Google Assistant Update Adds Accessibility Features for Tobii Dynavox Screens

Nowadays, assistive technologies are of significant importance. Each year, a vast amount of hardware and software innovations are being created like smart home appliances, TVs, thermostats, lights, and more. Among all this, one missing aspect has always remained there like how the ones who might face difficulties interacting with them can overcome all the challenges to get benefits, using them. As a part of International AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) awareness month, Google Assistant is coming up with its support for the Tobii Dynavox’s devices and applications. It will come integrated with the devices and apps so as to strengthen their capabilities for smart home device interaction.

With the help of Google Assistant, Snap Core First software of Tobii Dynavox, that runs on the I-Series, I-110, mobile apps and indi screens as well, will now be able to include Assistant actions by customizing tiles. Some functions that you can perform using them include the ability to turn on/off the lights, changing the thermostat’s temperature with an eye gaze or a simple touch. You can manipulate through Tobii Dynavox’s software, every device that you have set up in the Google Home application. The new integration to the Assistant integration will also be allowing the users of the assistive screens in getting results from Google about anything they wish to, like the weather reports, news analysis or any upcoming events.

It is easy to set up the Assistant on Tobii Dynavox’s screens. All that you need will be a smart display or speakers like the Nest mini or Nest hub, and your Google account. You will also require a Google Home app. You can also integrate ‘Action Blocks’ here. You can create Action Block with the help of tens of thousands of Picture Communication Symbols. With the help of the Action Blocks, people having a cognitive disability can efficiently use Android handsets. They can do so, with the help of Google Assistant through the customizable home screen buttons. These home screen buttons can complete actions like calling someone, watching your favorite show, turning on the lights, and more.

To understand it better, you can go and watch the video that Google has compiled on YouTube. The video highlights their features for Google Assistant and other compatible hardware. Whenever Google creates any new piece of hardware or software, they make sure to leave no one behind, and they do it by putting accessibility first. Across its ecosystem, Google has a vast number of accessibility features, and apps like one of them are “Be My Eyes” apps that help the blind people or people with low-vision to complete their everyday tasks. These accessibility features and apps are revolutionary and extremely useful, and you should try using them.

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Google Chromecast: How to Get Started?

Gone are the days when we needed to pick up the remote control to access the desired channels. Things have changed since then. When you use the new Chromecast streaming stick to watch TV, based on its knowledge, it tries to find out the content that matches you, or you may want to watch.

You need to follow these steps before you get started:

1. Once you plug in the streaming stick on the back of your TV, you need to press and hold down two buttons on your remote control.
2. Open the Google Home app and log in and enter your home address where you use Chromecast.
3. This lets the application access the location of your smartphone, which makes it easier to find the nearby Chromecast.
4. You need to then provide access to your device’s camera to the Google Home app, so as to scan the barcode appearing on the screen. This links the Google Home app with the Chromecast hardware.
5. You need to agree with the Google privacy policy via agreement and then specify where your Chromecast is located.
6. Then connect your Chromecast to the Wi-Fi network.
7. Meanwhile, you will be presented with an option for sharing additional information with Google so as to help it improve its services and product related to it.
8. Google would then ask you to record some voice samples. These voice samples are required to let the virtual assistant recognize your voice.
9. Then you can pick your favorite streaming apps, like Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube TV.

Google states that the information provided by you helps it in showing you the personalized information and recommendations. Rest assured, the information given by you is for this purpose only. To help you find the related content is the only aim of Google.

Google says that the setup process with the help of Google Home app is a shortcut with which you can easily skip the manual entering of all your information and your password with a remote. The access which you grant regarding the camera and location is the security requirement of the setup process.

Generally, users pick from thousands of movies and TV shows, and it is always a challenging task to get satisfied with whatever a user chooses for himself. Chromecast here helps in accessing content that would be best suited for you. It also offers various recommendations of its own that you might want to watch.

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End-to-End Encryption Will Come to Google Messages

Finally, Google Messages app will be getting a new update. The end-to-end encryption will now be integrated into the standard messaging app of Android phones. This new feature was firstly recognized by the third party apk providers such as APKMirror and 9to5 Google. The forthcoming version of the messaging app would run on Rich Communication services, also known as RCS that is far better technology used in the current SMS app.

The arriving app would be loaded with several advanced features that come on the iMessage app by Apple and the WhatsApp messaging app from Facebook. Now you will be able to access exciting features like reading receipts, group chats, character allowed up to 8000, typing notification, and send messages via WiFi and mobile data.

This means the new app will possess powerful features on the par with third party social messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Now bear in mind that the current SMS app supports only up to 160 characters.  

Users had to wait for a long time to get these features on their traditional SMS apps, but it seems like they don’t need to wait anymore.

The most significant feature, the end-to-end encryption is being planned for the new Google Messages app to enhance credibility and security. This is no doubt a groundbreaking update for the mere SMS app that is considered a pretty basic app. However, after the update, it seems like it will become one of the smartest apps to send and receive messages.

Now once this new app is out, users may get rid of the third parties messaging platforms that have pathetic privacy policies. Due to using the advanced features, most users are forced to use these apps despite the fact that their privacy gets scrapped. 

Other messaging applications like iMessage and Signal, Google Messages lack the most important feature “end to end encryption” that ensures users’ privacy and security.

Without this feature, the service providers can dig into your private conversations and use it for their own benefits.  

This feature also prevents third parties from accessing your private conversations and interests. Privacy is the biggest concern these days for social media and any social communication app.

Gladly, the new Google Messages will come with 12 strings of encryption as per told by 9 to 5 Google. It is not clear whether these features would work with only updating the app on the sender’s device, or both users need it on their devices.

This information will only reveal when it will come out officially or the beta version for testing purposes. Users will also get control over the permissions for the Google Messages app, and they will be able to deny and allow specific apps to access its data. 

However, there is no official confirmation about exactly when this feature is gonna roll out for the standard users. Whereas this new amazing feature is a lot exciting and will turn around the whole way we use the app today, nothing can be said for its release date so far.

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