Chrome gets 'Circle to Search' convenience with new Gemini feature

You no longer have to search for words when you’re writing prompts with Gemini in Chrome. There is now a tool that lets you Select from Screen to attach an image to a prompt.

How it works

Select from Screen will highlight the tab you’re in, allowing you to select anything on the page to ask Gemini about.

To use it, open Chrome and click the Ask Gemini button at the top of the browser. In the pane, click the + button and then Select from screen. You can adjust the selected area by dragging the edges of the box or shifting the entire thing. Then you can type in anything you want to ask about the selection.

If you selected the wrong thing, you can hover over the selections and click the X that’s at the upper right of the selection to close it. To remove all selections, close the Gemini in Chrome panel.

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Why it’s useful

Select from Screen works much like Circle to Search does on mobile.

On the help page for the feature, Google lists scenarios for its use:

- Highlight a few pairs of sneakers and ask which is best for your running style.
- Capture a part of a diagram or text for a clearer, more focused explanation.
- Select a single object or part of a page to reimagine, redesign, or transform your idea.

Check for the feature

Select from Screen is available today in Chrome version 149.

You can check for your version by clicking the three vertical dots at the top right of your browser, then go to Settings > About Chrome. Chrome will display your current version and check for updates.

When I did this to check for Select from Screen, version 149 immediately started installing, and then I just clicked Relaunch to complete the update.