Google Expands Visual Search Capabilities to iPhone with New Features

Google is extending its ‘Circle to Search’ feature to iPhone users, enhancing visual search functionality within its iOS applications.

This move allows iPhone users to seamlessly search for objects displayed on their screens, similar to the experience available on Android devices.

Google Lens Screen Search Now Available on iPhone

Previously exclusive to Android devices, Google’s Circle to Search feature is now accessible to iPhone users through the Google and Chrome apps, providing a comprehensive visual search experience on iOS.

Functionality Overview

To utilize this feature, iPhone users can access the Chrome or Google apps and initiate a Lens search through the app’s menu.

Instead of capturing a screenshot or switching to a different tab, users can highlight, draw, or tap specific areas on their screen to identify objects instantly.

Google then provides detailed information about the selected item.

Introduction of AI Overviews in Google Lens

In addition to the expanded Circle to Search feature, Google is enhancing Lens with AI Overviews, offering users more comprehensive information about identified objects.

AI-Driven Insights

Leveraging advanced AI models, Google Lens can now recognize a broader range of unique or obscure items, delivering richer context and information.

When Lens identifies an unfamiliar object, an AI Overview appears, presenting an in-depth description along with relevant web resources.

This feature operates automatically, eliminating the need for specific queries, though users can refine their searches further with follow-up questions if desired.

The Bottom Line

With the expansion of ‘Circle to Search’ and the introduction of AI Overviews, Google is significantly enhancing the visual search experience for iPhone users.

These updates bring powerful search capabilities previously limited to Android, making information more accessible and interactions more intuitive across platforms.