This story is from May 21, 2024

Google's Circle to Search feature to get these three new features soon

Google's Circle to Search feature to get these three new features soon

Circle to Search, Google's tool for easily searching text and images on your smartphone screen, is set to gain three new capabilities soon - the ability to save selected screen areas to the cloud, a "listen" feature for text-to-speech, and a "select all" option, reveals an APK teardown reported by Android Authority
Save Screenshots to cloud
The biggest upcoming addition allows you to save partial screenshots from Circle to Search directly to the cloud.
After selecting an area of your screen to search, a new "save" button will appear, uploading the image to a "saved" tab in your Google app and an "uploaded images" collection accessible at google.com/interests/saved. While you can't share individual screenshots, the entire collection can be shared with others who can also contribute their own images.
"Listen" for Text-to-Speech
Taking a cue from Google Lens, Circle to Search may also get a "listen" button to read aloud any highlighted text using text-to-speech. This accessibility-friendly feature would match Lens' existing listen mode for text in images.
"Select All" Text option
Rounding out the trio of new abilities is a "select all" button, likely borrowed from Lens as well. Rather than just copying snippets, this would allow selecting and copying entire blocks of on-screen text with a tap.

The new features were discovered in a teardown of the Google app beta version 15.20.36.29 by Android Authority and leaker AssembleDebug. However, it's possible some predicted features based on unreleased code may miss the final public release.
The enhancements come as Google aims to rapidly expand Circle to Search's user base, confirming plans to double its presence from 100 million to 200 million devices by year's end. Google also recently announced the tool will add homework assistance capabilities soon.
author
About the Author
TOI Tech Desk

The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA