The app “Files by Google” will receive a new shortcut for Circle to Search when displaying images. This is what the folks at 9to5Google suggest, who were able to find corresponding hints in the Android app’s code.
Once Google rolls out this feature (it’s not certain if it will, just that it’s being worked on), when viewing a full screen, a floating action button will appear above the editing option. Google is testing two icons. The first is a magnifying glass with an AI sparkle, and the second is the more familiar Google Lens logo.
So far, Google’s Circle to Search feature has neither its own logo nor an official symbol.
When you tap the button, you will be greeted by “Circle to Search.” This feature saves you from having to long-press the navigation handle, which currently does the same thing.
This Circle to Search FAB in the Files app appears to be included in a server-side update for users in the Beta Channel, which means if you don’t see it yet, you should see it soon (that is, if you’re a Beta user).
Apart from that, the latest beta (version 1.4515.x) shows how to get “AI-generated summaries” in files with text – you can enable this in the settings. Most likely Gemini Nano is used.
Personally, I love Circle to Search and think it’s one of the more useful AI features. In my opinion, it would be great if Google officially rolled this out because I’m always for simplicity and easy access, especially for such useful features.
