Report: Google Now on Tap is adding a 'select word' option for instant searches
However, a new feature that’s popped up for some could change your opinion. According to a Reddit post some Android users have started to see an icon to select a specific word when holding down the home button. You can then pick out some text and get an instant Google Now on Tap search, which seeks out relevant content from the web and other Google apps.
Right now you can select text and do an then do an instant search, which usually brings up a definition or Wikipedia entry. To launch On Tap, you have to select the text and then press and hold the home button. Allowing you to highlight a word after invoking Now on Tap is probably a more straightforward and useful way to refine searches.
The impact on you: This could be some A/B testing on Google’s part, or part of a planned rollout. With such work on Google’s server side we’re never really quite sure, but the best way to find out is to keep trying and see if you notice a change. If Google makes some official announcement we’ll be sure to update you here.