Google Files, the company’s file sharing and management app, appears to be getting new artificial intelligence (AI) features. According to a report, an in-app version of Circle Search is being tested. This feature is supposed to be available for images only. The Files app is said to have an AI digest feature that works on files that contain text. In particular, a previous report suggested that Google Chrome for desktop could now perform visual search using Google Lens.
Google Files with Search Circle
According to 9to5Google, the Files by Google app is getting some new AI features. The first feature is Circle to Search, which was discovered during the APK download of the latest beta version of the app. Unlike Samsung’s Pixel smartphones and the Galaxy S24 series, however, this appears to be a stripped-down version of Circle to Search.
This feature is said to be available only on images displayed in the app. Opening an image in full screen view displays a new floating action button (FAB) near the bottom. According to the photo shared by the publication, the sign is still on the fixed FAB. This sign controls the property, AI Summary Feature.
It has been reported that there are two different symbols used for Circle to Search. First is the magnifying glass with the brightness on it, which is also used for smartphone search in the app. Another is the classic Google Lens icon. Since Circle to Search doesn’t have an official logo, it looks like the company is still experimenting with brands.
Clicking the icon will open the entire window in Circle in Search mode, and other UI Files elements will disappear. According to the report, the user can hover over any part of the image to start a web search instantly. This feature has not yet been rolled out to beta users.
The report also reveals a second AI feature that is now available to some beta users. The Files by Google app is said to be able to generate AI digests for file formats like PDF, Docx, TXT and others that contain documents. The publication claims that the feature uses Gemini Nano on the device for this, which suggests that it might be a Pixel 8 series only.
