Google releases new image-based search feature for Android phones

28/08/2025

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Google said on Thursday that it was launching a new image-based search feature for premium Android smartphones.

The new function, named “Circle to Search”, will be available to users of Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 series models in all languages from January 31, according to the US tech giant.

Google says Circle to Search can improve its users’ immersive experience by providing a new way to search for things on their phone without switching apps, and enabling more “intuitive” and “natural” search methods.

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The function will be activated by simply holding the home button or navigation bar on an Android phone, and users can circle, highlight, scribble or tap on an image to get more information about the item in the image.

However, regarding copyright protection, the function will not be available for personal images or images that cannot be captured via screenshot, the company explained.

Google also plans to launch artificial intelligence (AI)-based overviews in multi-search for Android and iOS this week in English in the United States.

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Google did not detail its plans to expand the capability to other regions or languages.

“Google will continue to envision a future where users can search anytime, anywhere they want” said Google Vice President of Search Elizabeth Reid.

“We will further apply generative AI to improve the user’s search experience in a constructive way,” he added, as broadcast by Yonhap, Thursday.

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