Google debuts new way to search on phone, Circle to Search

Cathy Edwards VP/GM, Search for Google, blogged in part earlier: “Our phones are a window to the world’s information – whether it’s to explore a passion, solve a problem, buy the perfect gift, learn a new skill or simply find a reason to smile. And when you’re truly immersed in a moment of discovery or exploration, it can feel disruptive to stop what you’re doing and switch to another app to learn more. That’s why we’re introducing Circle to Search, a new way to search anything on your Android phone without switching apps. Now, with a simple gesture, you can select what you’re curious about in whatever way comes naturally to you – like circling, highlighting, scribbling or tapping – and get more information right where you are.For example, maybe you need help identifying a few items a creator wore in their “Outfit of the Day” video, but they didn’t tag the brands. Just long press the home button or navigation bar on your Android phone to activate Circle to Search. From there, you can select any item that you see with your preferred gesture – like circling their sunglasses – to quickly find similar, shoppable options from retailers across the web. You could scribble the bag and tap on the boots to look those up, too – all without leaving where you are. When you’re done, simply swipe away and you’re right back where you started.”