Google has officially announced they added brand new features to help those with disabilities so they can use their products too. They understand that there are many people with disabilities and that is why they have made these changes.
Updates
Google said, “These updates will make the day-to-day tasks easier and swifter. Some changes occurred in pictures, G maps, and more.” One more feature that was launched recently is the Lookout Image Q&A mode.
One of the changes that was made is now people can find what any business identifies with. For example, the business owner can add an LGBTQ+ badge if they support that or put a badge that says they are black-owned. That is just the beginning of the badges that are available, but Google worked with the community to find out how they should design the badges. Additionally, they even worked with the Internal Disability Alliance Employer resource group to help make the disability badge. Also, this new feature will show on the businesses listing on maps and even search. But there is hope that this change will help support small businesses.
Another thing Google changed is a screen reader that is now capable of the lens in maps. Furthermore, this is more of an improvement to the Live view, which uses AI and AR 9artificial reality) to help people who are in areas they don’t know as well. So with this, they can find things like ATMs. train stations, and even nearby diners. However, with how the lens in maps was made, those who might be blind or have damaged vision struggled or couldn’t use it at all. This is why a screen reader was added, so now the details of the area can be said and not just read.
Google is Planning More
In March 2023, the employees of Google became flabbergasted the minute they found out that one of the biggest consumers was thinking about switching to Microsoft Bing as the default of its devices. The big consumer being the South Korean company Samsung.
Google has been running the search engine show for about 25 years now. There hasn’t been a threat of being dethroned like this in a very long time. But one of the main reasons Samsung is considering making Microsoft Bing the default engine for their phones and tablets is due to the recent new artificial intelligence that Microsoft added.
Following that, Google started to panic because if the deal with Samsung and Microsoft Bing was finalized, then there would be about a three billion dollar loss in annual revenue for Google. And that’s not all, as Apple is thinking about making the same choice. And if Apple signs a similar contract, then there will be a 20 billion dollar loss.
Biggest Risk
So, as evidence shows, AI has grown into the biggest risk to Google. The only choice they have is to make their own AI, which is what they have announced they are doing. They are creating a brand new search engine. Google is also gonna upgrade its existing AI and add new features. These new features are all in one project that was named Magi.
Magi is being made by designers, engineers, and some executives and they are all working in “Sprint rooms” to help evaluate or tweak the newest version of the project. This new AI will offer a way better-personalized experience than the one that is currently set up.
By Samuel Cruz
Sources:
GIZMODO: Google Rolls Out New Accessibility Features to Make Daily Tasks Easier
Blog Google: 8 ways we’re making daily tasks more accessible
Times of India: Google Search, Maps, and Assistant are getting new accessibility features: All the details
New York Times: Google Devising Radical Search Changes to Beat Back A.I. Rivals
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Robert Scoble Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Nigelpepper Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
