Google is bringing Circle to Search to the Gemini overlay

Google is bringing Circle to Search to the Gemini overlay Image of the Google Gemini assistant overlay on an Android phone.

By Karandeep Singh Oberoi Published 40 minutes ago Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism and Mass Media graduate who joined the Android Police team in April 2024, after serving as a full-time News Writer at Canadian publication MobileSyrup. Prior to joining Android Police, Oberoi worked on feature stories, reviews, evergreen articles, and focused on 'how-to' resources. Additionally, he informed readers about the latest deals and discounts with quick hit pieces and buyer's guides for all occasions. Oberoi lives in Toronto, Canada. When not working on a new story, he likes to hit the gym, play soccer (although he keeps calling it football for some reason🤔) and try out new restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area. Sign in to your Android Police account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Google's image search tools have overlapping functionality. Circle to Search (CtS) can do a lot of what Google Lens, and the same is true the other way around.

You can then add Gemini Live's video mode to the mix, which can see and analyze what your phone's camera sees, alongside being able to analyze on-screen content. Essentially, Gemini Live offers the best of both Google Lens and CtS.

Related Google gives Lens a clearer reason to exist alongside Circle to Search

Lens and CtS find their roles

Posts 1 By Karandeep Singh Oberoi Jan 14, 2025

Similarly, back in May, Google was spotted working on integrating CtS' functionality into the Gemini overlay (not Gemini Live). That integration is exactly what seems to be going live now.

As highlighted by X user HHUUEELL (via Android Authority), they're now able to access the integration on their Samsung device. Here's what that looks like:

Exactly like CtS, but via the Gemini overlay

Although the new integration has no 'camera view analyzing' capabilities, it does make narrowing down on-screen searches, via the Gemini overlay, much easier.

You simply pull up the Gemini overlay, circle the content of interest, and type in your query, as seen in the video above. For what it's worth, this is almost identical to CtS' regular workflow, albeit with the extra option to type in a query at first.

The functionality seems to be rolling out now, though it hasn't made its way out widely. I don't have it on my OnePlus 12R or Pixel 8. The same goes for the folks over at Android Authority.

This isn't a made-up feature. Google itself has shown it in the past, making it clear that it will land for users sooner rather than later.

Are you able to access CtS functionality from the Gemini overlay? Let us know in the comments below!

Applications
Google Gemini

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