Android Instant Apps allows users to try out apps without the hassle of actually installing them. Instant Apps work by breaking down a native app into small parts, which can be loaded faster and downloaded, then executed quickly. It displays the UI screen for an app, and as soon as it is closed, it is removed without being installed in the first place.
#Android
An Update to BrailleBack Beta for Android is Now Available.
If you have an Android device and a braille display, the BrailleBack app from the Play Store is a must have. The app makes it possible to read and input on your Android device using the braille display.
Path Guide from Microsoft has Great Potential: If It Were Made Accessible.
Microsoft has developed a new indoor navigation system that does not rely on GPS positioning, Wi-Fi signals, or Bluetooth beacons. The app, available for Android devices, allows anyone to record a path from one point to another point and then upload it to the cloud. Other Path Guide users can then access that information and follow the path to reach their location. The app also allows the users to attach text, audio, and photos to the original path. For example, a person can show how to get from an entrance to an office. They can also include text instructions, audio instructions, and photos that can help identify points of interest. This information can also be posted on websites and sent by email.
Aira for Android: is it Accessible?
Aira has developed a system that allows the user to connect to a live agent with a pair of smart glasses and an app on your phone. The agent then relays what is seen through the camera on the glasses, and relays it to the user through the headset or phone speaker via the Aira app. I recently recorded a podcast that shows how to set up the glasses and use the app on an iPhone, but some are wondering if it is accessible on an Android device.
Samsung SoundAssistant: Customize and Control Sound Output on Your Device.
The Samsung SoundAssistant is an app that allows the user to customize and control the sound output of their Samsung Galaxy phone. You can change the default function of the volume buttons: for example, from ring tone to media volume. You can set specific volumes for each application: for example, your music app can be set to a higher volume than your news media app. The coolest feature is only for the Galaxy S8 for now. It allows you to set different speaker outputs for each app; for example, you can set your music app to play through a Bluetooth speaker, while setting your game app to play through the phone’s speaker.
You can download the free app from the Play Store here.
Android O: New Accessibility Features in TalkBack 6.0.0.
The over the air update for the Android O developer preview has arrived, and there are some very interesting new features for those of us who use TalkBack.
Listen to this podcast to find out what accessibility improvements are on the way.
If you are considering installing the developer preview of Android O, make sure that you backup your device before enrolling in the Android Beta program, and downloading the update. Listen to this podcast on how too backup and enroll an Android device in the Beta program, if you need a step by step guide on how to do it.
Google Text to Speech Engine Adds 6 New Languages and Other Improvements.
This past week, Google made several improvements to their default text to speech engine. They added 6 new languages, which now brings the total number of languages to 35. The new languages are:
VIP: Don’t TalkBack with Your Mouth Full of Oreos
In this week’s, VIP, James Oates, Joel Ramos, and Rachel Feinberg discuss the top headlines concerning:
TalkBack 5.2 Public Beta is Now Available for Download.
The Google accessibility team released a public beta version of TalkBack 5.2 for people running Android Lollypop or higher. The interesting features now are a new verbosity setting that lets you control the amount of spoken feedback your device relays, and new earcons that are much more pleasant than the extremely annoying sounds in the previous version for some. I might be able to run TalkBack with the sounds on.
If you would like to try out the beta version of TalkBack 5.2, first join the Eyes-Free Google Group, receiving posts from this group is not a requirement. Sign up to become a Talkback beta tester.
New Features in Android O First Developer Preview.
Android enthusiasts, this is a great time for you. Android O first developer preview is now available for installation via flashing to your device. The Pixel, PixelXL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, and Pixel C tablet are the devices that are eligible to begin testing the first preview of Android O. The over the air Android Beta version of Android O should be available for the second preview coming in May.
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