Google is integrating a feature similar to Circle to Search into Chrome’s address bar for desktop PCs and laptops. Until now, Circle to Search was only available on mobile devices, with native integration on some Androids and through a Google Lens workaround on iOS.
Circle to Search is one of Google’s new “crown jewels” in the AI era. It lets you launch quick Lens-powered searches on anything you see on your screen. Lens will return useful results related to the item you’re searching for, all without switching to another app. It can tell you nearby stores that sell a certain pair of shoes, translate text from an image, identify monuments or works of art, and much more.
Chrome’s address bar now includes a Circle to Search icon in the desktop app
As reported by 9to5Google, Chrome browser users will be able to use the Circle to Search-like feature on both desktop PCs and Chromebook devices. It’s easier to use on Chromebooks, as the browser is getting a new search bar Google Lens icon. Clicking on it will bring up a resizeable box that you can use to highlight any item in the UI. You’ll then receive the search results in a sidebar on the right.
On the other hand, the feature is less visible in Chrome for Windows and Mac. Instead of having a Lens button in the address bar by default, there’s a new “Search with Google Lens” option in Chrome’s settings. However, you can add the button to Chrome’s toolbar (not the address bar) by clicking on the “Pin” icon that appears at the top of the search results sidebar. After that, the Lens icon will be available next to the “Extensions” button.
Either way, the Mountain View giant describes the feature by saying that “Google Lens in Chrome makes it easy to search anything you see on your screen. Search within a video you’re watching, a slide in a livestream, or an image on a webpage. Google Lens will give you answers right there, in your tab, and you can continue browsing with the new information you’ve found.”
Enables faster and more instant searches
Chrome already offered the option to start a search on items while browsing. For example, you could highlight text or right-click on an image to get Google results in the sidebar. However, the Circle to Search integration adds versatility to the feature. There’s no doubt that Google wants to boost the reach of Lens by making it easier to use on as many platforms as possible.
2024-07-31 15:09:31