Files by Google, the company’s file browsing and management tool, is expected to receive new artificial intelligence (AI) features. According to reports, a version of the Circle to Search feature is now being tested on the app.
This feature appears to be only available for images. According to reports, the Files app will also include an AI summary function operating on text-based files. A previous source said that Google Chrome for Desktop may receive a visual lookup feature via Google Lens.
According to 9to5Google, the Files by Google app will be updated with a few new AI features. The first feature is Circle to Search, which was purportedly discovered during an APK teardown of the most recent beta version of the app. However, unlike the Pixel devices and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, this is a streamlined form of Circle to Search.
This feature is believed to be exclusively available in images within the app. Opening an image in full-screen mode reveals a new floating action button (FAB) toward the bottom. According to a screenshot given by the publication, the icon was seen directly over the edit FAB. The icon controls the feature.
According to reports, Circle to Search uses two different icons. The first is a magnifying glass with a sparkle on top, also serving as the app’s smart search feature. The second option is the classic Google Lens symbol. Circle to Search does not have any official icons, thus it appears that the company is still experimenting with them.
Tapping the icon opens the entire window in Circle to Search mode, and other Files user-interface elements disappear. According to the report, the user can then circle a part of the image to perform a quick Internet search. This feature has yet to be released for beta users.
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The report also mentioned a second AI feature, which is presently being released to some beta customers. The Files by Google app is reported to be capable of generating AI summaries for text-containing file types such as PDF, Docx, TXT, and others. According to the publication, the feature uses on-device Gemini Nano, implying that it may be a Pixel 8 series exclusive feature.
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