Unveiling Android’s Upgrade: Better Accessibility & Smarter Gemini AI

Frederick Nyame

December 6, 2024

Google has released exciting updates for Android and Pixel devices. These include new video captions, an upgraded Lookout app, and more features for Gemini Assistant. Pixel owners, especially those with Pixel 9 phones, get extra perks.

Expressive Captions

Google has improved video captions with Expressive Captions. These captions add details like “[gasp]” or “[applause]” to describe non-verbal moments. The feature works across apps, including social media and video messages. It helps users better understand videos with emotional and contextual cues.

Lookout App Upgraded

The Lookout app now has more advanced photo descriptions. Google added its Gemini 1.5 model to the app’s Image Q&A feature. This upgrade gives clearer and more accurate descriptions of photos. It helps people with low vision or blindness understand visual content better.

Gemini Assistant Gets Smarter

Google has expanded Gemini Assistant’s abilities. A new Spotify extension lets users play music directly through Gemini. This update fills a gap that made Gemini less functional than Google’s original Assistant.

Gemini also gains the Utilities extension, which lets it make calls, send emails, and change phone settings. These updates make Gemini more useful and versatile.

New Tools for Android

Android users get new features to improve productivity and customization:

Join GizChina on Telegram

Emoji Kitchen Stickers: Users can create custom stickers in Gboard for fun chats.
Quick Share via QR Code: Photos can now be shared easily using QR codes.
Better Google Drive Scanning: The updated scanning mode improves the capture of receipts and documents.

These features depend on the Android version and device. Users should check Google’s support page for compatibility.

Exclusive Features for Pixel Phones

Pixel devices get extra updates in the December feature drop, with the Pixel 9 series leading the way.

Call Screening Enhancements: The assistant now offers reply suggestions during call screening. Users can select a response without picking up the call.
Screenshots App Upgrades: Pixel 9 users can save searches done with Circle to Search in the Screenshots app. The app now suggests phrases in Gboard based on saved screenshots. Users can also store tickets or cards from screenshots into Google Wallet.
Identity Check: Pixel 6 and newer devices add security by requiring extra authentication in new locations when accessing sensitive settings.

Rollout and Compatibility

The updates are rolling out now. Pixel 6 and newer devices are receiving the update first. Other features are coming through Google Play Services.

Note: These updates are not tied to Android 15 and work on several earlier Android versions.

Conclusion

Google’s latest updates bring smarter tools and better usability to Android and Pixel devices. Features like Expressive Captions and upgraded Gemini Assistant improve daily tasks. Pixel phones, especially the Pixel 9, gain even more useful features. These updates ensure Google’s software continues to lead in accessibility, AI, and customization.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

Source/VIA :

The Verge