Google unveils six new Android features
Miscellaneous / / June 16, 2021
From overlays in Messages to the ability to detect the user's gaze.
Google told about several important innovations that will be available to Android users this summer. They focus on the security and usability of the OS.
Earthquake warning system
Back in the last year Google started to create the world's largest earthquake detection network based on technologies embedded in Android devices. With this system, people in areas with high seismic activity can receive alerts a few seconds before the shock.
Such a system is already in operation in New Zealand and Greece, and now it is being launched in Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the Philippines.
Flagging important messages
So that you don't lose anything important in your correspondence, Google adds an annotation feature to the standard Messages app. They will allow you to add messages to your favorites so that you can quickly return to them without flipping through the entire chat.
Just hold down the desired message and put an asterisk. All such notes are sorted in a separate section, which can be accessed from the search in the application.
Emoji for context
Gboard keyboard users will automatically be prompted with emojis to match the context of the message. These stickers will be combined using the Emoji Kitchen system, which can generate new emoji by combining several standard ones. For now, this feature will only work for messages in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
More options for Android Auto
Android Auto will have the ability to customize the startup screen directly from your phone and manually set the dark mode. Also, navigation in multimedia applications will be improved, access to instant messengers will be simplified and the function of reading and sending new messages from WhatsApp or "Messages" using voice will be expanded. Previously, these capabilities were not available everywhere.
Voice commands to applications
Google Assistant will learn how to work with a number of popular applications, which will allow you to use your voice to launch some of their functions. For example, you can say “Ok Google, show me my miles on Strava” to quickly see your weekly progress right on the lock screen.
Gaze detection function
Android has long offered voice access built for people with disabilities. This technology enables fast and efficient navigation on the phone using voice commands. Now, thanks to gaze detection, users can only set up voice access when they are looking at the screen.
Also, voice access will now recognize the password entry field, where you can enter letters of different case, numbers and other symbols.
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