Google’s Circle to Search adds seamless real-time translation

Google continues to push the boundaries of on-screen interaction with its Circle to Search feature, now introducing a major improvement that allows translations to flow uninterrupted as users scroll through content. Originally launched in mid-January 2024, Circle to Search is powered by Google’s Gemini AI and debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series before rolling out to Pixel 8 and 8 Pro devices later that month. The tool transforms how users interact with text on their screens, making it possible to search, translate, or explore content without leaving the app they are currently using.

At its core, Circle to Search lets users engage with their screens through intuitive gestures. Whether circling a word, highlighting a phrase, scribbling over text, or simply tapping on an element, the feature allows a search or translation to be initiated instantly. This eliminates the cumbersome process of copying text, switching apps, or manually entering search terms. Translation has consistently been one of the most popular uses for Circle to Search, providing users with instant context for social media posts, articles, or menus when traveling abroad.

Until now, however, a limitation frustrated many users. Every time a page was scrolled or the on-screen content changed, the translation process had to be restarted. This created interruptions, particularly when browsing social media feeds or online menus, where information often extends beyond a single screen. The new update addresses this issue by allowing translations to continue in real-time, regardless of scrolling or switching between applications.

Activating the feature is straightforward. Users start by long-pressing the home button or navigation bar to launch Circle to Search. Next, they tap the Translate icon and then select the scroll-and-translate option. Once activated, the feature continuously translates text as users move down the page or navigate to a different app, providing a seamless reading experience that keeps pace with scrolling behavior. The update essentially removes the previous bottleneck, allowing the translation function to operate in the background without repeated interruptions.

Google says the rollout will begin this week for Android devices, starting with select Samsung Galaxy phones. Following this initial release, it is expected that the capability will expand to other compatible Android devices. The company has emphasized that the update maintains the intuitive gesture-based approach that made Circle to Search so appealing in the first place. By keeping the interface simple and interactions natural, Google aims to make on-screen exploration more fluid and integrated into daily phone use.