Select iPhones can imitate Google's handy Circle to Search tool with new shortcut

Date:
Wed, 08 May 2024 19:00:09 +0000

Description:
Google developers have launched Screen Your Screenshot for the iPhone 15 Pro, but it may actually work on older models.

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A select handful of Pixel and Galaxy smartphones have the exclusive Circle to Search feature . By holding down the home button on one of the models, an overlay will appear that lets you circle objects on screen to identify them through Google Search. Weve wondered if and when Google plans on widely rolling out Circle to Search to more smartphones. Funnily enough, a similar feature has recently been released, but its on iPhone.

Its called Search Your Screenshot and was created by a group of developers
who work on the Google Search app for iOS. Minsang Choi, who is a design manager for Google Lens, states it adds a visual search function to the
action button on an iPhone 15 Pro . Pressing the button takes a screenshot of whatevers on the display and the software proceeds to run a Google Lens scan. After its done, search results appear from buttons complete with images,
forum posts, and shopping links to the object it detects. Choi says, Its basically Circle to Search but faster. (Image credit: Google/Minsang Choi)

He has since deleted his post on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) where he initially shared information about the shortcut. We do have the images he posted. They show a settings menu of presumably Choi configuring Search Your Screenshot on an iPhone. The second picture shows the shortcut appearing on the action buttons unique interface with the third image displaying results for a Teenage Engineering computer case.

If you want to see it in action, 9To5Google, as part of its coverage, made a YouTube video demonstrating Search Your Screenshot. Choi says you can try out the tool by installing the Google Search app on your iPhone or downloading
the shortcut from iCloud . How to enable on older iPhones

Going back to 9To5Googles report , they made an interesting discovery. Search Your Screenshot is not exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro because it works on older models that support the Back Tap gesture . This means devices as old as the iPhone 8 can run the feature. However, setting it up on an older model requires more work.

Apple has instructions teaching people how to connect shortcuts to Back Tap . It involves going into the Settings menu, choosing the gesture you want to
use (a Double Tap or Triple Tap), and then applying Search Your Screenshot. According to the publication, be sure to select Always Allow when you first use the tool to enable Google Lens uploads.

After reading through everything, we couldnt help but wonder about other Android phones. This function isnt available on Google Search for Android which is strange. Although it may not be the same as Circle to Search, Search Your Screenshot is still a useful tool. So we contacted the tech giant asking if there are plans for further expansion. Well let you know if we hear back.

Til then, check out TechRadar's list of the best iPhones for 2024. You might also like The best phone 2024: top smartphones in the US right now The iPhone 16 could come in a green shade with the same color trick as the iPhone 15 The Google Pixel 8a is here - and yes, you can already get it for free with this deal



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/select-iphones-can-imitate-googles-han dy-circle-to-search-tool-with-new-shortcut


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