Google recently announced TalkBack 9.1 for Android.
In a blog post published on Tuesday, Google announced what it described as an “all-new” version (officially, 9.1) of its TalkBack screen reader. Android accessibility product manager Brian Kemler wrote in the post the upgraded software includes “some of the most highly requested features from the Blind and low vision community.”
What was one of the most requested features for talkBack?
The new version of TalkBack is the most ambitious since Google introduced the feature in 2009. One of the most requested features of the new TalkBack is the ability to use multi-touch gestures to control the user interface similar to VoiceOver on iOS. Google says these new gestures “make it easier for you to interact with apps and let you perform common actions, such as selecting and editing text, controlling media and finding help.” Additionally, users can utilize swipe gestures to read through news headlines, for example. Swiping right to left, it’s possible to read full sentences, as well as breaking it down by word(s) or characters. Likewise, a single swipe up or down will enable navigation through a piece of text.
What other features are included in the update?
Another gestural command involves using voice to drive TalkBack. Swiping up then right will cause TalkBack to stop reading and await verbal instruction, Google says. The feature supports over 25 different commands such as “find” to locate particular text and “increase speech rate” to have TalkBack speak more quickly.
Can you customize any feature?
Also, Google has added the ability to customize TalkBack’s controls and menus in order to allow users a more personalized experience. Arabic and Spanish have been added to the Braille keyboard’s list of supported languages.
Google has a tutorial for the new TalkBack, as well as a “test pad” on which users can practice gestures. The company also posted a video of the feature to YouTube.
Who co-developed TalkBack with Google?
Google said the new TalkBack was co-developed with Samsung, adding TalkBack is the default screen reader on all Galaxy devices running One UI 3 and later.
