5 Advanced Tricks for Using Google’s Circle to Search on Android – Computerworld

One of my favorite Android features right now is also new and Familiar.

This is Circle to Search. It’s a clever concept that was announced earlier this year for Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones, as well as the Galaxy S24, and is currently in the process of being rolled out to more Android devices.

Circle to Search excels in both its power and simplicity. On any available device, simply press and hold your finger in the bottom center of the screen to invoke Circle to Search and search for whatever’s currently on the screen. .

The “circle” part works because after activating the system, you circle your finger around the specific area of ​​the screen you want to explore. This could be an image that you want to get additional context for, or a graphic that contains text that you wouldn’t normally be able to select. Words or phrases you want to copy, define or research further.

J.R.

This is roughly the same power that Google gave us and then quickly usurped back in 2015 with a feature called Google Now on Tap. Although the technology behind the systems has become more sophisticated over time since Now on Tap’s debut and subsequent retirement, the core concept remains surprisingly similar.

And now, the system is packed with more productivity possibilities than ever before. That’s especially true if you know about the impressive yet completely invisible tricks inside it.

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Let me show you some of the best Circle to Search magic I’ve discovered over the past few weeks. If you are using a mobile phone, I don’t Circle to Search is still available, but don’t despair. There is a clever workaround that allows you to experience many of the same benefits. Any Android devices (even if Circle to Search itself doesn’t exist).

Android Circle to Search Trick #1: Zippity Zoom

First of all, have you ever found it difficult to circle or highlight small size text on your screen after enabling “Search in Circle”?

Note: Once the Circle to Search system appears, you can zoom in or out of the frozen area below it by pinching two fingers apart or together on the screen.

JR Rafael, IDG

Good to know, right?!

Android Circle to Search Trick #2: Bump into a bar

A clear sign that Circle to Search is active is the Google search bar at the bottom of the screen. But what if the area you want to search by drawing a circle is as follows? Under Can’t access that bar?

What no one may realize is that the Circle to Search bar is actually completely fluid and movable. Just tap and swipe or flick your finger up to move it to the top of the screen instead.

JR Rafael, IDG

Hmm!

Android Circle to Search Tip #3: Easy Adjustments

Here’s a great way: If you’ve ever wanted to shift Circle’s focus to search rear Once you activate it and draw your first circle, you don’t have to end your current session and start over.

Instead, tap your finger anywhere on the screen to select another area, or use your finger to draw another circle. This works and the original focus is instantly replaced with the new focus you select.

JR Rafael, IDG

And speaking of post-adjustments…

Android Circle to Search Tip #4: Follow up quickly

The next time Circle to Search brings up information about something on your screen and you want to dig deeper into that same subject, keep this in mind: You can ask follow-up questions related to your selection to ask for more information.

This trick works if you select an object surrounded by a box. area Display the screen using Circle to Search, not just highlighted text. If you have highlighted text, you will need to tap on an empty area of ​​the screen where no text is visible to bring up the box tool and drag it to the appropriate area first.

However, once you select an area in the box, you can ask a conversational question about what you see in Circle to Search by simply tapping the Google search bar in the panel at the bottom of the screen, or by tapping the microphone icon in the bar. I can. .

look?

J.R.

And finally…

Android Circle to Search Trick #5: On-demand translation

Translating languages ​​on Android has always been relatively easy, but it’s even faster when you combine it with Circle to Search.

Just launch Circle to Search while displaying the word you want to translate. Now, next to the search bar at the bottom of the screen, you will see a circular icon. It’s an icon with an “A” in it.

JR Rafael, IDG

Tap on it. And in the blink of an eye, a prompt will pop up on your phone asking you which language you want to translate into.

JR Rafael, IDG

Choose what you want and bam: before you can say a word.Bonjour, Pample Mousse”, you can put your translation in front of the innocent peeps and have them read it right away.

JR Rafael, IDG

Pamal, pamplemousse. Pas mar du tout.

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