By announcing the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung also revealed a variety of AI features, one of which is Circle to Search. This feature, developed in collaboration with Google, was also introduced by Google for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro the day after Samsung’s event. It has since started rolling out.
However, if you were hoping for Circle to Search to expand to other Android devices from different brands, Samsung has revealed that this feature will remain exclusive to Google and Samsung devices until at least October.
Here’s the exact statement from Samsung’s arm in the Netherlands:
Circle to Search may become available on Android devices from other brands from 5 October 2024, but there are no active developments underway for this.
This news may come as a disappointment, as it seems like an unnecessary form of exclusivity. It raises questions about whether Google and Samsung believe people will purchase an S24 or Pixel 8 specifically for this feature, or if there’s another rationale behind it.
It feels somewhat unfair for an ecosystem – the Android one – that was once celebrated for being more open than Apple’s. It appears that gates are now being established in the Android world as well.
This isn’t the first time – Google and Samsung are also restricting the latest version(s) of Wear OS for their wearables exclusively. While this behavior may confuse other Android device makers, the companies continue to implement it. What are your thoughts on this?
Source (in Dutch)
