Google updates Android to let users control their phone with their eyes
Users are able to personalise the word and phrases so that their “authentic voice” comes through
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Google has launched a new experimental application on its Android devices that allows people to choose preselected phrases on their phone screen using only their eyes.
“With the app, people simply have to look left, right or up to quickly select what they want to say from a list of phrases”, Google’s speech and language therapist Richard Cave explains in a blog post.
Users are able to personalise the word and phrases so that their “authentic voice” comes through, and the eye sensitivity setting can be adjusted so users are not inadvertently choosing phrases while using their phone.
Looking left, right, and up – offscreen - lets users choose from a list of phrases that continually narrows down until it reaches the one that the user wants, which the device then speaks aloud.
“All of the data is private and never leaves the phone”, Cave says, adding that the feature can be used where “communication devices couldn’t easily go—for example, in outdoors, in transit, in the shower and in urgent situations.”
Look to Speak is available to everyone and is compatible with Android 9.0 and above, including Android One.
Google is also working on firmware for the Nest Hub Max, its smart-display, which activates the Google Assistant as soon as it senses its user’s presence.
It was also discovered to be rolling out another update that will send Android users notifications when their phone hears certain household sounds.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments