Google introduces accessibility features in line with the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the day of accessibility awareness. As one of these, Action Blocks, which was released as a test program since October 2019, was released on Google Play as an Android app.
Action Block allows you to register the Google Helper function as a button on the smartphone home screen and execute it with a single tap. Originally, it is intended to be used by people who are difficult to manipulate by scrolling the screen with cognitive impairment and movement impairment to start an application program or go through several steps.
For example, if you can make calls, text messages, and work with Google Assistant with a single tap, you could turn the room lights on or off and control the TV with a single tap. If the smart home appliance can be easily operated on the home screen, it can be said to be good for the general public.
In addition to accessibility features, voice-to-text conversion features were also added. Voice-to-text conversion converts voice into text in real time, enabling people with hearing impairments to naturally communicate with each other. Also, when you call a name to someone close to you, you can recognize it, set your smartphone to vibrate, and register words such as place names that are not in the dictionary. You can also find previous conversations in the search bar. It can be used only if you want to save the conversation in the settings, and the conversation is saved on the terminal for up to 3 days.
In addition, it supports Bluetooth headphones as well as a function that amplifies the voice to make it easier to hear the surrounding sound. Placing your smartphone near a TV, etc., allows you to hear the voice clearly even from a remote location. In addition, if it is a pixel terminal, it is said that it is possible to lower the BGM by amplifying the voice of media played on the terminal such as YouTube, music, and podcasts. Related information can be found here .