Google has introduced a series of updates aimed at enhancing user experience on its platforms, particularly focusing on accessibility and usability for Android users. One of the standout features is the integration of follow-up questions into the TalkBack screenreader, which now allows users to inquire further about images displayed on their screens. This advancement enables users to ask specific questions, such as identifying the color of an object or the material it is made from, thereby enriching the interaction with visual content.
In addition to this, Google is rolling out an update for Chrome on Android that significantly improves text zooming capabilities. Users can now enlarge text without altering the overall appearance of the webpage, a feature that addresses previous limitations where zooming affected the entire layout of the site. By utilizing a convenient slider, users can adjust text size for individual pages or set a preference that applies universally across all sites. This enhancement is accessible through the three-dot menu located in the top-right corner of the Chrome app.
Moreover, Google’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool has received an upgrade, now automatically recognizing scanned PDFs on desktop. This functionality allows users to highlight, copy, and search for text within these documents, as well as utilize screen readers effectively. Initially launched in beta earlier this year, this feature is now available to all desktop users, streamlining the process of working with text in scanned formats.
Another notable addition is the launch of Expressive Captions, which provides real-time captions for audio content across various applications on Android devices. Utilizing artificial intelligence, this feature captures not only the spoken words but also the tone and emotion behind them. For instance, users will be able to see captions that differentiate between a casual “no” and a more dramatic “noooooo.” Furthermore, Google is expanding the types of sounds that can be captioned, including whistling and throat clearing. This feature is currently being rolled out in English across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia for devices operating on Android 15 and later.
