Google Brings "Circle to Search" Gesture to iPhone Users
In a significant move, Google has found a way to bring a variation of its innovative "Circle to Search" gesture to iPhone users. The new interaction, launched in January, allows Android users to search from anywhere on their device by circling, highlighting, scribbling or tapping, making it easier to engage with Google Search from any screen.
A Glimpse into the Past
For a while now, iPhone users have been left out of this convenient feature, as Google doesn’t control the iOS operating system like it does on Android. To address this issue, Google has leveraged Apple’s Action Button on iPhone 15 Pro devices to enable a quick way to visually search anything on your screen with just a press of a button.
What is the Action Button?
The Action Button is no longer a simple ring/silent switch; it allows users to customize the functionality of the iPhone’s side button to their own needs. It can be configured to launch the camera, translate a conversation, enable a Focus mode, launch the Flashlight, and more. Alternatively, users can assign a Shortcut of their own to the Action Button to start another task, such as kicking off a ChatGPT voice session.
Google’s Solution
In Google’s case, the company has launched a shortcut that lets iPhone users start a visual search via Google Lens. According to Minsang Choi, Google Lens design manager, "It’s basically circle to search but faster!"
Using the Shortcut
To use the shortcut, iPhone users will need to have the Google app for iOS installed and then download the shortcut and assign it to the Action Button from iOS’s Settings.
Although the link to the shortcut has been pulled by Choi, there is still a way to create one. From the iOS Shortcuts app, create a shortcut that first takes a screenshot and then performs the action "Search Image with Lens," as shown in the example below. This essentially mimics the Circle with Search feature but uses Google Lens on iPhone.
A Workaround for Non-iPhone 15 Pro Devices
For users who don’t have an iPhone 15 Pro device, there is a way to configure the Accessibility feature Back Tap to launch the new shortcut instead.
The Limitations of iOS Development
The release of this shortcut highlights the challenges involved in trying to innovate new ways to interact with technology when building for iOS. A workaround had to be used in place of offering a gesture, which may have been more intuitive and user-friendly.
Conclusion
Google’s solution to bring the "Circle to Search" gesture to iPhone users is a significant development, especially considering the limitations imposed by Apple’s operating system. While it may not be as seamless as the Android experience, this shortcut provides an alternative way for iPhone users to visually search anything on their screen with just a press of a button.
Related Topics
- Apps
- Circle to Search
About the Author
Sarah Perez is a Consumer News Editor at TechCrunch. She joined the company in August 2011 after having previously spent over three years at ReadWriteWeb. Prior to her work as a reporter, Sarah worked in I.T. across a number of industries, including banking, retail, and software.
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