Google is announcing many new features for its Android ecosystem. Nearby Share supports self-sharing to make file sharing even easier. Accessibility is further improved
Google has announced several new Android features that will make smartphones and tablets more useful for many users. One of the most notable changes is Nearby Share, Mountain View’s version of Apple’s AirDrop. This should make it much easier to transfer data between your Android devices. Once the self-sharing feature is rolled out – in a few weeks – and activated, your Android devices will automatically accept files from the other one, even when the screen is off.
Google announces many new features for its Android ecosystem
No one knows when users will be able to take advantage of other new features, including new accessibility settings. Android has a sound notification feature designed and intended for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. When this feature is enabled, the device listens for certain sounds such as a fire alarm, knocking on a door, or running water and alerts the user with a visual notification or vibration on a smartphone or smart watch. Users will also soon be able to add their own sounds to their sound library for listening purposes. Once the sound has been heard multiple times, they will be able to receive notifications when their device hears the sound.
Nearby Share supports self-sharing to make file sharing even easier
For its part, Google TV now offers a selection of movies with audio descriptions. You can find it through Google Assistant by saying “look for movies with audio description”. In addition, Google is adding a multi-contact option to Meet video calls. This will allow users to, for example, pin the speaker and sign language channels, or perhaps a loved one, to see how they react.
Accessibility is further improved
SharePlay-style options will also appear in Meet. You can watch YouTube videos and play games with up to 100 friends and/or family members at the same time. Google explains that this feature is rolling out to Android smartphones and tablets.
In addition to these changes, there will be new Drive and Keep widgets, as well as a new Emoji Kitchen on Gboard, and a way to insert more emoji into your messages with a tap. Wear OS devices will have a new Keep tile — with the ability to dictate a note or list — and Bitmoji from Snapchat will appear on watch screens.