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.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
More on Quran memorisation:
More on animal trafficking
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
