Google’s new Circle To Search is a fun new feature that’s only currently available on the company’s own Pixel 8 series smartphones, as well as the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S24 line-up. Thankfully, this exclusivity isn’t permanent and the new tool will eventually be made available to other Android devices, though don’t expect the rollout to occur anytime soon.
According to an official press statement issued by Samsung Netherlands last week, Circle to Search may become available on Android devices from other brands from 5 October 2024. It also added that no active developments for the tool’s wider expansion has commenced just yet, meaning that an earlier rollout than the date given may be unlikely.
While disappointing, locking features to certain devices for a limited time isn’t entirely new, especially when they’re marketed as one of the unique selling points for these selected products. On the flip side, users on older Samsung phones and tablets may get the chance to enjoy Circle To Search and other Galaxy AI features as early as mid-2024, something that the brand itself confirmed previously.
In case you missed it, Circle To Search is a new tool co-developed by Samsung and Google, which was introduced as part of the former’s new Galaxy AI system. This particular feature enables users to search for information regarding a specific subject in an image or video by drawing a circle around it, even those that appear in the background.
(Source: Samsung Netherlands, via GSMArena)
