We already know that Android M and a new wearable from Google ATAP will make it to Google I/O at the end of the month, but that’s not all of the big news that Google’s got planned.
A session titled “Your app, now available hands-free” hints at a new feature that will help Android app developers add voice control to their apps. The description for the session references Voice Access, which Google describes as “a service that gives anyone access to their Android device through voice alone.” The explanation of the session also mentions that touch is the main input method for mobile devices, but that Voice Access could provide a new input method with little or no development work. Google also promises that it’ll explain how devs can ensure that Voice Access provides users with a good experience in their apps.
Voice commands are already a major part of Android, with Google constantly expanding the features that its “Ok Google” phrase can enable. Recently Google introduced custom voice actions that’ll let you launch apps using commands like “Listen to NPR” and “Open TuneIn in car mode.” Whether this new Voice Access feature is an expansion of these custom voice actions or something larger remains to be seen, but the good news is that we’ve only got a few weeks before all is revealed.
How often do you use your voice to perform functions on your phone?
