Google has enhanced its Circle to Search feature, enabling it to auto-scan barcodes and QR codes. This significantly speeds up information retrieval. The AI visual lookup scans these codes through the viewfinder.
It then displays a chip with a direct website link. The feature is available on compatible Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones. Users can activate it by long-pressing the home button or navigation handle.
The new capability allows users to scan QR codes and barcodes instantly. This makes the process quicker and more efficient. Mishaal Rahman demonstrated this feature on X.
He said, “Circle to Search can now automatically scan barcodes and QR codes! This feature was spotted by @AssembleDebug in late June but has now rolled out to myself and several other people.”
Circle to Search acts as a smart visual search tool. It analyzes what’s on your screen and provides information based on the highlighted or circled content. It also scans visible QR codes on your screen.
It then shows handy chips with URLs, enabling easy and direct website access. Once a URL appears, users simply tap the link to visit the webpage. This update cuts out extra steps, enhancing user experience by making data access quicker and more convenient.
To try this feature, users with compatible Google Pixel and Samsung devices can visit a webpage or open an image with a QR code. They can then long-press the home button or navigation handle to activate Circle to Search. This update aligns with Google’s continuous efforts to improve Circle to Search.
The goal is to make it more user-friendly and efficient.
Auto-scanning QR codes
At the Made by Google 2024 event, a new feature for Circle to Search was unveiled.
It enables users to quickly crop and share screenshots. This addition to Circle to Search is currently rolling out to users. After activating Circle to Search and selecting the area you want to share, there’s a new “Share” button above your selection.
This brings up Android’s system share sheet. It provides a fast way to send your selected content to others. Unlike traditional screenshots that you might have to crop before sharing, these are not saved to your device.
However, users can upload their selections to Google Photos or save them to Google Keep directly from the share sheet. While the feature is convenient for larger images, the resolution of smaller saves is not particularly high. So in some cases, downloading the image might be preferable.
This feature was quietly announced alongside the Gemini Live update earlier this month. If automatic scanning doesn’t work on your phone, you can still circle the QR code manually to find the URL. However, this method is slower as you have to wait for it to load the URL each time.
To try it out, long press your home button. Make sure the QR code in question is visible. There’s no confirmation yet on whether this feature will eventually be available for older phones.
It may come with a future update. Google has been actively working on improving Circle to Search. Integrating automatic barcode and QR code scanning is a significant improvement.
