Key Points:
- Google has introduced a shortcut that brings Android’s Circle to Search feature to iPhones, utilizing Google Lens and iOS Shortcuts.
- This shortcut allows iPhone users to take a screenshot and quickly analyze it with Google Lens for tasks like copying text, translating, or performing visual searches.
- While Android users enjoy Circle to Search via a long-press gesture, this shortcut leverages iOS features like the Back Tap gesture, making it accessible on all modern iPhones.
Google has ingeniously bridged the gap between Android and iPhone users with its latest move: introducing the Circle to Search feature to iPhones via a new Lens shortcut. Earlier, Circle to Search was exclusive to Android, but thanks to the synergy between Google Lens and iOS Shortcuts, this capability is now within reach for any iPhone user.
The main distinction between Google Lens and Circle to Search lies in accessibility. While the former has been available on iOS through the Google app, the latter offers a more universally accessible experience on Android devices. However, Google’s new shortcut cleverly bypasses this limitation, bringing the functionality to iPhones with ease.
To activate this shortcut, iPhone users can utilize the Back Tap gesture, available on all modern devices. By double or triple-tapping the back of the phone, users can trigger the shortcut, which captures a screenshot and sends it to Google Lens for analysis. This enables tasks like text copying, translation, and visual searches, enhancing the user experience for iPhone owners.
To set up the shortcut, users can navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then configure the Back Tap gesture to activate the desired shortcut. Once set up, a simple double or triple-tap on the back of the iPhone initiates the process, seamlessly integrating Google Lens functionality into the iOS ecosystem.
This strategic move by Google not only expands the reach of Circle to Search but also demonstrates the company’s agility in leveraging native iOS features to deliver a seamless experience to iPhone users. By tapping into the power of shortcuts and gestures, Google has effectively brought Android’s Circle to Search to the fingertips of every iPhone owner.
