Android launched a new feature for its mobile phone operating system that allows individuals to access devices via changing facial expressions. The move is based on research conducted back in 2016 by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies Shepherd Center, showing that more than 91% of individuals with disabilities use a smartphone or a tablet in their daily activities.
A total of 7,500 respondents participated in the study, where 84% of participants indicated regular use of smartphone devices, including playing online and activating bonuses in no deposit free spins casino. However, accessibility icons may present a challenge for individuals with disabilities, and making them more accessible, convenient, and discrete is a priority for providers. Individuals can now enjoy fast access to devise using control with facial expressions feature.
Here are some more features to be discussed:
- Source Feature
- The Camera Switches feature
- How the Camera Switch Feature will work
- Facial features in use
- Access to the Camera Switch Feature
Source Feature
XDA Developers reports indicate that the new feature is a new development by Google to add to its accessibility features. The feature allows individuals to control their devices, such as a phone, using facial expressions. Imagine opening your mouth for an open command or raising an eyebrow for a closing command! People and, generally, individuals facing various disabilities will have a more convenient and discrete way of using their devices through this accessibility feature. The feature’s appearance shows the company’s commitment to making it easier for people with disabilities to utilize technology and its applications to the maximum.
In 2019, Google decided to ensure that audio features were more accessible to people suffering from disabilities. As a result, the company came up with the most practical and convenient ideas and, thus, the introduction of the “Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier” apps. The two apps were to aid individuals who are deaf and those that have other hearing problems. In its report during the app launch, Google indicated that “the Live Transcribe app had the ability and potential to offer deaf and hard on hearing individuals independence in social interactions and everyday responsibilities.” Plus, the app design ensured that individuals speaking different languages worldwide could also use the application as it offers over 70 language interactions. According to Google Reports, you could conduct two-way communications using a keyboard to type back or speak if concerned about accuracy. Today, the company is trying to do a similar thing that will benefit individuals facing various challenges by introducing the Camera Switch feature!
The Camera Switches Feature
Google is planning on launching the famous “Camera Switch Feature” during the launch of the Android 12 Accessibility Suite App and Fourth Beta. The feature is an additional element that allows Android mobile phone users to interact or use the phone without touching the screen. An individual only needs typical facial features such as your regular smile, lifting your eyebrows, or moving your eyes left or right. The facial expressions are pretty simple, showing the complexity of this specific feature and the level of sensitivity required to identify such subtle expressions. Even though the app isn’t yet available for download on Google Play Store, XDA indicates an available online APK file for individuals willing to give it a chance before its actual release in the store.
How the Camera Switch Feature Will Work
The Camera Switch feature will work similarly to the Action Block feature released earlier in the year. The Action Block feature allows the user to identify a specific action, assign it to a particular block and use the block to issue a command on your Android mobile phone. Google reported that the action blocks made it easy for individuals facing cognitive disabilities to use Android-based mobile phones or tablets. “A single action block can carry a photo or image of a loved one. The block will appear on your home screen in a large, hardtop miss icon. The icon would trigger the phone into completing a specific action such as calling that specific person,” according to Google.
The Camera Switch feature runs sensitive software to identify and differentiate several facial features/expressions. Features will include eye, mouth, and eyebrow movements. The expressions will control functions such as scrolling through the phone, opening notifications, or the quick settings on your devices or going back to the home screen. Higher sensitivity levels indicate that there will be a reduction in accidental phone activations, which can be embarrassing if in a public place. However, the use of the camera switch feature will also be power-intensive. Therefore, users will have to use the feature only when the phone has direct access to a power source for maximum efficiency.
Facial Features in Use
Facial features vary extensively, and incorporating all at one would have presented a considerable challenge. Therefore, Google put a few features together for the beta phase. The potential facial gestures on the app as of now include smiling, looking left or right, opening your mouth, or looking down. The features help an individual go back to the home page if smiling, scroll back and forth if looking right or left, and selecting if the mouth is open. However, one may require adjusting the gesture in terms of size and holding it a bit longer for efficient results at first. Plus, the app will only work if the phone camera is on and ready for use. The Android 12 version-enabled devices will have a bar indicating when the camera is switched on or is in use.
Adding facial features for accessibility further improves Google’s efforts to ensure proper accessibility to Android devices. The improvements include the continuous voice control features and the powered action blocks that aid Google assistant in providing essential services to people with disabilities. You can practise and see the benefits that arise with Camera Switch.
Access to the Camera Switch Feature
The Camera Switch Feature is not accessible to all Android-based phones as of now. It is only available to Pixel phone users that support Android 12. But, Google is planning to roll out the version, and any mobile or smartphone supporting the operating system will soon have access to Camera Switch.
Summary
The Camera Switch Feature is already trending amongst new tech-based news. However, it is a relief to individuals facing disabilities. The feature will aid in overcoming daily challenges such as sensory, cognitive, or motor disabilities preventing one from enjoying technological advancements or using them for assistance. In addition to voice recognition and assistance to Action Blocks and other audio enhancing devices, Camera Switch will make a difference!
