Pixel Phones To Allow Use Of Circle To Search In Split Screen

Google’s Pixel smartphones might soon be adding split-screen support for its popular feature - Circle to Search. It means that players will be able to use the feature while using two apps side by side on their screen.

In a write-up for Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman came across something interesting while looking for the Pixel Launcher app bundled with the Android 15 Beta 1.2 release. The Android expert found a flag that will allow Pixel users to use Circle to Search while running apps in split-screen mode.

The feature first came on the Galaxy S24 series before it could make its way to Google’s flagship Pixel series. Circle to Search quickly rose to popularity, thanks to its snappy and convenient way to search for information by just circling on the display.

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Feature Could Stop Working In Certain Scenarios

Unlike Samsung smartphones that offer Circle to-Search support, Pixel phones are unable to use the feature in split-screen mode. It looks odd for Google to intentionally restrict the feature on its own devices, hinting it might be a bug that went unnoticed during development.

Circle to Search comes fused within the Google app, as the Android expert points out. This implies switching the default digital assistant from the company to another service might make the feature stop working. Earlier, it seemed that this restriction could be related to Android's Assist API, but Rahamn later found out that it wasn’t the case.

For Pixel owners who like to do multiple things simultaneously but want a faster search option at the same time, the Circle to Search issue might be upsetting. Thankfully, Android 15 is set to be rolled out in the fall, so Pixel users don’t have to wait for a long time before they can use this handy feature.

This upgrade will make the feature more handy, allowing users to search for information without hampering their multitasking flow when using two apps simultaneously. Recently, it was also reported that Circle to Search could also get "Copy Image" and "Share Image" features soon. Tapping on “Copy Image” will allow users to copy what’s in Circle to Search, and then edit it on the device.

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Google To Add RealFill AI Photography Feature Soon

Google has been very aggressive with gen AI features lately. The company’s Magic Editor has demonstrated the company’s ambitions very evidently. Now, it seems the company’s next AI-powered photo feature could be called RealFill.

Google has silently filed a trademark for the new tech recently with the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the US Patent and Trade Office. The trademark brief reads: “Providing non-downloadable software using artificial intelligence (AI) for inpainting images; Providing online non-downloadable software for creating generative models.”