Ever wanted to find out more information on something you’re looking at on your smartphone screen? That’s where Google’s Circle to Search feature comes in. This is one of the more genuinely helpful implementations of AI we’ve seen, but is it perfect? Since it only debuted last year, we suppose improvements can be made. That’s what Google is doing. According to a report from Android Authority, Google is testing new layouts for Circle to Search.
Two possible Circle to Search layouts
The report claims Google is testing two layouts for Circle to Search. User @brokenthrone shared one of those layouts in a Telegram group. This layout eliminates the long Google search bar in favor of a smaller and more compact rectangular box with rounded corners.
There are buttons and text, but unlike the current version, there are no visual separators, giving it a more seamless look. There is also a light and a dark version. As for the other layout, Google is keeping the long search bar but splitting it up into two rows instead of a single row. The top row has the search bar, and the bottom row houses the “Song search” and “Translate” buttons.
These new Circle to Search layouts offer a change in scenery from the current version. The one shared in Telegram is slightly more drastic in terms of design, but it’s not exactly a huge overhaul. The second version just looks like Google rearranged things a bit. Android Authority reports that Google might be pushing out the second layout because they received it on their Pixel 9 Pro XL.
However, since this appears to be a test, it is possible that Google could end up reverting to the original design. Google, like many companies, tests new layouts and UIs now and then. This testing allows Google to identify the most optimal design for providing the best user experience. There’s really nothing wrong with the current version, but maybe this redesign could hint at some of the changes at the new Material Design 3 Expressive that Google will most likely unveil at I/O 2025 later this month.
