Google’s exciting new Circle to Search feature has been making waves in the Pixel community with its ability to seamlessly search for anything on your screen. However, its rollout has been a frustrating affair particularly for Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 users who still prefer the classic 3-button navigation system.
The initial rollout saw the Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a excluded despite sharing the same processor as the supported Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, a decision left unexplained by Google. And while many Pixel 7 and 8 users now have access to Circle to Search, its integration with 3-button navigation has proven problematic. Previously, long-pressing the home button on Pixel devices with the traditional navigation system would launch the Google Assistant – a convenient and intuitive way to access the AI helper. The arrival of Circle to Search has overwritten this functionality, which is understandable given the new feature’s focus. But what if I don’t want anything to do with Circle to Search and decide to disable it?
Logically, one would expect the original long-press function (launching Google Assistant) to return once Circle to Search is disabled. Instead, long-pressing the home button does absolutely nothing, leaving these users without a quick way to launch Assistant. Frustratingly, Google’s support page hasn’t been updated and still states the outdated information implying that Assistant can be launched by long-pressing the home button.
This raises important questions: Why can’t users reassign the long-press function back to Google Assistant when they disable Circle to Search? Google clearly understands the concept of feature toggles, so why arbitrarily remove an existing and useful shortcut for those who prefer a different experience?
Google’s Circle to Search is undoubtedly a cool addition, but this odd situation highlights the need for continued flexibility within Android. As Google continues to push new features and gesture-based navigation, it shouldn’t come at the expense of users who prefer the tried and tested 3-button system. I think Google can still please both camps by simply offering more customization options around actions tied to button presses, but I’d also like to know your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
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Hillary Keverenge
2046 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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