Google is rolling out new accessibility features for Android users today. The company is implementing action blocks that allow users to create large buttons for actions. There are also improvements to Live Transcribe, Sound Amplifier, and other accessibility-related updates.
Google launches new accessibility features for Android, in these useful apps
action blocks
Action Blocks is Google's attempt to make it easier for people with cognitive disabilities to perform common tasks on their phones. With Action Blocks, a user can create a large, customizable button for any action that the Google Assistant can perform.
That means you can create buttons to call friends and family, take a selfie, play music, and more.
Action Blocks or Action Bolocks is available as a separate app on the Play Store, and it works on all Android devices running Android 5.0 and above. You can download it directly from the following official link:
Live transcript
Google is also making improvements to Live Transcribe.
With this update, the app now has the following additional features.
- Your phone can now vibrate when someone says your name.
- You can add custom names for places and objects.
- There is a new search bar that can search for past transcripts. Users will need to turn on "Save Transcripts" in Settings to use this feature.
- Live Transcribe now also supports Albanian, Burmese, Estonian, Macedonian, Mongolian, Punjabi, and Uzbek.
The Live Transcribe app is available for all devices running Android 5.0 and above.
Sound amplifier
Google's Sound Amplifier app is also getting a big update today. The app now has Bluetooth support. Therefore, users can connect their headset to their phone and keep the phone close to the audio source, for example a TV.
The sound amplifier will amplify the sound from the TV directly to your headphones.
The app is available on the Play Store for devices running Android 6.0 and above. You can download it here.
