Google’s Voice Access App Enables Users To Control Android Devices By Voice

Google announced yesterday that it has launched the beta version of Voice Access, an app that enables users to control the main functions of their Android device completely by voice.

The app has been designed to facilitate people with disabilities such as paralysis or tremor, so they can use their devices in a hands-free manner.



The app is still in the testing stage right now, and will be able for free download on the Play Store in the next few months.

Voice Access allows users to scroll with voice commands and select items on the display screen. "For example, you can say 'open Chrome' or 'go home' to navigate around the phone, or interact with the screen by saying 'click next' or 'scroll down,” the company wrote in a blog post.
The search engine giant has also added a numeric system in the app to make the process more convenient. This system assigns a number to every app and users can just say the number out loud to perform the task.

According to the company, around 20% Americans suffer from some form of disability. Hence, the company is making efforts to help people with disabilities use their Android devices. Apart from Voice Access, the tech giant has launched several other features to promote accessibility.
“It’s so important to build tools to make technology accessible to everyone,” the company states. “From people with visual impairments who need screen readers or larger text, to people with motor restrictions that prevent them from interacting with a touch screen, to people with hearing impairments who cannot hear their device’s sounds.” The list of recently introduced apps includes Accessibility Scanner that allows developers to test the accessibility of their applications. For example, developers can improve their application by enlarging buttons and increasing the screen contrast to make it easier for users with visual impairments to read text.
Google has also updated the preview of Android N for developers with a Vision Settings app. Vision Settings will allow users to control text size, magnification and TalkBack to the Welcome screen.

Moreover, the company has launched a new version of text-to-speech software for Chromebooks. It has also added a voice-based editing tool on Google Docs to make it easier for users to edit and type. The company has been making many efforts over the past few years to improve its speech-recognition technology. According to Google, recognition error rate fell down by almost 50% last year. While the introduction of these new features to promote accessibility for users can be considered as philanthropic, it would also give the company a competitive edge over its rivals that do not have such features yet.