Google Launches New AI and Accessibility Features for Android and Chrome

Google Improves Android and Chrome with New AI and Accessibility Tools

In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Google announced a suite of new tools and enhancements designed to make Android and Chrome more accessible. These features leverage artificial intelligence to offer a more inclusive and customizable experience for users with disabilities, particularly those with visual and auditory challenges.

TalkBack + Gemini Integration

The TalkBack screen reader on Android now integrates with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. This allows users to ask context-based questions about what's on their screen, including image descriptions, colors, and objects. It transforms the way users with visual impairments interact with digital content.

Expressive Captions in Real-Time

A new "Expressive Captions" feature provides real-time captions that convey not only spoken words but also the emotion, tone, and non-verbal sounds such as laughter or whistling. Initially available in English in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, this tool supports devices running Android 15 and higher.

Improved PDF Reading with OCR in Chrome

Chrome for desktop now includes optical character recognition (OCR) for scanned PDFs, enabling screen readers to detect and read text that was previously inaccessible. This enhancement greatly benefits users relying on assistive technology for navigating documents.

Custom Page Zoom for Chrome on Android

Android users can now personalize page zoom levels on Chrome without breaking page layouts. This update provides a smoother browsing experience for users who need larger text or visuals but want to preserve the original page design.

Expansion of Project Euphonia

Google is also expanding Project Euphonia, which aims to improve speech recognition for people with non-standard speech patterns. Developers now have access to open-source repositories to build custom speech tools and models that recognize a wider range of speech styles.

Conclusion

With these updates, Google continues to set the standard for digital accessibility, using AI to break barriers and empower users of all abilities. From screen readers to smart captions, the tech giant reinforces its commitment to inclusive technology.

Primary Source: Google Blog

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