Circle to Search has emerged as an invaluable tool for interacting with on-screen content, enabling users to quickly gather information and insights. As Google continues to innovate across its suite of applications, there are exciting developments on the horizon that enhance the functionality of this feature. Earlier this year, we discovered indications of a Circle to Search-like functionality integrated within Gemini, Google's advanced AI search tool. Though not yet available to the public, recent changes in labeling and functionality suggest improvements are on the way.
Google's extensive range of services and applications often leads to some confusion regarding available features. For instance, just last week, Google introduced AI Mode search to Circle to Search, allowing users to leverage artificial intelligence for enhanced search capabilities. Additionally, sharing content via Gemini Live has already been made possible. However, the ability to utilize screen input with the traditional Gemini setup is still not publicly accessible. A few months ago, we had a sneak peek at the development of this feature, and we now have new updates to share.
An APK teardown serves as a valuable tool for anticipating features that may soon be introduced based on unreleased code. While these predictions are not guaranteed to make it to public releases, they provide insight into Google's ongoing development efforts. In our previous analysis, we highlighted an upcoming change in Gemini that would introduce an “Ask about screen” button. This feature would enable users to either select their entire screen for input or specify a particular area for a more focused query.
In examining the recent beta build of the Google app for Android, version 16.27.68.sa.arm64, we have identified significant updates to the Gemini workflow. Notably, a new button may be introduced as part of this enhancement. We discovered a text string within the app that reads: “Code Circle anything to submit it to Gemini.” This suggests that when users activate the screen input for Gemini, they will encounter a new option labeled “Tell me about this.”
Upon selecting “Tell me about this,” Gemini will no longer default to analyzing the entire screen. Instead, it will prompt users to circle a specific area of interest before commencing its analysis. This change aligns closely with the functionality seen in Circle to Search, although Google has opted for different branding within the Gemini framework. While this may make sense for the teams managing these various products, it can feel somewhat disjointed from a user experience perspective.
As Google continues to refine its tools, it is likely that additional tweaks will be made to how this feature operates and is labeled before its official rollout in Gemini. Users eagerly await the public release of these promising updates, which aim to enhance their overall experience with Google's innovative technologies.
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