Google Enhances Circle to Search with Continuous Translation Feature

Google's Circle to Search can now translate as you scroll | TechCrunch

Google is bringing improved translation to Circle to Search, its feature that allows users to quickly search for any information on their screen by using gestures like circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping. The company announced on Thursday that users can now see translations as they scroll. "Translation is one of the most-used features in Circle to Search -- you can get more context for social posts from creators who speak a different language, or browse menus when you're booking restaurant reservations while traveling abroad," Google wrote in a blog post. "But until now, you had to restart the translation process every time you scrolled or the content on the screen changed." Now, users can get continuous translation as they scroll down a page or even switch apps. For example, if you're scrolling through Instagram and come across a post that includes images featuring text in a different language, you can use the new feature to see continuous translations as you swipe through the photos. To access the new functionality, users need to long-press the home button or navigation bar to start Circle to Search, tap the "Translate" icon, and press "scroll and translate." Google says the new update will begin rolling out this week on Android, starting with select Samsung Galaxy devices. Since its launch last year, Google has been updating Circle to Search with more functionality. At Samsung Unpacked 2025 earlier this year, Google announced that it was updating Circle to Search to make it easier for users to find information and get things done. These changes included expanded AI Overviews for visual searches and one-tap actions for phone numbers, URLs, and email addresses shown on screen. A few months ago, the tech giant made it possible to use AI Mode, its feature that lets users dig into complex topics and ask follow-up questions, when starting a search with Circle to Search.

Google teaches Circle to Search a new translation trick on Android

MediaTek's next flagship chip may give future Android phones faster cores and a beefed-up NPU Circle to Search is one of the best AI features to come to Android in recent years. It makes searching for information based on what's visible on your phone's screen effortless. And since its debut in January 2024, Google has only made Circle to Search better with Song Search support and translation support. Now, the company is taking translations a step further by adding scrolling support. Right now, Circle to Search only translates what's visible on your screen. If you scroll or swipe, you have to trigger the translation feature again. Essentially, Circle to Search screenshots your phone's view and translates the still image's content. It works in a pinch, but it can be frustrating when you are going through a large document or slide. With the new update, Google says Circle to Search translations won't stop at a single screen; it will keep translating on-screen content as you scroll. In fact, the functionality will even work if you switch apps. Like in the Google Translate app, you'll be able to switch the translation languages from a floating pop-up on the screen. The Live Translate functionality in Circle to Search was first spotted in action in mid-August. It works by seemingly using Android's screen recording APIs. Circle to Search already provides a quick and easy way to translate text, especially for images. This live translate upgrade will make the feature even more powerful. There's almost no change to how you invoke Translate in Circle to Search. Long-press the navigation bar or home button, tap the translate button at the bottom, and then select the new "scroll and translate" option. Without it, Circle to Search will only translate what's on-screen and stop once you scroll or swipe away. Coming first to Samsung Galaxy devices Google says the improved translate functionality in Circle to Search will start rolling out from this week. However, "select" Samsung devices will get priority access, which likely means recent Galaxy flagships such as the Galaxy S25, Z Fold 7, and Flip 7. So, if you have a non-Samsung phone, you might have to wait a few more weeks for the enhanced translation functionality in Circle to Search to show up on your device.

Google's New Circle to Search Update will Arrive First for Galaxy Phones - Phandroid

Google's Circle to Search feature is undoubtedly one of the best Android features that we've seen on Android in the past few years, and the company recently announced that it will be rolling out a new update, which will initially arrive for select Samsung Galaxy smartphones. READ: Samsung Announces Vision AI Companion for TVs and Monitors The update will essentially allow users to access the translate feature as they scroll on their screen. Google says that the new function can be prompted by long-pressing the home button or navigation bar to bring up Circle to Search, tapping the "Translate" icon and pressing "scroll and translate." Text will then continue to be translated even as a user scrolls through their page or while switching apps. Google adds that the update will arrive starting next week for select Samsung phones. In related Samsung news, the company recently announced its Vision AI Companion, which will roll out to its smart TVs and displays and uses an upgraded Bixby voice assistant for a more natural, conversational interaction.