Best New Accessibility Features in Android 10
Android 10 is the latest version of Android and is packed full of new features such as improved security, gesture-based navigation, updated parental controls, and support for folding screens. And with every Android update, there are several new and improved accessibility features for people with disabilities. They vary in type and can be easily turned on in the accessibility settings menu. Most importantly, they make Android easier to use for anyone with vision, hearing, speech, or physical disabilities.
While Android 10 accessibility has been highlighted in tandem with the release of the latest version, there are still many updates ahead. Here’s a look at what’s new in Android 10’s accessibility settings and a preview of some of the upcoming updates.
Dark mode
Dark mode isn’t technically part of Android’s accessibility, but it seems like that’s all there is to it – and for good reason. Light text on a dark background tends to be a more comfortable color scheme for most people. This is especially useful for people with photosensitivity or photophobia, and those prone to headaches due to bright displays. In addition, a darker user interface helps conserve battery power .
Dark Mode is available through the standard Android settings panel. In the Display section, scroll down to the Dark Theme option and tap the toggle to turn it on. This will apply dark mode to the entire system. The Android interface and various elements, as well as any compatible apps, will automatically switch to a darker theme.
Unfortunately, if you have third-party apps on your device that haven’t adopted the darker color scheme, you’ll continue to struggle with the white background. A surefire way to declare that you are relying on a darker interface is by emailing the developer directly via the Google Play Store or leaving feedback asking for the feature.
Live subtitles
One of the main features of Android 10 is Live Caption, which adds automatic captions to any video or voice (excluding phone and video calls). Live Caption also works with videos on social media like Twitter and Instagram. And it will even work with podcasts.
Subtitles happen on the device, so they work even when you’re in airplane mode. It is currently available on Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL devices and is expected to arrive later this year on Pixel 3, 3XL, 3a and 3a XL. Google says it is also working with other device makers to make it more affordable next year.
Interactive captioning is available in the Accessibility Settings under Audio and Screen Text. Once enabled, you can choose the text size, signature style, and default language.
For those who don’t have access to Live Caption yet, try its sister feature called Live Transcribe. It runs in Android 9 Pie and can transcribe active dialogues from your surroundings as well as any sound played on your device.
You can enable live transcript from the same accessibility settings menu as live captioning under Audio & On-Screen Text. Once enabled, it is accessible via the bottom navigation bar. You can customize Live Transcribe as you see fit, with options ranging from the size of the displayed text to whether you want your device to save the transcription after the fact. By default, you can use Live Transcribe in two languages.
Sound amplifier
The audio booster was announced as an accessibility feature of Android 10, although it was available for use with Android 9. It has been updated with the latest version to include an updated interface and add backward compatibility with Android Marshmallow.
The sound booster effectively amplifies the ambient sound and spoken words that are picked up by wired headphones connected to your phone. This can help you better tune in to your surroundings while drowning out any sounds that are too loud. It is available in the Accessibility section of the Android Settings menu under the Audio & Screen Text section. Like Live Transcribe, you can turn this feature on and off from the bottom navigation bar.
Audio balance
Along with the audio booster, users can now adjust the audio balance when streaming audio and music from an Android device. The slider is available in Accessibility Settings under Sound Enhancer. Move the slider while listening to music or spoken word until it sounds preferable.
Improved hearing aid support
While Android has long offered support for hearing aids and sound processor, Android 10 includes compatibility with the new open source hearing aid and sound processor specification . It runs on Bluetooth LE, and Google developed it in part with GN Hearing and Cochlear, two major hearing aid manufacturers.
Since the specification is open source, any OEM or phone manufacturer can use it to optimize their smartphones for use with hearing aids and sound processors. It will also eliminate the need to carry a key with you and has the added benefit of helping to extend battery life in both your hearing aid, sound processor and smartphone.
Answer
The Android Talkback screen reader is one of the commonly used accessibility features and is updated in a different release cycle from the annual Android update cycle. Updates are typically released three times a year, with the next release scheduled for November 2019, according to Brian Kemler, Google Product Manager for Android Availability. In a phone call, Kemler confirmed that the update will include tweaks to the overall performance, stability and stability of Talkback. and code health, as well as improvements to help “optimize your existing product.” Kemler also mentioned some of the new Talkback features designed to help the blind and visually impaired.
It’s time to act
People who may need a little more time to complete notification or system prompt actions can adjust their timeout settings before it disappears. In the accessibility settings, you can choose from 10-30 seconds to two minutes before the pop-up disappears. One caveat: some third-party apps are incompatible with this feature.
Vibration and tactile strength
Use this feature if you want to adjust the intensity of your smartphone’s vibration motor when it calls, or enable haptic feedback when you touch the screen. If you don’t want your phone to answer at all, you can also turn off vibration and haptic feedback using this setting.
This story was updated on 10/30/19 to clarify that Cochlear and related manufacturers also make implantable sound processors that cater to those at different stages of the journey to hearing loss.