A number of upgrades to Google's Android and ChromeOS products have been unveiled, but the highlight of the show appears to be a new version of Nearby Share.
This is Google's version of Apple's AirDrop function, which lets you share files and media to other devices, including your own, and was unveiled earlier this year alongside Android 13.
With this new update, you can transmit files automatically and without prompting. For example, if you have many images to share at once, it will queue them up and send them to the device you've selected without requiring your approval repeatedly.
Google, however, has disclosed further updates(opens in new tab) that concern widgets, Google Meet, and accessibility.
updates on a broad scale
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You can now access your Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets files without opening the app thanks to a new Google Drive widget.
The fun function of Gboard, Google's keyboard, is also there. When you choose "Emojify," the system will convert any phrase you write into emojis.
In a Google Meet call, you'll finally be able to watch YouTube videos, much to Apple's SharePlay feature, which debuted in 2021. When you select "YouTube" from the settings menu while on a call, you can choose any video you like, and it will begin playing for everyone on the call.
The other, to me, is the accessibility enhancements for all Google operating systems, from Android to Google TV.
For instance, if a fire alarm sounds, your Android device will notify you of it and either turn on its flashlight or emit a special set of vibrations to help the hearing-impaired.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, Google TV will soon offer audio descriptions that will provide a set of subtitles explaining what is happening during whatever you are watching.
All of them will be available in the upcoming weeks, and they are all helpful features that might add some humour to your everyday meetings at work or just because you want to send your spouse an emoji for no particular reason. Although it's good to see Google continue to make progress in this area, there is still much that has to be done, particularly with relation to wearOS and ChromeOS.
