Google unveils new image-based search feature for premium Android smartphones
A mobile phone user experiences an image-based search feature on Samsung Electronics' latest Galaxy S24, in the U.S., Jan. 16. Yonhap
Google said Thursday its new image-based search feature for premium Android smartphones, including Samsung Electronics's latest Galaxy S24 series, will be launched later this month.
The new function, named "Circle to Search," will be available to users of Google's Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy S24 series models in all languages from Jan. 31, according to the U.S. tech giant.
Google said Circle to Search can enhance the immersive experience of its users by providing a new way to search for something on their phone without switching apps, and allow a more "intuitive" and "natural" method of searching.
The function will be activated by just holding down the home button or navigation bar on Android phones, and users can circle, highlight, scribble or tap on the image to get more information about items in the image.
But for copyright protection, the function will not be available for private images or images that cannot be captured by a screenshot, the company explained.
Google also plans to newly launch artificial intelligence (AI)-powered overviews in multisearch for both Android and iOS this week in the English language in the United States.
Google did not elaborate on its plan to expand the capability to other regions or other languages.
"Google will continue to envision a future where users can search anyway, anywhere they want" said Elizabeth Reid, Google vice president of search. "We will further apply generative AI to enhance users' search experience in a constructive manner." (Yonhap)