Google: Android will receive several new features at the end of the year

At the end of the year, Google is evaluating Android with a number of new features that complement the operating system in areas such as emojis, audiobooks, voice control, Google Maps, Android Auto, and Nearby Share. Some of the innovations are still in beta and won’t be rolled out on a large scale until next year.

Emoji cooking with over 14,000 combinations

Emoji Kitchen is the name of the Gboard keyboard function, with which you can create your creations from different emojis. Whether it’s an alien in a mask, a Christmas tree with sunglasses, or a pineapple with a smiley face – hundreds of combinations have been possible with Emoji Kitchen so far, but Google has now taken them to over 14,000. Currently limited to the Gboard beta, the new Emoji Kitchen is expected to be available on all smartphones running Android 6.0 and above in the coming weeks.

Google converts books to audiobooks

For audiobooks on Google Play, Google offers US and UK publishers automatic narration if an audiobook for a title was not previously available. Publishers now have access to the required tool in a beta version, and release for all vendors is scheduled for early next year.

Voice Access labeled as an interface

In the voice control system, developed mainly for people with reduced mobility, Google wants to bring the functions previously reserved for Android 11 on all smartphones from Android 6.0. Where the interface was previously automatically tagged with numbers from Android after activating “Voice Access” to be able to say “press 5” or “scroll down to 3”, Google’s machine learning algorithms will add correct names to the user interface of the individual buttons. The new Voice Access can now be tried by anyone by joining the public beta program after downloading it from Google Play.

Quick access to destinations in Google Maps

Google Maps has a “Go tab” for quick access to frequently visited places. Known routes can be started from the new tab with a tap of your finger instead of having to search for the address in advance. You can also see real-time traffic forecasts, road closures and estimated time of arrival. Anyone using public transport can store specific connections on the Go tab. The new view will be rolled out for Android and iOS in the coming weeks.

Android Auto for Eastern Europe

Android Auto (test) is expected to expand to more countries in the coming months. These include the Scandinavian Peninsula and Finland, Iceland, the Benelux countries, Portugal, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Namibia and Botswana, as well as Indonesia and Thailand.

Share apps using nearby sharing

Nearby Share, Google’s counterpart to Apple’s AirDrop, is expected to allow apps to be shared between smartphones without a cellular or WiFi connection in the coming weeks. On Google Play there will be a new “Share app” tab for the function in the “My apps and games” area, through which the apps installed on the smartphone can be selected and shared with friends.