The Circle to Search feature by Google has sparked considerable interest lately. This feature enables users to trigger searches by circling content directly on their screens and has already been integrated into select Pixel and Galaxy devices.
Google is always trying to enhance the user experience across its suite of tools, and Chrome is no exception. That’s why, following the introduction of Circle to Search on Android, a similar feature is making its way to desktop Chrome/Chromebooks with a Google Lens icon.
Let’s take a look at the details.
Also read: Google enhances search experience in Chrome mobile app with these new features
According to a report by 9To5Google, the new feature is live in the ChromeOS 127 beta and Chrome 128 beta. Also, it’s already appearing on the “What’s New in Chrome” page, indicating that it could be available in the stable version soon.
“Google Lens in Chrome makes it easy to search anything you see on your screen. Search within a video you’re watching, a slide in a livestream, or an image on a webpage. Google Lens will give you answers right there, in your tab, and you can continue browsing with the new information you’ve found,” the page reads.
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To enable Circle to Search on Chromebooks, click the new Google Lens icon located in the address bar next to the bookmark star. Google will then prompt you to “Select anything to search with Google Lens,” showcasing the same animation seen on Android devices.
Your cursor will transform into crosshairs with a “Drag to search” loupe that includes the Lens icon. You can double-tap to select the area and adjust the box as needed. Search results will then appear in a Google Lens side panel.
On Windows and Mac, the Lens icon doesn’t appear in the address bar. Instead, you’ll find a new “Search with Google Lens” option in the overflow menu, which you can pin alongside other side panel shortcuts for easy access.
