Google unveiled two major updates, Circle to Search and a new generative artificial intelligence-powered search experience, as the AI industry heats up and the company aims to attract more users by modifying how they interact with search engines.
The Circle to Search feature will allow users to search for information on their Android smartphones without switching apps. They can do it by using intuitive gestures such as circling, highlighting, scribbling or just tapping, the company said.
This new functionality, expected to debut globally on select Android smartphones from January 31, will be available on Google-owned Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, and South Korean company Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 series phones that were launched during an Unpacked event in San Jose on Wednesday.
It will be available in all supported languages and locations where these phones are available, Google said.
“When you are truly immersed in a moment of discovery or exploration, it can feel disruptive to stop what you are doing and switch to another app to learn more,” said Cathy Edwards, vice president for Google Search.
“With a simple gesture, you can select what you are curious about in whatever way comes naturally to you … like circling, highlighting or scribbling … and get more information right where you are.”
How will Circle to Search work?
With the new feature, users do not need to switch to another app to explore more.
For example, if a user wants to know more about an item that a creator is displaying in an "outfit of the day" video, they can press the home button or navigation bar on the phone to activate Circle to Search.
From there, they can select any item with a preferred gesture, like circling a hand bag, to quickly find similar, shoppable options from retailers across the web. Similarly, they can scribble on any other item and find more information without leaving the page.
Besides information collected from different sources, users can also ask additional questions.
For example, while scrolling through a cooking website, if they come across a recipe mentioning sous-vide, they can ask a question, like "why are these so popular" and find out more details about the cooking technique.
AI-powered search experience
Google has also announced AI-powered overviews for multisearch in lens that will allow users to point their camera at whatever they see (or upload a photo or screenshot), ask a question about it, and get quick AI-generated insights.
For example, while browsing through a novel in a foreign language, users can click a photo of the book cover, and ask a question like "what is this novel about?" and instantly receive an AI-powered summary that compiles information from various sources.
“Launch of AI-powered insights for multisearch is the result of testing we began last year to see how gen AI can make Search radically more helpful … but we have only just scratched the surface of what's possible,” said Elizabeth Reid, vice president for Search.
“This gives you the ability to ask more complex or nuanced questions about what you see, and quickly find and understand key information,” she added.
The new feature will be launched in English language in the US market and no Search Labs enrolment is required, Google said. It can be accessed by looking for the Lens camera icon in the Google app for Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems.
However, if users are outside the US but have opted for Google’s SGE (search generative experience) programme, they can preview this new feature in the Google app.
Google’s Gemini to be on Samsung’s Galaxy S24
Google said Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 smartphones will use its AI platform Gemini to offer a new way to search on the devices.
Today’s updates will make Search even more natural and intuitive, but we've only just scratched the surface of what's possible
Elizabeth Reid,
vice president for Search at Google
Users will be able to access Gemini through apps and services built by Samsung, said Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president for platforms and ecosystems at Google.
Google’s generative AI tool Bard got its biggest upgrade last month as the company launched Gemini, its largest and most capable AI model yet.
Gemini can generalise and understand, operate across and combine different types of information including text, code, audio, image and video.
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
