Samsung introduced several new AI-powered features with the Galaxy S24 series. One of those features is Circle to Search with Google. It is a Google-powered feature that searches for things that match any chosen image or for any object appearing on the screen. While that feature debuted on the Galaxy S24, it is no longer exclusive to phones in the lineup.
Circle to Search is not exclusive to Galaxy S24 anymore
The Circle to Search feature is now rolling out to Pixel smartphones from Google. It is still limited to the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, though, and comes as a part of the newest Pixel Feature Drop update. The Circle to Search feature will go live on January 31, 2024, which lines up with the availability date of the Galaxy S24 series. You can activate this feature by long-pressing the home button and then circling the object you need more information about. It is similar to Google Lens but works much faster. In our in-depth video about Galaxy AI below, you can watch the Circle to Search feature in action.
The newest Pixel Feature Drop also brings other features, including using the temperature sensor to check your body temperature. Earlier, the feature was limited to non-human subjects. Google says this feature is “medical-grade,” meaning it may have received clearance from the FDA. However, how accurate it turns out remains to be seen. Older phones, like the Pixel 7 (and newer), are getting the Magic Compose feature to rewrite a composed message for better language. While this feature happens on-device on the Pixel 8, older phones need internet connectivity for that processing.
January 2024 Pixel Feature Drop update brings Quick Share to Pixel smartphones
This new software update also brings the new Quick Share feature, which was recently created by merging Google's Nearby Share and Samsung's Quick Share file-sharing systems. This unified feature now works on all devices that run any recent version of Android. It even works on computers/laptops running Chrome OS and Windows. Improved Audio Switching is also coming to Pixel devices, letting the wireless connection of the Pixel Buds automatically switch from one Pixel device to another based on where media is being played.
The Photomoji feature is also coming to Google Messages for RCS. This new feature lets you choose any image, like yours or your pet's, and use it as an emoji for message reactions. The pictures you turn into Photomojis are saved in a separate tab so you can reuse them later. The new Pixel Feature Drop update will be released to compatible Pixel phones and tablets over the coming weeks.
