Technologies

Circle to Search Is One of My Favorite AI Tools. Shame It’s Not on the iPhone Yet

Commentary: While a lot of mobile AI tools feel frivolous, this Google Search capability is intuitive. I just wish it weren’t restricted to Android phones.

Every time I use an iPhone, I lament that it doesn’t have one of the most practical mobile AI tools: Google’s Circle to Search. Until that feature comes to the iPhone — and I really hope it does soon — I don’t think most people will realize just how useful it can be.

Circle to Search is a way to quickly pull up information about anything on your Android phone’s screen. Just long-press the home button and then circle, scribble or tap whatever you want to look up. If you’re scrolling through Instagram and see a vacation spot you’d like to identify, a pair of shoes you want to buy or a word you want to look up, just draw around it and Google will pull up a list of relevant Search results.

You can even use your phone’s camera to point at something, then use Circle to Search to find out more. And a new capability that debuted on Thursday continuously translates text as you scroll through social media posts or switch between apps.

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Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature has some similarities to Circle to Search; it uses Apple Intelligence to identify what’s around you and whatever you snap a picture of. A new functionality arriving with iOS 26 will allow the tool to work with screenshots, so you can ask ChatGPT about what’s on your screen, add an event to your calendar or search for a product. But those capabilities are still relatively limited compared with Circle to Search. Plus, Visual Intelligence is available only on iPhone 15 Pro models or later, while Circle to Search is on a much broader range of Android phones.

I’ve used Circle to Search for a variety of tasks, from figuring out where to buy tea sets to identifying a song to looking up the breed of cute cats. (Clearly, the use cases are diverse.) It’s a seamless way of finding relevant links and information about anything that piques your curiosity, without struggling to describe it in a traditional Google search — especially when you don’t know the name of what you’re searching.

But if you do prefer to add words to your query, you can still do that with Circle to Search. Once the results pop up at the bottom of your screen, you can type in the Search bar to get more specific answers and information.

Circle to Search debuted in January 2024 on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series and the Pixel 8 lineup, and it’s now available on the latest Pixel devices as well as on Galaxy S, Z and A phones — meaning it’s not just confined to the priciest devices.

When will Circle to Search come to iPhones?

I’m glad more phones are getting Circle to Search and that it’s become somewhat standard on a handful of premium and more affordable Android phones (and I hope it lands on more). But I’m eagerly awaiting the day this feature arrives on the iPhone. I’m not holding my breath for Apple to announce the arrival of this capability at its iPhone 17 event on Tuesday, but I suppose anything’s possible.

Google hasn’t said anything about bringing Circle to Search to Apple devices, though you can carry out a similar function on iPhones using Google Lens in the Google app and on Chrome. But that’s simply not good enough for me. Circle to Search has been out for nearly two years, and it’s about time it made its iPhone debut in full force.

It’s a contentious time for tech companies like Google, Samsung and Apple, which are racing to crank out the most advanced AI-powered features. So while other Google apps and features like Lens, Drive and Calendar have made their way onto the iPhone, this is a whole different ball game.

But if reports about Apple potentially supercharging Siri with Google’s Gemini are any indication, there’s a high chance the two companies can agree that Circle to Search is a feature that also belongs on iPhones. And once it arrives, you’ll likely wonder how you ever lived without it.

Until then, I’ll just keep wishing I had an Android phone in my hand each time I scroll past a particularly tantalizing teapot on Instagram.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im