Google’s Circle to Search feature is about to get a major upgrade that could make understanding content in any language much easier. Originally launched to let users quickly look up information from anything on their screen, Circle to Search later expanded to include static text translation. 
Now, the next step looks even more ambitious: real-time translation for moving content.
According to early reports, Google is testing a Live Translate mode within Circle to Search. Unlike the current static translation tool, this version aims to work with dynamic content such as videos, GIFs, and web pages. While still under development, screenshots and demos show the feature tucked inside Circle to Search’s app drawer, alongside options like song recognition and traditional translation tools.
When activated, Live Translate will reportedly give users the choice to translate either the full screen or just specific apps. A colorful rainbow gradient along the edges of the display signals when it’s active, giving it a polished, Siri-like visual effect. A floating overlay will also appear, letting users set their preferred output language, move the window around, crop the translation area, or minimize it for convenience.
Right now, translations only flash on screen briefly, showing that the feature is far from finished. Still, the functionality seems promising, and the fact that Google continues testing suggests it could roll out to Android devices soon. If successful, it could be one of the most practical uses of AI on phones to date – breaking down language barriers for global content consumption.
The timing is also interesting: Google’s Pixel 10 lineup is set to debut within days, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While it’s not confirmed that Live Translate will appear at launch, the event is expected to showcase new AI features, and this could easily be one of them.
In a world where digital media is increasingly borderless, Live Translate could be the tool that finally makes every video, meme, and article instantly understandable – no matter where it comes from.