Gemini Circle Screen: This is how Google's new smart circle works

Google has begun activating a new feature on some Android phones called Gemini Circle Screen, designed to Understand what appears on the screen with a simple circle gesture.This tool, which It's very reminiscent of Circle to Search.It sends the selected area directly to the Gemini assistant for analysis and response within an AI conversation, instead of opening a classic search.

With this move, the company reinforces its commitment to integrate Gemini's capabilities within the system itself, reducing intermediate steps such as switching apps, copying and pasting text, or launching separate searches. The result is a smoother experience that combines the comfort of the circle gesture with more elaborate responsesSummaries, translations, or comparisons, all without leaving the chat thread with the AI.

What exactly is Gemini Circle Screen and how does it differ from Circle to Search?

The new feature Gemini Circle Screen It allows you to draw a circle, scribble, or tap on any part of the screen so that that fragment is sent to Gemini.It could be text within a photo, a product appearing in a video, a complex graphic, or even a series of mathematical formulas; The AI ​​receives that exact section and starts a conversation based on what it sees..

From there, the user can make queries of the type “What brand is this jacket?”“Explain this chart to me step by step” or “Find me cheaper options similar to this product.” The important thing is that all These questions are linked within the same chat.Therefore, it is easy to refine the request, ask for more details, or change the approach without having to start from scratch each time.

Compared to Circle to Search, the key difference lies in the query's destination. While Circle to Search launches a traditional search with web results, Gemini Circle Screen leads the selection to Gemini's conversational interfaceThe gesture is very similar, but the experience is different: instead of a "one-time" response, it opens the door to a continuous dialogue with the AI.

The way to activate the feature has also changed. Circle Screen now appears as an option in the Gemini overlay The assistant is invoked with a gesture from the corner of the screen, while Circle to Search is typically integrated with a long press on the navigation bar or the home gesture. For those who already use Gemini daily, This integration makes the flow virtually instantaneous and frictionless..

How to use Gemini Circle Screen step by step

The practical operation is quite simple: all you need to do is slide in from a corner From the screen to open the Gemini interface on phones where the feature is available. Once the assistant is visible, the user can choose how to interact with the on-screen content: draw a circle around an element, make a rough doodle, or simply tap on a specific area..

At that moment, the system captures a kind of partial screen croppinglimited to the marked area. This fragment is then sent to the Gemini models, which analyze it and generate an initial response. From there, a conversation thread opens, allowing users to request clarifications, further comparisons, translations, or summaries without having to repeat the circle gesture.

This approach is well suited to different use casesFrom asking about a product that briefly appeared in a video, to summarizing a long text being read on a social media app, to understanding a technical diagram in a specialized article. Since everything is within Gemini, It is possible to combine several successive requests on the same screen cutout.

The tool is not limited to identifying objects: it can also explain complex conceptsOffer instant translations of texts in other languages ​​or suggest alternatives based on the context of what you see. Instead of opening multiple applications (translator, browser, search engine), The user performs a single gesture and continues in the same interface.

Initial availability and progressive rollout on Android mobiles

The first appearances of Gemini Circle Screen have already been detected in some recent Android devicesincluding models from manufacturers like Samsung. However, other users, including Pixel phone owners, have not yet seen the feature activated, suggesting a phased rollout controlled from Google's servers.

Availability may depend on several factors: account type, region, language, and version This applies to both the Google app and Google Play services, as well as the Gemini client itself. For those who want to try, the basic recommendation is to keep all these applications updated and check if the new set of screen tools appears when you invoke Gemini with the corner gesture.

As with other advanced features of the Google ecosystem, Times may vary from country to country and between devices, something especially relevant for users in Europe and SpainIn these regions, the arrival of new features is often contingent on privacy regulations and regional settings. Furthermore, phones managed by businesses and IT administrators may take longer to receive the feature if internal policies restrict screenshots or the use of AI assistants.

In any case, everything indicates that Circle Screen It's part of a broader Google plan to extend Gemini's capabilities beyond the Pixel and high-end models, with the intention that it will also reach mid-range phones as the rollout stabilizes.

From one-off searches to multimodal conversational help

With Circle Screen, Google reinforces a clear trend: moving away from tools of specific visual search to an assistant that understands text, images, and other screen elements together within a conversation. Instead of simply identifying an object and taking the user to a results page, Gemini can compare products, create document summaries, translate long paragraphs, or advise on next steps.all in one session.

This evolution fits with the strategy of more advanced models such as Gemini 1.5capable of handling longer inputs and following multiple follow-up questions without losing context. Thanks to this, The user doesn't have to decide beforehand whether to use Google Lens, Circle to Search, or Gemini's own chat.The new feature condenses these options into a more natural flow.

For day-to-day use, this means fewer decisions about which tool to use and more focus on the task: writing an email, organise a travelto understand a report or check reliability of information. The circle gesture becomes a kind of unified gateway to the device's artificial intelligence.

At the same time, Google doesn't appear to have any intention of completely replacing Circle to Search or Google LensBoth solutions still have their place, especially for Quick queries and shopping-oriented searches, where the user expects to see classic results, filters, and links to stores.

Relationship with Circle to Search and Google Lens

Despite the similarities, Gemini Circle Screen is not intended to replace Circle to Search or Google Lens, but rather to reframe its useCircle to Search has established itself as one of the most popular features on some of the latest flagship and mid-range mobile phones. demonstrating its usefulness in immediately identifying products, places, or objects.

Google has made it clear that its intention is to bring Circle to Search to tens of millions of additional devicesAnd Lens continues to receive billions of visual queries every month. Based on that, Circle Screen acts more as an additional layer: for those who prefer a conversational and flexible approach, screen selection is handled within Gemini; for those who want a classic search, Circle to Search is still available.

The difference, in practice, lies in the type of result the user expects. If what they are looking for is a prompt and timely response (for example, identifying a monument and seeing related links), Circle to Search is a better fit. If, on the other hand, a detailed explanation, summary, or comparative analysis is needed, Gemini Circle Screen is better suited to the extended dialogue format.

This coexistence of tools reflects a progressive transition Google's move towards an ecosystem where users can choose between quick results or additional assistance accompanied by AI, depending on the context and the level of detail needed at any given time.

Privacy and practical aspects of screen sharing with Gemini

Each time the user performs the circle gesture, the system captures a partial screen cropping and sends it to Gemini for analysis. Depending on the configuration and model used, the processing can be done on the device itself or in the cloud. The fact that only a fraction of the screen is sent reduces the exposure of sensitive data that may appear in other areas, although it does not eliminate it completely.

For this reason, it is It is recommended to disable notification previewshide confidential information or close applications with sensitive data before using the feature, Specially in professional environments or when working with corporate accounts. In organizations with strict data control policies, administrators can completely disable the option to share screen regions with AI assistants.

From an everyday usage perspective, many users may appreciate the convenience of not having to copy and paste text or switch apps to translate, summarize or clarify what they are seeing. However, since it is a tool that "sees" what is on the screen, it is foreseeable that debates will arise about data management, anonymization criteria and the treatment of information that passes through the models.

Google, for its part, is integrating these functions within a broader privacy control frameworkwith options to limit the use of data to improve models and to manage history of interactions with Gemini. Even so, the adoption of Circle Screen will also depend on the trust generated by this balance between convenience and protection of personal information.

With the arrival of Gemini Circle Screen, Android phones now offer a further step towards a form of interaction in which the user can point to any part of the screen and obtain explanations, summaries, or comparisons without leaving the application you're currently using. The rollout is still limited and uneven depending on the device and region, but the direction seems clear: Fewer tool hopping and more continuous conversations with AI to understand what we see on the mobile with a simple circle gesture.

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Alberto navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.