GOOGLE EXPANDS CIRCLE TO SEARCH WITH NEW GEMINI-POWERED “CIRCLE TO GEMINI” ANALYSIS FEATURE

A new update is bringing Gemini-driven screen analysis to Android devices through an expanded version of Circle to Search, allowing users to draw on the screen and ask questions that trigger Gemini's multimodal interpretation capabilities.

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The feature, appearing on some devices ahead of a wider rollout, represents the next phase of Google's effort to merge real-time onscreen interactions with AI tools that can understand images, text and context without requiring app switching or manual copy-and-paste steps.

Early users report that the new experience appears as “Circle to Gemini” inside the interface, replacing the familiar Circle to Search animation on supported devices. Instead of redirecting a query to Google Search, the gesture now opens a Gemini panel capable of offering broader interpretations, followup questions, and multimodal responses tied directly to whatever is displayed on the screen. The update is being delivered through server-side changes in combination with new beta app versions, with availability varying by region and device model.

GEMINI BECOMES THE NEW LAYER FOR ONSCREEN ANALYSIS

The shift from Search to Gemini reflects Google's broader integration strategy across Android, where Gemini is gradually becoming the primary system assistant for devices running newer versions of the operating system. With Circle to Gemini, users can highlight content by circling, scribbling or tapping, and Gemini will analyze the selected area to provide contextual answers. These interactions include identifying objects, interpreting diagrams, evaluating text, parsing screenshots, or offering explanations tied to onscreen material.