    General improvements:
    – Increased speed of the Settings response.
    – Optimized the Quick Settings pull-down speed in landscape mode.
    – Improved Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and system stability.
    – Updated to the February security patch.

    Installation Instructions

    Users can download this update by navigating to Settings > System > System Updates. It’s recommended that users install this update right away for better security and functionality.

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  • Google Launches Circle in Search for iPhones with Restrictions

    Google Launches Circle in Search for iPhones with Restrictions

    Key Takeaways

    1. Circle to Search has expanded from Google and Samsung phones to more Android devices and now to Apple devices, but with limitations.
    2. On Android, users can easily use Circle to Search across almost all apps by long-pressing the navigation bar.
    3. iPhone users have a restricted experience, only able to access the feature within the Google app and Chrome through a three-dot menu option.
    4. Google is integrating Circle to Search into Google Lens on iOS, improving usability but not achieving full system-wide access like on Android.
    5. Google Lens is receiving AI upgrades, providing users with AI-generated summaries and links related to the items they search for.

    Circle to Search has become one of Google’s notable triumphs lately. Initially, it was only available on Google and Samsung phones, but in late 2024, it started to spread to more Android devices. Now, Google is bringing this feature to Apple devices, although there are some significant restrictions.

    Functionality on Android

    On Android devices, Circle to Search is compatible with nearly all applications and screens. Users can easily activate it by long-pressing the navigation bar, after which they can circle, scribble, or tap on anything displayed to get more information.

    Limitations on iPhones

    On the other hand, iPhones have a much more limited experience. The feature is only found within the Google app and Chrome. Instead of the straightforward long-press action, users must tap the three-dot menu and choose “Search this Screen” to initiate a search.

    Integration with Google Lens

    Rather than fully transferring Circle to Search, Google is basically merging its capabilities into Google Lens as an additional feature for Chrome and the Google app on iOS. This makes sense since Lens has provided similar functions for a while, though users usually need to open the app and upload a screenshot to identify what they see on their screens. The latest update does streamline the process a bit, but it’s still not as user-friendly as it is on Android.

    Coming soon, a new Lens icon will be introduced to simplify access to this feature even further. However, complete system-wide integration like what exists on Android isn’t in the works for now.

    AI Upgrades for Google Lens

    In addition, Google Lens is getting enhanced with AI overviews. Now, when users search for something like a flower or a car using Google Lens, they will receive an AI-generated summary of the item, along with links to online resources related to it.

    This update is gradually being released to English-speaking users in regions where AI overviews are available.

    Google Launches Circle in Search for iPhones with Restrictions
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  • Access Circle to Search on Chrome Desktop Now Available

    Access Circle to Search on Chrome Desktop Now Available

    Google introduced the Circle to Search feature for select premium Android devices earlier this year in January. Currently, it has been expanded to desktop users as well, available in both ChromeOS and the Chrome browser. This feature facilitates easy searches based on visual content.

    Beta Availability

    Circle to Search is now accessible in the beta versions of ChromeOS and the Chrome browser for Windows and macOS. Specifically, it is available on ChromeOS 127 beta and Chrome 128 beta. It is anticipated to roll out to the general versions soon. The feature is named “Search with Google Lens” for Windows and macOS, whereas on ChromeOS, it is referred to as “Drag to Search.”

    Users on macOS or Windows with Chrome 128 beta can activate this feature by choosing “Search with Google Lens” from the overflow menu. This option can also be pinned to the side panel for quick access. On ChromeOS, users can initiate the feature by clicking the new Google Lens icon in the address bar.

    How It Works

    This feature allows desktop users to search for anything on their screen by simply dragging a box around the desired element. According to the release notes for Chrome 128 beta:

    “Google Lens in Chrome makes it easy to search anything you see on your screen. Search within a video you’re watching, a slide in a livestream, or an image on a webpage. Google Lens will give you answers right there, in your tab, and you can continue browsing with the new information you’ve found.”

    It’s expected that the feature will be included in the stable versions of Chrome for macOS and Windows in the next few weeks, making it accessible to all users as described.

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  • Android Circle to Search May Soon Include Audio and Music Features

    Android Circle to Search May Soon Include Audio and Music Features

    Samsung's Galaxy S24 series has introduced Galaxy AI, a suite of artificial intelligence-powered features designed to simplify everyday tasks. Among the standout features of Galaxy AI is Google's Circle to Search, which is now accessible on Pixel devices as well.

    The Circle to Search feature allows users to obtain information about anything on their screen by simply drawing a circle around it. Recently, new reports indicate that Google is working on enhancing Circle to Search by adding the capability to recognize songs and popular audio clips.

    New Audio Search Button

    The information comes from @AssembleDebug, who uncovered it during an APK teardown, as noted by Android Authority. According to the report, the latest beta version of the Google app, which supports Circle to Search on Android devices, includes a code string that references a new Audio search button.

    <string name="omnient_zerostate_audio_search_button_content_description">Audio search button</string>

    AssembleDebug succeeded in enabling the UI for this new button, which resembles a musical note. The button appears alongside the existing button for on-screen text translation.

    Functionality and Speculations

    Currently, the button is non-functional, and Google has not provided an official explanation regarding its purpose. However, based on the musical note icon, it is speculated that clicking the button could allow Circle to Search to use the phone's microphone to analyze ambient sounds.

    If a song or well-known audio clip is detected, the feature would then offer relevant information. There is also the possibility that Circle to Search might allow users to hum a tune for identification. It is worth noting that there is already a microphone icon in the search bar that offers similar song search capabilities.

    If this feature operates as anticipated, it would make song identification and information retrieval simpler for Android users. Hopefully, the upcoming beta version of the Google app will shed light on the button's functionalities by activating them. We will keep you updated with any new details about the feature as they become available.

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  • Circle to Search Expands Pixel 7 Series for Google SEO

    Circle to Search Expands Pixel 7 Series for Google SEO

    Google has recently introduced the Pixel Feature Drop for March, unveiling a range of new features. Notably, a feature previously announced two months ago is now being extended to older Pixel models, specifically the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. This feature, known as Circle to Search, is already present in the Pixel 8 series.

    Circle to Search Widens its Reach to Pixel 7 Series

    In an official blog post, Google confirmed that the March Pixel Drop will bring Circle to Search functionality to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. However, as is common with software updates, it may take some time for all devices to receive it. Similar to the process with the Pixel 8 series last month, it appears that Circle to Search activation on the Pixel 7 lineup is a server-side switch.

    The presence of this feature was first noticed by a Reddit user on their Pixel 7 Pro, which was running an Android beta build. Android Police also investigated and found Circle to Search operational on their Pixel 7 device. Their unit was operating on a stable Android 14 version with a February security patch and a January 2024 Play System update. According to reports, the feature became accessible after updating the Google app to the latest beta build, mirroring the experience of the Reddit user. Users could also activate Circle to Search by reverting to the stable version of the Google app, suggesting that the beta version may have triggered its availability.

    Therefore, for those who have not yet received the Circle to Search feature, it is advisable to ensure that the Google app is regularly updated to the most recent version. Users can check for its availability by long-pressing on the home button or navigation bar on their devices.

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