Android Supercharges Search and AI with Major Upgrades to Circle to Search and Gemini Live
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In a significant move to weave artificial intelligence deeper into the fabric of its mobile experience, Google has unveiled powerful new capabilities for its popular Circle to Search feature and the conversational AI, Gemini Live. Announced in conjunction with Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 launch, these updates promise to make searching more intuitive, gaming more seamless, and AI assistance more contextually aware.
Circle to Search Gets a Genius Upgrade with Integrated AI Mode
Google is supercharging its innovative Circle to Search tool by directly integrating its new "AI Mode." First introduced in Google Search earlier this year, AI Mode provides users with a conversational, Gemini-powered chatbot experience for finding information, a departure from the traditional list of blue links.
Previously in limited testing, this powerful AI Overview is now accessible directly within Circle to Search on Pixel and Samsung devices. Users can long-press the home button or navigation bar, and then simply circle, tap, or highlight an object or text on their screen. If a conversational AI response is deemed most helpful for the query, an "AI Overview" will automatically appear in the results. For those wanting to explore the topic further, a new option to "dive deeper with AI Mode" will be available at the bottom, allowing for follow-up questions and a more interactive search journey without ever leaving the current app.
A Gamer's New Best Friend: In-Game Assistance with Circle to Search
Mobile gamers are also receiving a significant boost with a new Circle to Search feature that was first teased in January. Players can now get contextual help without pausing or closing their game. By activating Circle to Search while in a game, users can find information on characters, get strategy tips, or look up solutions to puzzles.
What makes this feature particularly powerful is its ability to find articles and videos that are timestamped to the exact moment in the game where the user needs assistance. This eliminates the need for cumbersome searches and allows players to get the help they need and jump right back into the action.
Gemini Live Expands Its Senses and Integrations, Starting with Samsung
The updates extend to Gemini Live, Google's real-time conversational AI. In a deepening of its partnership with Samsung, Google is rolling out exclusive features for the new Galaxy Z Flip 7. Gemini Live can now leverage the foldable's external cover screen and camera, allowing the AI to "see" and answer questions about the world around the user without even needing to open the phone.
Furthermore, Gemini Live is being integrated directly into Samsung's native applications. Users will be able to use the AI to perform tasks within Samsung Calendar, Notes, and Reminders, with Google promising that support for apps from other manufacturers will be coming soon.
The AI assistant is also making its way to your wrist. Gemini is beginning its rollout to smartwatches running the new Wear OS 6. This includes the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series, as well as devices from Pixel, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi, bringing a new level of AI-powered assistance directly to users' wearables.
This wave of updates, announced alongside the latest generation of Android 16 and Wear OS 6 devices, underscores Google's commitment to creating a more intelligent and helpful mobile ecosystem. By embedding AI more deeply into core functionalities like search and expanding its reach to new form factors and third-party apps, Google is painting a clear picture of a future where AI is a seamless and indispensable part of the Android experience.
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