Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google is testing an replace to the Pixel Launcher that allows Circle to Search to work in split-screen mode.
- On Pixel units at the moment, Circle to Search doesn’t work whereas in split-screen mode.
- The characteristic enables you to faucet, scribble, or draw a circle over any textual content or picture on the display that you just need to search for on Google Search.
I ceaselessly search the net by means of Google Search every day, which is why I believe Circle to Search is likely one of the greatest Android options Google has made in years. When you come throughout some textual content or picture you need to search for, all it’s essential to do is press and maintain on the navigation capsule on the backside to convey up Circle to Search on virtually any display.
The important thing phrase there may be virtually any display as a result of there are some areas the place Circle to Search gained’t work, both as a result of the app blocks it or as a result of the characteristic itself doesn’t assist it. As an illustration, Circle to Search at the moment doesn’t work when you could have two apps side-by-side in split-screen mode, not less than on Google Pixel telephones. That might change within the close to future, although.
Below the hood, Circle to Search makes use of Android’s Help API to entry a picture of the display. That’s why the characteristic doesn’t work when you disable “use screenshot” underneath Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app when Google is ready as Android’s default digital assistant app. It’s additionally why altering the default digital assistant app to one thing apart from Google breaks Circle to Search, for the reason that characteristic is a part of the Google App.
As a result of Circle to Search makes use of Android’s commonplace Help API to take screenshots, it has all the restrictions that include it, akin to not with the ability to take screenshots of safe home windows in apps. I initially assumed earlier than writing this text that there was a limitation in Android’s Help API that prevented apps from working with screenshots of different apps in split-screen mode, however my testing with a third-party assistant app later confirmed that’s not the case. In actual fact, Circle to Search on the Samsung Galaxy S24 collection (and I assume different supported Samsung telephones) already works in split-screen mode.
Whereas it’s odd this limitation appears unique to Pixel units, Google is not less than conscious of the issue. Whereas I used to be digging by means of Google’s Pixel Launcher app within the newest Android 15 beta, I found a flag that, when enabled, allowed me to invoke Circle to Search whereas in split-screen mode on my Google Pixel 8 Professional. Right here’s a fast video that demonstrates what that appears like:
It’s simply as you’d anticipate, which makes us query why this limitation at the moment exists on Pixel units. In any case, we’re glad to see this limitation shall be mounted and hope it makes its method right into a steady launch for Pixel customers quickly.