Android released five new updates on Tuesday as part of the latest mobile operating system release. These updates are now available for smartphones, tablets, and Wear OS watches. Some of the new features include audio descriptions for images, text-to-speech technology for web pages in Chrome, and the ability to search for songs with the “Circle to Search” feature.
One of the major additions is the official launch of “TalkBack,” an accessibility feature for individuals with visual impairments. Powered by Gemini Nano, Google’s language model-based platform, TalkBack provides detailed audio descriptions of digital images like online products, photos, and more.
Another new accessibility feature introduced is “Listen to this page,” which allows users to listen to web pages in the Chrome browser. This feature is especially helpful for individuals with disabilities or those who prefer listening over reading. Users can control the playback speed, language, and voice preferences.
Additionally, Android users now have access to Google’s “Circle to Search” feature, enabling music searching directly from the device with a simple gesture. This eliminates the need for third-party apps like Shazam and streamlines the search process for songs playing in the background.
Android’s earthquake alert system, now available in all U.S. states and territories, utilizes smartphone sensors to detect tremors and provide timely alerts for natural disasters. Likewise, Android smartwatch users can now access offline maps and new shortcuts on Watch OS for navigation and location tracking.
These new features come with the launch of Android 15, which will gradually roll out to more devices, including Pixel devices, throughout the year.
