Google Expands Circle to Search with New Audio Recognition Feature
Google is set to enhance its Circle to Search feature with a powerful new audio recognition capability, allowing users to identify songs by humming, singing, or playing music from their device. This development, uncovered through recent APK teardowns, promises to make song identification more accessible and integrated across the Android ecosystem.
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| Using the upgraded Circle to Search feature on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone, showcasing how the integration enhances user experience |
Key Features of the Audio Search Update:
- Versatile Recognition: The system can identify songs playing on the device, ambient music, or even user-generated audio like humming.
- Seamless Integration: Audio search will be accessible directly through the Circle to Search interface, marked by a new music note icon.
- Universal Availability: The feature is designed to work across various apps and screens, not limited to music players.
How It Works
- Activate Circle to Search as usual
- Tap the new music note icon next to the search field
- An overlay appears, listening for audio input
- After a few seconds, the search results display with the identified song
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| This illustration demonstrates how users can interact with the Circle to Search feature on their mobile devices |
Potential Impact
This update could position Circle to Search as a strong competitor to dedicated music recognition apps like Shazam and SoundHound. By integrating this functionality directly into the Android interface, Google is streamlining the user experience and potentially reducing reliance on third-party apps.
Additional Developments
- Split-screen Support: Rumors suggest Google may introduce split-screen functionality for Circle to Search on Pixel devices, catching up with existing capabilities on Samsung phones.
- Ongoing Refinement: While the feature is still in beta, Google continues to refine the user experience, including informative pop-ups to guide users through new capabilities.
As Google prepares for the release of the Pixel 9 series and Android 15, these enhancements to Circle to Search demonstrate the company's commitment to expanding AI-powered features across its ecosystem. While an official release date for Audio Search hasn't been announced, its presence in beta builds suggests it may arrive in the near future.
Stay tuned for further updates as Google continues to evolve its search capabilities on mobile devices.
Update: Tuesday August 13 15:06
Google is also expanding its AI-driven features to the Files by Google app. The app will soon integrate Circle to Search functionality, allowing users to activate the feature directly when viewing images through a new floating action button. Additionally, Files by Google is preparing to introduce AI-generated summaries for text files, potentially using Gemini Nano technology. These updates aim to enhance file management and search capabilities across the Android ecosystem, making Google's AI tools more accessible in everyday use.
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| The integration of new AI functionalities in Google apps like Files by Google aims to enhance user experience across the Android ecosystem |