The Circle to Search feature on Android devices has lost the Google Lens shortcut with its latest update. This change has made it harder for users to quickly access Google Lens and has also affected the ease of use of the feature.
How did the disappearance of the Google Lens shortcut affect users?
The Circle to Search feature for Android devices provided users with quick access to various search functions. Previously, the feature provided an area at the bottom of the screen that could be clicked to perform a text query. To the right of this area was the “G” logo that opened the Google app, a microphone icon for voice search, an icon for Google Lens, and buttons for searching for songs or translations. However, with this update, the Google Lens icon has been removed from the interface. Users can no longer access Google Lens directly through Circle to Search.
The removal of the Google Lens icon is a significant change, especially for users who use the feature frequently. Google Lens allowed users to search for information about objects around them through their phone’s camera. However, with the loss of this shortcut in the Circle to Search interface, users now have to take extra steps to access Google Lens. There are alternative methods, such as manually opening the Google app or adding a widget to the home screen, but this makes the user experience a bit more difficult.
There is no clear explanation as to why Google removed this shortcut. According to some speculations, this change may have been made to make the interface look less cluttered. However, this situation also brings with it the loss of a function that provides great convenience for users. The update has been rolled out to a wide audience, so when you trigger Circle to Search, you will now see this new appearance. It is not yet clear whether this is a temporary change, a bug, or an A/B test. There is a possibility that the shortcut will return in the future.
The removal of Google Lens means that a function that users often use in their daily lives now requires more steps. Tech companies sometimes make changes to the interface to improve the user experience. However, removing such shortcuts can make the experience harder for some users. Many users would be happy if Google reconsidered this decision and brought the shortcut back.
