For most people, getting around mobile phones is by tapping and dragging things. Others ways include gestures and voice.
Google wants to go improve the latter method, by introducing an app called 'Voice Access'. What it does, is allowing users to interact with their phones, using just their voice. But what makes it unique is because it also offers more fine-grained control, like being able to tap on buttons and other controls within an app, for example.
Google has been working on this accessibility product for about two years. The company said that Voice Access was primarily designed to help people with debilitating diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and spinal cord injuries.
But since the app works similarly to how users use voice commands with Google Assistant, it should also come in handy for those people who are multitasking or simply have their hands occupied.
When Voice Access is activated, the app will overlay every tappable elements on the screen with small numbers that users can call to interact. For example, users can use a Save button by just saying "click 7".
Other available commands include general instructions like "go back," "show notifications" and "go home." Users can also tell Voice Access to turn on the WiFi or Bluetooth, adjust the volume, open an app or turn off.
And when composing a text message, users can also use Voice Access to type, replace, delete, select, cut, copy or paste words, letters and phrases.
What's more, there is also the option of formatting certain types of text like email addresses.
Stefanie Putnam, a quadriplegic that worked with the Google Accessibility team on Voice Access said that, "After using this product for probably about 10 seconds, I think I'm falling in love with it. You use your voice and you're able to access the world. It has become a huge staple in my life."
Google also says that while the feature is useful for those with mobility limitations, it could also be an option for those users are just juggling multiple actions at once and could use some hands-free control.
Voice Access is available globally for users using Android 5 Lollipop and above, but initially supports only English commands. Google said that it's planning to add more languages in the future. Users can download the Voice Access app through Google Play.
While it works like a charm, users should take notice that when Voice Access is active, the listening mode may drain battery because of it continuously using the mobile device's microphone to wait for commands. But the good thing about this continuous listening is that users don't need to invoke it repeatedly.