Google has announced several new features coming to Android phones, including updates to Gboard stickers, Play Points, and accessibility apps. Most notably, the company is bringing custom text stickers to all Android devices, after first launching them on Pixel phones in March. As you type, you will now be able to turn text into a custom sticker. Google says users will be able to write what they want to say and then choose a design to share their message with. The new custom text stickers will soon be available to US users writing in English.
The company is also rolling out more than 1,600 new Emoji Kitchen combinations to help users express themselves by creating new hybrid emojis. Google is also adding new rainbow-based stickers to allow people to celebrate Pride Month.
Image credit: Google
Google is also bringing enhanced background noise reduction to the Sound Amplifier app, which is designed for people with hearing loss. The app uses your phone to amplify and filter important sounds around you. With the new update, the app brings faster and more accurate sound along with a renewed user interface, which Google says is easier to use.
There are also new updates to the Lookout app, which are designed for people with impaired vision or blindness and use your phone’s camera to provide information about the world around you. The app gets a new “Images” mode that uses Google’s latest machine learning model to allow users to hear a description of an image. There are also updates to the app’s text mode, document mode, food label mode and Explore mode to make Lookout more accurate. The app now also works offline without the need for a Wi-Fi or data service connection.
Image credit: Google
“We’re introducing a set of updates to help your phone stand out as much as you do,” Angana Ghosh, Director of Product Management at Android, said in a blog post. “From more expressive ways to send messages to your friends, to subtle yet smart upgrades to entertainment and accessibility, we ensure that every interaction with your Android device is more useful than last. These updates add countless ways Android already helps you to connect with others and the world around you. “
Finally, users who have Google Play Points can now use them to get items in the app without leaving their games or apps. You have the option to cover the entire purchase with your Play Points or split it between Play Points and another form of payment. The new update will be rolled out over the coming weeks in countries where Play Points are available.