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| Google announced 5 major Android features |
Google plans to launch five new Android features in the next few weeks to improve navigation on the map, mixing emojis in the Gboard keyboard app, voice access, audiobooks for the Google Play app store, and file sharing about the service's functionality.
In addition to these five new features, the US tech giant plans to introduce Android Auto (an automated version of Android) to 36 new countries.
Google added a new wording under the name of the service "Go to Maps", through which users can easily navigate to their favorite places without the need to enter an address. After selecting the destination, the Go tab displays the route, traffic conditions and interruptions in real time and the estimated time of arrival.
Google said: A new "Go To" tab will be launched in the coming weeks for Android and iOS mapping service users.
Google has expanded the Emoji Mix feature for stickers available on Gboard from hundreds to over 14,000. The feature is called “Emoji Kitchen” and it allows users to click two emojis to view or double the suggested mix - click on one emoji to view the most accurate version.
Google said: This feature, which is already available in the current beta version of Gboard, will be available for devices running Android version 6.0 and later in the coming weeks.
Google has also made changes that could make more audiobooks available on the Play Store. The company offers publishers in the US and UK a tool to automatically convert books to audio files. The tool is currently available in beta and can be made available to all publishers in early 2021.
Google said: The Android navigation function based on voice access (previously available for Android 11) is now available worldwide on all devices using Android systems from version 6.0. Using machine learning technology, the Voice Access feature allows you to click user interface elements such as buttons and labels using only voice commands.
Google also said that its Share Nearby service will soon support the direct sharing of Play Store apps with nearby Android users.
The company also said: In the next few months, Android Auto will be rolled out in 36 other countries to allow compatible cars running Android 10 and above to use Google's apps and services.