Re: Recognising (or not) QR codes

On Wed, 2 Jul 2025 08:05:23 +0100, Andy Burns wrote :

The circle-to-search feature may not be available in your Android
version.  I didn't bother to search in which Android version it became
available, because a cursory search shows it is apparently inherent to
the brand and model of phone you have.

 
I think circle-to-search was exclusive to Samsung for a few weeks, then
rolled-down to flagship Pixels and later to all Pixels, presumably it's
on just about all devices now?

Damn you Andy. Always saying fancy 'tings that I never 'hoid of b'fore.
You trying t' make me feel styupid or sumphun?
  
*Circle-to-Search*
      WTF?

I don't even know what "circle to search" is, but it appears Vanguard
believes it's device-specific, while Andy provided a more detailed, phased
rollout history. That's classic for both, in that Vanguard is always making
conclusions based on only one datapoint, while Andy is more balanced and
well read.

But still, I don't even know what "circle to search" even is.... Google...
google...google....  OK.

Circle to search debuted on Samsung Galaxy S24 series in mid-January 2024.

It rolled out to Google's flagship phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro by
the end of January 2024 (which we could consider almost simultaneous).

Within months, it had expanded to older Samsung and Google devices,
including the Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, and even some Pixel 6 series phones, as
well as various Samsung Galaxy S23, S22, S21 series, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip
devices, and some A-series phones and tablets. It has already rolled out to
some phones from Honor, Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus, Nothing, and TECNO.
Google had a stated goal to bring the feature to 200 million devices by the
end of 2024.

OK. It's big. But why haven't I ever heard of it? Am I styupid or sumphun?
Since I am not an Apple troll, so I know how to hit a search button,
apparently you draw a circle with your big fat finger around an object or
image or you scribble over something or you tap on an item as a "gesture"
and then Google's search results appear at the bottom of the screen
providing information about what you've selected to search for.

Ug. Yuck. I removed Google search from my phone from day one. Aurgh.
But still... why don't I see it on my phone?

Again, I'm not an Apple troll (nor am I Carlos who can't search either), so
I can search for things first, I see the Samsung A-series doesn't generally
get AI powered features. So circle-to-search (by implication) is an AI
feature perhaps?... hmm...

Furthermore, Circle-to-Search is, for Samsung, a One UI 6.1 and up feature,
which I most likely don't have (I use Nova launcher but the One UI is still
on the phone). Besides, I'm stuck on Android 13 and Android 13 is older
than One UI 6.1 (so I'd have to get it with effort - and I won't bother).

Besides, even if I did, my phone is mostly degoogled so the Google Search
assistant doesn't exist. But, for others to know what I've learned,
apparently a crucial requirement for Circle to Search is that Google must
be set as your default digital assistant app.

Interestingly, Google specifically blocks the Circle-to-Search feature if a
non-Google app is set as the default assistant.

In summary, Circle-to-Search seems like a feature rolled out since January
of 2024 to new'ish high-end'ish phones where it's apparently an AI that
works on finger gestures (you don't wanna know what mine will be).

Thanks for bringing Circle-to-Search to the fore!
I learn from others.