Google seems very happy with Circle to Search on its Pixel phones, and yesterday a group of developers created an iPhone version as a shortcut. Now, it looks like Chrome on desktop will get the feature.
Industry escapee Leopeva64 in X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) posted several short clips of a possible Google Lens update for the browser that would allow manual control of the tool.
Clicking a lens icon in the toolbar turns the cursor into a crosshair with a camera icon in the corner. You can then click and drag it over an element on the screen. Once completed, a window will slide in from the right and display search results relevant to the selected content, presumably.
The demo videos do not show any search results once the window appears as it is a work in progress. In fact, the company has been working on this feature since at least March 2024. Leopeva64 links to previous threads that show how it has morphed over time.
(1/3) The new Lens UI in Chrome now has an animation similar to the one you see when you turn on Android's “Circle to Search” (in case there was any doubt this feature will be Chrome's version of “Circle to search”): pic.twitter.com/NSXoILdoRTMay 7, 2024
Something you'll notice in the demos is that Chrome takes a notable design cue from Circle to Search on Pixel. Highlighting an object causes the surrounding area to blur, showing only a clear view of what's in the frame. Unlike Circle to Search, you won't be able to draw a circle with the mouse. The videos indicate that you may be forced to use a rigid rectangular shape.
Improving old feature
Chrome on the desktop technically already has this capability, although it's not as intuitive. You could, for example, drag an image to Google Images to search for the topic in the search engine. Or you can select “Search image with Google” from the context menu of an image and have the results displayed on the side. These methods are arguably the same, but a Circle to Search tool would be easier to use and familiar if you have a Pixel or Galaxy phone.
You won't have to open another window to load an image and you can choose what you want to search for, instead of making adjustments later.
It is unknown when Chrome Search Circle will be implemented (assuming it is called that). 9To5Google claims that the tech giant plans to add more AI tools to its browser “this year.” In a recent interview, Chrome engineering director Adriana Porter Felt says her team is looking for ways to incorporate AI technology to perform everyday tasks like “using Search.” [and] reading web pages – a little easier.” The discovery of Leopeva64 could be part of this big push.
While we have it, check out TechRadar's roundup of the best Pixel phones for 2024 if you want to upgrade.
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