Google Chrome for Desktop Is Getting Circle to Search-Like Visual Lookup Functionality via Lens

Google says when a user accesses Google Lens’ new functionality, a screenshot of that page is sent to the company.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 30 July 2024 15:19 IST

Google Chrome for Desktop Is Getting Circle to Search-Like Visual Lookup Functionality via Lens

Photo Credit: Google

Google first introduced its visual lookup feature dubbed Lens in 2017 alongside the Pixel 2 smartphone

Highlights

Google Lens brings drag-to-search functionality with latest update
The feature is reported in Chrome for desktop beta version 127 and 128
It appears as a Google Lens icon alongside the bookmarks option

Google Chrome may be getting a new search feature that works similarly to ‘Circle to Search' – the visual lookup tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) which Google introduced in January, according to a report. The feature is said to be integrated into Google Lens and can be accessed via a beta version of Google Chrome on desktops and Chromebooks. Notably, Circle to Search was also recently introduced on iOS devices via a shortcut.

Google Lens' Drag to Search

According to a report by 9to5Google, Google has introduced a new functionality, dubbed ‘drag to search' on Chrome 127 and 128 beta versions for desktops and Chromebooks. It appears in the form of a Google Lens icon alongside the bookmarks option in the address bar.

Visual Lookup in Google Lens on Chrome for Desktop

To activate this feature, users can simply click on the icon and a new window appears, stating that users can “search anything on this page with Google Lens”. Subsequently, a custom selection window pops up which can be dragged to search for anything on the web page. The feature's user interface (UI) is similar to the one on the Android platform, with a shimmering appearance on the borders of the selection window.

According to Google, when a user accesses Google Lens' new functionality, a screenshot of that page is sent to the company. Gadgets 360 staff members were able to verify the new drag-to-search functionality in Google Chrome 128 beta on Windows. Since it is only available in a beta version of the web browser, the feature is experimental.

This feature was first reportedly leaked by X (formerly Twitter) user @Leopeva64 via a series of posts in May. At the time, the user speculated to be an AI-powered lookup feature similar to Circle to Search and could improve upon the existing functionality of Google Lens.

Other New Features in Chrome

In recent months, Google has been said to be developing several new features for its web browser. A report suggested that Google Chrome on Android could soon read aloud web pages in the background, via a feature dubbed ‘Listen to this Page'. The web browser also added new actions and more features on both Android and iOS platforms in a bid to provide an improved search experience to users.

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Further reading: Google Lens, Circle to Search, Google Circle to Search, Google Chrome, Google Chrome Browser

Shaurya Tomer

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Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More