I must say it is convenient, but I’m sure Google keeps all dem screenshots, not just the things you circle. Any alternative? The long press at the bottom, I don’t think can be replaced as it seems embedded in Android, but I will be happy with an app I can trigger with the side buttons, or from the settings panel.
Edit: also the ocr ability is useful, to copy text from a picture
iPhones have been able to do a similar thing. They don’t “circle to search” but they are aware of what’s on the photo. And that’s done completely 100% without Google.
If you’re on an Android phone that works perfectly well, look for alternatives to Google Lens. That was the precursor to Circle to Search (and it is/was available on iOS). I’m sure there are competing apps.
Of course, the one on iOS is powered by Siri… which is about to be powered by Gemini (aka, Google).
And yes, Google probably does keep the screenshots it searches, “just in case,” like for legal purposes. It’s probably in the TOS somewhere.
