Circle to Search now offers one-tap actions for phone numbers, emails and URLs

Today may seem like it’s all about the Galaxy S25, but if you use an older Android phone, there’s something new for you too. Starting today, Google is rolling out an enhanced version of Circle to Search to all Android devices. 

As a reminder, Circle to Search is an AI-powered feature Google released at the start of last year. You can access it by long-pressing your phone’s home button and then circling something with your finger. At its most basic, the feature is a way to use Google Search from anywhere on your phone, with no need to switch between apps. It’s particularly useful if you want to conduct an image search since you don’t need to take a screenshot or describe what you’re looking at to Google.

As for those enhancements I mentioned, Google is adding one-tap actions for phone numbers, email addresses and URLs, meaning if Circle to Search detects those, it will allow you to call, email or visit a website with a single tap. Again, there’s no need to switch between apps to interact with those elements.

In less exciting news, Google is bringing AI Overviews to Circle to Search. As long as your device is set to English, the company’s AI-generated Search summaries will appear when relevant. Google said it was preparing to greatly expand the availability of AI Overviews when it debuted Gemini 2.0 at the end of last year, so the fact they’re now integrated with Circle to Search should not come as a surprise. As with any Google release, it may take a few days before you see today’s update arrive on your device.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/circle-to-search-now-offers-one-tap-actions-for-phone-numbers-emails-and-urls-180005330.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/mobile/circle-to-search-now-offers-one-tap-actions-for-phone-numbers-emails-and-urls-180005330.html?src=rss
Created 18h | Jan 22, 2025, 7:50:25 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

The best eco-friendly phone cases for 2025

We all want to protect our phones from the inevitable drops, scratches and tumbles of daily life, but what if your phone case could protect more than just your device? The best eco-friendly phone c

Jan 23, 2025, 12:10:12 PM | Engadget
How to watch the latest Xbox Developer Direct showcase

Xbox is hosting its

Jan 23, 2025, 12:10:11 PM | Engadget
Extremely OK Games has cancelled its follow-up to Celeste

Extremely OK Games has cancelled its upcoming game Earthblade. The followup to the team's beloved indie sensation Celeste was

Jan 23, 2025, 12:30:17 AM | Engadget
Canon has developed a 410-megapixel full-frame sensor

Canon announced that it has created a new

Jan 23, 2025, 12:30:16 AM | Engadget
Dozens of subreddits are banning X links from their communities

Dozens of subreddits have opted to block links to X in their communities over the last 24 hours in a movement that appears to be gaining momentum across Reddit.

Jan 22, 2025, 10:20:04 PM | Engadget