'Circle to Copilot' is Microsoft's answer to Google's Circle to Search, and it's coming to Edge browser

Google just begun rolling out Circle to Search to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices around the world. But it seems Microsoft doesn’t want to miss out on the action too. They’re developing their own similar feature for the Edge browser, called “Circle to Copilot.” This new addition was uncovered by Windows Report.

If you have the question what is Circle to Copilot? Imagine this: you’re browsing a website and stumble upon an image or text you want to analyze, share, or simply learn more about. With Circle to Copilot, you can simply draw a circle around it with your mouse, and voilà! A Copilot side panel appears, offering relevant information or actions depending on what you circled.

This is somewhat similar to how Circle to Search works on Pixel and Samsung phones. While the feature is currently hidden in the Edge Canary browser (the testing ground for upcoming features), it’s not fully functional yet. Right now, it simply copies and pastes the circled content into a chat box. Not exactly groundbreaking, but it hints at the potential.

Google’s feature goes beyond simple screenshots. You can circle, highlight, scribble, or even tap anything on your phone, and Google will analyze it and offer search results, translations, or other relevant actions. Microsoft’s Circle to Copilot seems to be focusing more on web content and browser interactions for now.

Microsoft is tight-lipped about the official release date and full functionality of Circle to Copilot. However, the appearance of this feature in Edge Canary suggests it’s being actively developed. We can expect more features and refinements in the future, potentially rivaling Google’s offering.