Google has just announced a total of five new functions coming to its Android operating system. The news will gradually arrive on its platform over the next few months and this time, it will not be limited to Pixel devices only.
We remind the reader that for its own mobile devices Google is more agile in the implementation of functions, doing it monthly and the last being the astro photography mode for the G Cam. Now the news is for other users.
It is the first time that Google chooses new functions, aggregates them in a post on its official blog and makes them known to all Android users. Discover then everything that will arrive on your smartphone or tablet throughout this summer!
1. Android Earthquake Alerts System - Earthquake and Natural Disaster Alerts
Firstly, we have a new platform integrated into the system that will warn us when natural disasters such as earthquakes are imminent. Above we see the presentation video, and the effort made by Google in the development of this function is notorious.
However, it should be noted that it will be made available globally. In practice, it will be able to send alerts seconds before an earthquake is felt in order to warn the population as soon as possible.
The functionality was already available in several countries such as New Zealand and Greece, and is now also available in Turkey, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, among other nations.
According to Google, the availability of the function will give priority to regions with greater propensity for earthquakes, but it will be available globally throughout the year.
2. Highlight an SMS in Google Messages
Secondly, we have the possibility to post messages in the Google Messages application. It's not exactly a novelty.
It's a very succinct function. We can put a "star" on a certain message if we want to highlight it, or post it for later reading, or if we want to find it succinctly. Note that highlighted messages can be found in their own tab. Just tap and hold a message to highlight it. Simple and effective.
We recommend that you keep the Google Messages app updated to take advantage of this new possibility now.
3. Contextual Emoji Kitchen for Gboard Keyboard
Available already in the beta (test) version of the Gboard keyboard, this platform will reach the stable version of the application during the summer. The user will be able to find suggestions for complementary emojis here after writing his message.
To do this, Google uses its algorithms, analyzing the content of the message and then suggesting emojis that can better illustrate the subject at hand.
This function is available to all users with the Android 6 operating system, or higher, and is already available in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Availability will be general until the end of this summer.
4. Direct access to apps with the Google Assistant
Through voice commands with the Google Assistant we can "jump" directly to different sections of Android without having to manually open the apps, or navigate there. These are the "Hey Google" shortcuts and they are already starting to be available.
The user can say, for example, "Hey Google", open the smartphone's Settings and gradually the assistant will know what to do. To get the full list of shortcuts you can ask the assistant itself "hey Google, shortcuts".
Added to this are the new functions available via Voice Access, still in beta, being able to know when we look at the screen. It is essentially a new smartphone navigation option using voice commands.
This feature is currently available in English, with more languages expected over time.
5. More customization for Android Auto
As Google points out in its recent publication, the experience of using the Android Auto platform will become more personal, with more possibilities for customization. The user will be able to better configure the platform launcher, as well as the appearance of the home screen.
We will also have new options such as Parking for electric vehicles, with navigation applications now available on Android Auto, as well as considerable improvements to the messaging apps compatible with this platform.
It will thus be possible to read and send messages via WhatsApp through Android Auto using voice commands (dictation). The same applies to messages received by the Google Messages app.
