C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google has renamed the “Search using the entire screen” feature from Circle to Search to “Ask about screen” in the latest beta version of the Google app (v17.18.24).
- The feature now automatically sends URLs, page content, and PDF data to Google to provide more contextually relevant AI-generated results.
- This functionality is currently rolling out to beta users and is expected to hit the stable branch in the coming weeks.
Google has several ways to search spread across the Android system, but Circle to Search remains one of its most useful additions. It is very convenient to activate and very easy to run a search resultbut it is a little limited because it can only see the content on your screen. If you’ve ever wished you could automatically add more context to a Search Circle query, Google has heard your prayers. Changes to Circle to Search now allow users to add more context in the form of URLs and PDFs, extending beyond the visible content of the screen, to search through Google Search’s AI mode.
Circle to Search on Android already allows users to attach a screenshot of their screen content to generate search suggestions and results when using the “Search using the entire screen” option. To do this, the results are processed directly in the AI mode of Google Search.
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With the Google app beta v17.18.24, Google is making some changes to this process. The search box now says “Ask about screen.” While screenshots are still attached as usual, the text description now says “Search with more context.” It clarifies that “available context, including URL, page content, and PDF documents, will be automatically sent to Google,” most likely to process these URLs and PDFs with AI mode.
We were able to turn on loading URLs and PDFs when using “Ask About Screen” in Google Chrome and Google Files, but this might work with more apps.
As you can see, with the ability to upload URLs and PDF files, AI mode through the Ask About screen can give you more contextually relevant answers instead of offering answers based solely on the content visible in the screenshot.
Yes, users can already do this via the Gemini overlay in Chrome and the Files app, and that route has its own benefits, such as allowing you to control which model is used. However, for free users, or even just those who love the convenience of Circle to Search or prefer the more condensed answers of AI mode, this is a godsend.
This change is already being gradually rolled out to beta branch users. Assuming Google is happy with the test results, the change should be merged into the stable branch in the coming days and weeks.
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