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Wear OS 6 arrives, giving a fresh wind for smartwatches.
What you need to know
Wear OS 6’s Material 3 Expressive brings bold new visuals and smoother animations that blend with your mood.
UI now hugs the curved edges, and there’s a cleaner 3-slot layout along with dynamic theming.
Creative watch faces are also incoming, with photo-based designs and smoother transitions that unlock new customization.
Today at itsI/O 2025 developer conference, Google introduced the latest update to Wear OS meant to carrysmartwatchesinto a new era.Wear OS 6brings a wave of changes, including bold designs, smoother motions, and some extra battery life to keep your watch going longer.
Wear OS 6 iscoming in hot with Material 3 Expressive, a new design that blends style and smarts, as per Google’sblog post. It brings dynamic theming to the table, so your watch face and apps can shift colors to match your vibe.
The round display is getting some real attention too, with UI elements that wrap around the edges and layouts that make every quick glance worth it.
This update is giving your battery some love too. Wear OS 6 promises up to 10% more juice compared toWear OS 5, so your watch keeps ticking longer without constantly hunting for a charger.
Developers can now play with new Jetpack libraries (Wear Compose Material 3 and Wear ProtoLayout Material 3) to weave these new designs into their apps.
(Image credit: Google)
Tiles are getting a major facelift, too. A new 3-slot layout (title, main content, and a bottom slot) keeps the interface clean, while dynamic theming ensures your tiles blend seamlessly with your watch face.
Also new is what Google calls “Edge Buttons.” It hugs the sides of the screen, maximizing space on a 1.2-inch display.
Wear OS 6 also unlocks new tools, like animated transitions and support for photo-based designs. Plus, a fresh API makes it easier to build watch face marketplaces, so expect even more creative options soon.
(Image credit: Google)
The update also introduces enhanced media controls, including fast-forward, rewind, and playlist access. And in a nod to younger users, Google is expanding its lineup with Galaxy Watch for Kids, a phone-free way for little ones to stay connected safely.
For developers, the Wear OS 6 emulator is now live in Android Studio, along with codelabs and design kits to kickstart projects. Users, meanwhile, can look forward to the full rollout later this year.
Half a year on and one league up, is the Mavic 4 Pro worth almost double the cost?
The Mavic series is the pinnacle ofDJI’s consumer drone range and it has new member, theDJI Mavic 4 Pro.
Sure, you can head off further into the stratosphere with DJI’s Matrice models, but they aren’t really meant for ordinary drone fans or content creators.DJI’s Air 3Sis the more important alternative here.
It was only released a handful of months before. And while the DJI Air 3S sits a step below the DJI Mavic 4 Pro in DJI’s drone line-up, it has comparable features in some of the most important areas. And it is a whole lot cheaper.
Is the DJI Mavic 4 Pro really that much of a better drone than the DJI Air 3S? Here’s how the two compare, from pricing and camera specs to the flying time per charge and obstacle detection tech. Whichever model you opt for, you’ll be getting one of DJI’sbest drones.
The Mavic 4 Pro is significantly larger and heavier than the middleweight Air 3S.(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro launched at £1879 / AU$3,099, with US launch TBC
DJI Air 3S costs $1,099 / £989 / AU$1,699
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro was released a little over half a year after the Air 3S. It was announced on May 13, 2025, while the Air 3S arrived on October 15, 2024.
There’s quite a gulf in pricing, but that makes sense when the Mavic 4 Pro is a larger and altogether more feature-packed drone.
At release the DJI Air 3S cost $1,099 / £959 / AU$1,699 for the base kit. The Mavic 4 Pro costs £1879 / AU$3,099, coming close to double the price. US price and release plans are yet to be confirmed, thanks to the chaos caused by US tariffs and continued uncertainty surrounding a DJI drone ban: not only are DJI’s drones made in China, DJI itself is a Chinese company.
At over 1kg, the Mavic 4 Pro is not a light drone — although neither gets near to the registration-free sub-250g bar.(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro: Over 1KG, 390mm in longest dimension
DJI Air 3S: 724g, 325mm in longest dimension
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is a good deal larger and heavier than the DJI Air 3S, but it’s a slightly different class of drone.
An Air 3S measures 266.11×325.47×106.00 mm when unfolded, ready for flight, compared to the 328.7×390.5×135.2 mm of the Mavic 4 Pro. And the weight difference is greater than 300g too.
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro weighs 1,063g, to the 724g Air 3S. Of course, given both are far too large and too heavy to skirt around drone regulation, these factors arguably matter less than they would if we were discussing the kind of drone you might buy when starting out.
Their looks don’t warrant dwelling on too long, but you may notice how the camera module which juts out of the body is not quite the same. The gimbal hardware sits towards the bottom of the body’s front in the Air 3S, where it appears more of a straight continuation, a head to the body, of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro.
This design comes into play in the quite remarkable articulation of the Mavic 4 Pro gimbal, which we’ll cover later.
DJI Air 3S: Dual 24/70mm lenses, 1-inch primary sensor
The clearest practical upgrade you can notice from a fairly brief glance at these two drones: the Mavic 4 Pro has three cameras, the Air 3S two.
They both have a wide-angle lens camera, although the DJI Air 3S’s is actually the wider of the two — a 24mm equivalent view instead of a 28mm one. Each also has a 70mm lens, but only the Mavic 4 Pro gets the extended telephoto view, with a 168mm equivalent lens.
DJI has a fairly good excuse for leaning a little less wide in the higher-end drone too — despite the oldMavic 3 Prousing 24mm. It has a significantly wider maximum aperture than its direct predecessor, with an impressive range of f/2-11, compared to f/2.8-11.
The Air 3S’s has an even stronger f/1.8 figure. But its aperture is not variable, and the Mavic 3 Pro’s sensor is also much larger. Both factors make achieving a super-wide f-stop aperture figure more difficult.
Where the Air 3S has a respectable 1-inch sensor for this wide camera, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro has a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) one with twice the resolution — 100MP instead of 50MP. It’s a “Hasselblad” camera too. How much credit you give to these branding exercises is up to you, but it’s a sign DJI considers it among the best of its gear.
The 70mm telephoto cameras are much more evenly matched. Both drones have a 48MP 1/1.3-inch sensor for this “mid telephoto” view, and an f/2.8 lens capable of focusing as close as three meters away.
As can the 168mm camera exclusive to the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. It also uses a respectably sized 1/1.5-inch sensor of 50MP resolution.
This drone has no junk cameras or fields of view, as you’d hope for a something at this level.
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro’s maximum video resolution mode is also higher than the DJI Air 3S’s, at 6K compared to4K. That only counts for the 100MP wide camera, which can also capture 120fps slo-mo at 4K.
The rest of the cameras match the Air 3S, in resolution terms. You can shoot at up to 4K 120fps frames per second using the 70mm lens, for effectively 4x slo-mo. And the 168mm telephoto can hit 4K at 100fps.
Both drones can shoot inHDRat their maximum resolutions, but the lofty dynamic range claims for the Mavic 4 Pro are predictably slightly higher. DJI says footage can bring the equivalent of 14 stops in the Air 3S, or 16 stops in the Mavic, at least when using the wide camera.
4. Gimbal and Obstacle Detection
The drones use LiDAR to provide low-light obstacle detection.(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro: 360-degree gimbal, LiDAR
DJI Air 3S: 70-degree tilt gimbal, LiDAR
DJI thinks so much of the Mavic 4 Pro’s gimbal, it made it the center of the launch’s pre-teaser. “Spin your world” was the slogan.
Its rotational versatility is far greater than the DJI Air 3S’s, aside from in a basic pan where the movement actually reduces from +/- 27 degrees to +/-22 degrees.
Roll is the real eye-opener here. The Mavic 4 Pro gimbal can roll through -90 degrees to +450 degrees — significantly more than a full rotation. The +/- 50 degrees of the DJI Air 3S doesn’t come close.
Here are the numbers:
DJI Air 3S
Tilt – 135 to 70
Toll -50 ro 50
Pan -27 to 27
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Tilt – 165 to 160
Roll – 90 to 450
Pan -22 to 22
It may take some creative thinking to work out some non-gimmicky uses for that freedom of roll movement. But it also means the Mavic 4 Pro can shoot vertical video via gimbal rather than a crop, although the drone also has a crop-based software mode too.
Thanks to the massive resolution of the Mavic 4 Pro, this mode still supports 4K/60 shooting using the wide camera. The Air 3S, and the Mavic’s secondary lenses, tap out at 2.7K resolution in this cropped vertical mode.
At its launch in 2024, the DJI Air 3S represented a distinct generational improvement in object and environment sensing abilities, and that comes to the Mavic 4 Pro too.
Back in 2024, DJI talked up the omnidirectional sensing skills of the Air 3S, with pairs of virtual eyes dotted around the drone.
These work great in daylight, but both drones also have a front-facing LiDAR system that can “see” in the dark, as well as an IR sensor on the bottom to sense proximity to the ground. Decent low-light obstacle sensing matters when we’re dealing with camera sensors that can still achieve respectable image quality in relatively poor light conditions.
5. Flight speed and Transmission Range
OB4+ improves maximum theoretical range in the new Mavic.(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro: Up to 25m/s, OB4+
DJI Air 3S: Up to 21m/s, OB4
These two are not racing drones. But the Mavic 4 Pro is a little nipper than both the smaller Air 3S and its direct Mavic 3 Pro predecessor, in its fastest Sport mode.
Where the slower pair can reach 21m/s, around 47mph, the Mavic 4 Pro has been tested to hit 25m/s, 55mph.
The Air 3S and latest Mavic are a match on ascent speed, though, at 10m/s.
Transmission range to the controller increases too, thanks to an upgrade from DJI’s O4 standard to O4+. It’s rated for transmission of up to 30km in FCC territories (primarily the U.S. and Canada) or 15km in other areas. That’s based on zero obstruction or interference, so real world transmission range will be shorter.
This new standard does not up the frame rate or resolution of the live video feed, though, which is still capped at 1080/ 60p.
Wi-Fi standards have improved too. A jump from Wi-Fi 5 (ac) to Wi-Fi 6 (ax) means shorter-range data transmission speeds jump from 30MB/s to 80MB/s, when used with a compatible device.
5. Battery Life
(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro: Up to 51 minutes flight time, 240W charge support
DJI Air 3S: Up to 45 minutes flight time, 100W charge
Despite being larger and heavier than the Air 3S, DJI has managed to bring longer flight times to the Mavic 4 Pro. It is rated for 51 minutes of easy flight, which is six minutes more than the 45 mins of the Air 3S.
Hovering time is improved too, from 41 minutes in the Air 3S to 45 minutes.
There’s no magic to it. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro simply has a much higher capacity battery, of 95.3Wh up from 62.5Wh in the Air 3S. There’s not much scope for a larger battery in the Mavic — head even a fraction above 100Wh and you’ll have to seek special permission to take a battery aboard an airplane. That’s an additional headache no-one needs.
DJI also offsets the additional charge time of a higher-capacity battery by providing support for 240W charging — although that adapter does not come cheap. It can charge a single battery in 51 minutes according to DJI, or a trio in 90 minutes.
The DJI Air 3S’s cells support 100W charging, which takes 60 minutes. Or if you’re stuck with 65W charging, an Air 3S battery will take around 90 minutes, or a Mavic 4 Pro one just shy of two hours at around 115 minutes. With these high capacity cells you really start to appreciate a high-wattage power source.
Early verdict
(Image credit: DJI)
Does the average DJI Air 3S user need to get to eBay stat in order to prepare for a Mavic 4 Pro upgrade? Probably not, however the pricier model has significant benefits in a bunch of key areas without any hits to flight time or speed.
A larger wide angle camera sensor with higher resolution capture raises the ceiling on image quality. The extra-flexible gimbal frees up compositional potential too, including vertical shooting that doesn’t involve the usual drastic sensor crop.
168mm shooting in a drone may sound a tricky prospect but, just as we saw in the Mavic 3 Pro, it’s actually a useful additional tool for any drone shooter’s arsenal.
Increased size and weight aside, there’s no obvious reason to pick an Air 3S over a Mavic 4 Pro — if money is no object. However, more now than ever for many of us, money is rarely not a consideration. And the gulf here is, well, fairly substantial.
Nintendo Switch 2 will only support VRR using its built-in display
This was confirmed in a recent statement from Nintendo
It follows confusion about VRR support in docked mode
Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will only feature variable refresh rate (VRR) support on its built-in display.
This comes after the companyquietly removed mentions of VRR support in docked mode from its US and Canadasupport websites. It was subsequently removed from the equivalent European support websites.
“The system also supportsHDR, VRR, and frame rates up to 120 fps on compatible TVs,” the website previously stated. This was updated to read: “The system also supports HDR, VRR, and frame rates up to 120 fps on compatible TVs.”
We already know that VRR is supported on the console’s built-in screen, but this change left some potential purchasers wondering whether the system would in fact support VRR when it’s in the dock.
Nintendo has finally clarified the situation in a statement provided toNintendoLife. “Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode only,” the statement begins. “The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologise for the error.”
This could be bad news if you’ve already got your hands on one of thebest gaming TVsor monitors, many of which offer VRR support. The technology dynamically adjusts the screen’s refresh rate to match the frame rate of your games, reducing tearing and giving an overall impression of smoothness.
It’s supported by both thePlayStation 5andXbox Series XandSeries Sand has become a popular option for gamers with supported displays. In a title likeAssassin’s Creed Shadows, for example, we’ve found that enabling VRR leads to a much more pleasant experience.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025. BothUK pre-orders and US pre-orders are live now.
Google Wallet has added a new security feature to protect your data
Viewing anything in the app will require verification after three minutes
This previously only applied to making payments
Asdigital walletshave grown in popularity, it’s become more important than ever that their security is certifiably rock solid. After all, the last thing you need is for your credit card details or identity documents to fall into the wrong hands.
9to5Google
As spotted by9to5Google, theGoogle Walletapp has made an adjustment intended to protect your security. Previously, if you attempted to pay for something using Google Wallet and three minutes had passed since you first opened the app, you’d be prompted to verify your identity using biometric info (like a fingerprint or a facial scan) or entering your passcode. Now, once three minutes are up, you’ll have to verify yourself if you want to use the app at all – even just viewing its home screen.
This move protects anything stored in the Google Wallet app, including details of payment cards, tickets, identity documents, and more. It means that intruders won’t just be prevented from paying for things if they have unauthorized access to your device – they won’t be able to see anything in the app.
9to5Google noticed the change in version 25.18 of the Google Wallet app on bothGoogle PixelandSamsung smartphones. The outlet said that the feature appears to be in testing but has been seen more frequently over time.
It’s not the only security change that might be coming to Google Wallet. According to reports on Reddit, theWear OSversion of the app has been requiring some users to enter a PIN every time they make a contactless payment.One Reddit userwas apparently told by Google support that “this is one of the security measures that Google will be taking to protect your transactions and your account privacy,” suggesting that it could be an intentional feature (rather than a bug) that might soon roll out to other users.
These days, digital wallet apps are used to store much more than just payment cards. You can carry around pretty much your entire identity on your smartphone, with items as trivial as loyalty cards and day passes sitting alongside vital documents like drivers’ licenses and credit cards. That means it’s more important than ever that digital wallets keep their contents safe.
The wide variety of items that apps such as Google Wallet can store means you don’t just need protection from unauthorized users spending your hard-earned cash – you might not want them peeking at your identity documents either. With Google’s latest move, gaining access to that information could become harder for bad actors who have physical access to your device.
However, there seems to be a slight lapse in that the latest change only asks for verification after three minutes. We conducted a brief and informal survey of TechRadar’s writers who own Android phones, and only one reported that Google Wallet asked for authentication when the app was first opened.
Perhaps Google could improve its security further by requiring a PIN or biometric authentication when you first open Google Wallet, ensuring your cards are kept safe and secure no matter whether three minutes have passed or not.
With Nintendo’s new handheld, gamers might need to rely on a Switch capture card again. A Nintendo Today video suggests that the maximum video capture length will again be 30 seconds. A more powerful console hasn’t resulted in upgrades to gameplay recording.
Nintendo Switch 2 home menu (Nintendo of America, Nintendo Today! app)
BolsteredNintendo Switch 2 specsshould lead to improved performance in games. Unfortunately, some capabilities haven’t matured since the original handheld. A newNintendo Today videorevealed that video captures are still limited to 30 seconds. Among other drawbacks, the restriction makes creating gameplay guides for fellow players difficult.
The latest clip in the Nintendo Today app focused onHome Menusound effects. However, viewers also caught a glimpse of how gamers will capture screenshots and videos. From the brief help menu, it appears that the process is virtually identical to the experience on the Switch. To take a screenshot, gamers press the capture button on the Joy-Con. Holding the same button saves a clip of the last 30 seconds of gameplay. Then, players can shorten the video further before saving it in the Nintendo Switch Album.
Nintendo Switch 2 video recording guide (Image source: Nintendo of America, Nintendo Today! app)
Nintendo’s previous console continuously stores 30 seconds of video in the background. The process uses a ring buffer, which holds the data in the console’s RAM. Content creators would often turn to a Switch capture card to create longer videos. The length of the recordings was partially due to how Nintendo divided system resources. With the Switch 2 specs including a faster processor and more RAM/storage, some gamers hoped to avoid additional costs.
Recently, buyers learned that the Switch 2 would ship with 12 GB of LPDDR5 memory. That’s a massive improvement from the 4 GB of RAM the original handheld offers. On the other hand, the latest console devotes 3 GB of its memory to its OS. The obvious culprit isGameChat, which may take up much of the remaining memory. Video recording, another helpful feature for sharing gameplay experiences, will also have to compete for resources.
What’s unclear is the quality of the Switch 2 screenshots and video clips. It would lessen some disappointment if it’s higher than the first console’s 720p limit.
Just as you need a cabinet to store your physical files, a storage device is essential for keeping your digital ones, such as photos, videos, documents, and more. While cloud storage has become a popular and convenient option in recent times, external storage devices such as USB flash drives and hard drives offer unique advantages. But what exactly is the difference between a USB flash drive and a hard drive?
The most obvious difference between USB flash drives and external hard drives is their size. Flash drives are much more compact and can easily fit in your pocket. Plus, they plug directly into devices like computers, so you don’t need a separate cable. In contrast, while still portable, hard drives are about the size of a passport and noticeably heavier. They also require a separate cable, which adds to what you need to carry.
The size difference between USB flash drives and external hard drives is also reflected in their storage capacity. Hard drives typically offer much larger capacities, commonly 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and can go to even 20TB. USB flash drives, on the other hand, usually top out at around 1TB, though you can get higher capacity models like Transcend’s 2TB flash drive. The difference in storage capacity makes hard drives ideal for large backups, while flash drives are perfect for storing or transferring smaller files between your computers or even smartphones.
How do they compare in terms of speed and reliability?
External hard drives come in two main types: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). HDDs use moving parts like spinning platters and actuator arms to read and write data. In contrast, SSDs use flash memory, similar to what’s used in USB flash drives, which allows for faster performance due to the absence of moving parts. In other words, USB flash drives are generally quicker than traditional HDDs in terms of read and write speeds, but typically slower than SSDs. That said, the data transfer speeds of both USB flash drives and external drives can vary widely depending on the specific hardware and interface.
An important factor to consider when buying an external storage device is its lifespan. Since USB flash drives have no moving parts, they are more resistant to physical shocks such as drops or bumps. The same applies to SSDs, but HDDs are more fragile due to their internal mechanical components, making them more susceptible to damage from impact.
In general, HDDs have a lifespan of around three to five years, whereas SSDs can last up to seven years, though they have a limited number of write cycles. USB flash drives, when stored in ideal conditions and used moderately, can last up to 10 years or even more.
Which one is better, a flash drive or an external hard drive?
When it comes to pricing, USB flash drives are more affordable. SSDs, on the other hand, tend to be expensive, mainly due to their superior speed and higher performance. That said, HDDs are cheaper in terms of price per GB, which makes them more appealing for storing large files. Beyond storage capacity, the prices of these devices can vary widely depending on things like the brand, speed, and interface type.
All in all, both USB flash drives and external hard drives offer distinct advantages in terms of portability, storage capacity, performance, reliability, and cost. The right choice depends on how you plan to use the device. USB flash drives are compact, easy to carry, and durable, making them ideal for transferring data between devices. In contrast, external hard drives offer greater storage capacity and faster speeds if you opt for an SSD, which makes it better suited for backing up or storing large files.
You can pick between the two depending on your usage, price, and convenience. Regardless of which one you pick, it’s generally best to avoid buying used flash drives or external hard drives, as the potential risks often outweigh the savings.
Typically, you would use an HDMI cable to connect a streaming device, laptop, or gaming console to a single display. But what if you want to show that same content on multiple TVs or monitors? That’s where an HDMI splitter can help. It is a tiny device that takes input from a single source and delivers it to multiple displays simultaneously. It has a single HDMI input port and multiple HDMI output ports.
As you can imagine, HDMI splitters can be incredibly useful in certain situations. For instance, in a classroom where multiple TVs are needed, an HDMI splitter can display the same content across all screens from a single source. Similarly, if you’re setting up a multiplayer gaming station, an HDMI splitter can help provide each player a separate screen while receiving input from a single console. However, an HDMI splitter is not ideal for setting up dual monitors. That’s because it only duplicates content, meaning you’ll see the same thing on both the displays, rather than extending your desktop across two screens.
Make sure you don’t confuse an HDMI splitter with an HDMI switch. While a splitter sends a single input to multiple displays, an HDMI switch does the exact opposite. It lets you connect multiple input devices to a single display. This is especially useful when your TV or monitor only has a single HDMI port. Instead of constantly unplugging and reconnecting devices, you can connect them all via an HDMI switch and change inputs as needed.
How to use HDMI splitters and do they affect quality?
Using an HDMI splitter is fairly straightforward. You first need to connect your source device, be it your laptop, gaming console, or a streaming box, to the input port of the HDMI splitter. Then connect the TVs or monitors to the splitter’s output ports. If the HDMI splitter requires external power, plug in its power source. Finally, turn on the source device and all connected displays. You should now see the same content on all the screens.
Most HDMI splitters do not degrade audio or video quality, so you are unlikely to experience any drop in picture or sound quality. That said, you need to ensure that the splitter you use can handle the resolution and the screen refresh rate of your source device. For instance, even if you have mastered your 4K TV settings and want to play PS5 but the splitter only supports 1080p, you won’t be able to game in 4K.
The displays you use also matter. If you are using two TVs that support different resolutions, the HDMI splitter will default to the lower resolution on both screens. Similarly, you need to ensure that the HDMI splitter you’re using supports features like HDR and Dolby Atmos. Plus, the cables you use to connect your input and output devices also play a critical role. To ensure the best performance, you need to pick high-quality, compatible HDMI cables.
We’re already familiar with the paid upgrades, but there are also many Switch 1 games that are getting free upgrades for the Switch 2 on its launch day. Nintendo has now published the list of 12 titles, which include Mario, Pokémon and Zelda.
The Switch 2 will provide popular games from its predecessor with a free upgrade. (Image source: Nintendo)
In addition to the paidupgrade packsforThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, each costing $9.99, andKirbyand theLost LandandSuper Mario Party Jamboree, each costing $19.99, Nintendo is also optimizing popularSwitch 1titles free of charge for the Switch 2. The complete list includes 12 titles, all of which will be available for the console’s launch on June 5, 2025:
Pokémon™:
Pokémon CrimsonandPokémon Violetwill be graphically optimized for the Switch 2 and will have a higher frame rate for smoother gameplay.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxewill receive an upgrade for better graphics on the handheld and connected TVs.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furywill also be graphically enhanced, with HDR support and GameShare support, allowing four people to play Super Mario 3D World and two players to play Bowser’s Fury together (one Mario, one Bowser).Bowser’s Furywill also receive HDR support.
Super Mario Odysseewill be graphically enhanced, with HDR support and GameShare support, allowing two people to play simultaneously (one Mario, one Cappy).
Google has some new accessibility features to talk about(Image credit: Google)
Google has updates for Global Accessibility Awareness Day
The new features cover Android and Google Chrome
You can now ask Gemini questions about images on screen
We’ve already seen a bunch of updatesfor Apple productsin honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day this week, and now it’s Google’s turn – with four important upgrades on the way to Android and Chrome.
As per the officialblog post, the TalkBack screen reader feature in Android is getting some extra smarts, on top of the existing Gemini-powered functionality. The feature provides image descriptions for blind and low-vision users, even when no alt text is provided.
Now, you’ll be able to ask Gemini follow-up questions about the image that’s showing on screen – so if you need to know what color something is, or what else is showing in the picture, Gemini will be able to help out.
There’s also an update to Expressive Captions, which provides on-screen subtitles for anything with audio on your phone. Those subtitles will now reflect drawn on words, so you’ll be able to tell the difference between “no” and “noooooooooo”, Google says.
Page Zoom in Android can now zoom on text only(Image credit: Google)
We’ve got some accessibility improvements to talk about with Google Chrome, too. First up, scanned PDFs are getting Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which means you’ll be able to search for text inside them, and copy that text somewhere else.
For Chrome on Android, Page Zoom (above) is adding a feature to let you increase the size of text on pages, without affecting anything else (like images or layouts). To set up the feature, tap the three dots (top right) in a tab, thenSettings > Accessibility.
Google is also improving speech recognition technologies around the world, giving developers more resources for non-standard speech patterns and non-English languages, as part of its ongoingProject Euphoriainitiative.
Finally, a full suite of accessibility features are on the way to Google’s Bluebook app, which can be used as a testing platform. Upgrades for dictation and the screen reader tech should make the app more accessible than ever.
Google shines a light on Chromebook accessibility tools to help make classrooms more inclusive for everyone.
google
What you need to know
Google is putting the spotlight on how Chromebooks are making school way more accessible, especially for students with disabilities.
ChromeVox will soon turn audio captions into braille when connected to a braille display.
Natural-sounding “read aloud” voices are now built right in Chrome’s Reading Mode, which is great news for students with dyslexia or reading struggles.
Google is spotlighting howChromebooksare helping students with disabilities thrive in observance of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
In ablog post, Tricia Davis-Muffett, a senior director at Google for Education, shared how Google’s approach to accessibility on Chromebooks is making education more inclusive.
Some students can’t use a mouse or keyboard easily, Davis-Muffett noted. This is where Chromebook’s Face Control steps in, literally letting students navigate their devices with facial gestures such as head tilts and eyebrow raises instead of mouse clicks.
Googlerolled out this feature in January with ChromeOS 132, and it’s based on Android’s Project Gameface.
On top of this feature, the tech giant announced today that ChromeVox, the built-in screen reader for Chromebooks, is getting a nifty upgrade. Soon, when connected to a braille display, it’ll convert audio captions into braille.
That means students with visual impairments can independently read what’s on screen without waiting for anyone else to catch them up.
google
ChromeVox, Google’s built-in screen reader, was introduced in Chrome OS version 56.
Furthermore, for visually impaired students (and keyboard power users), Caret Browsing lets them move through a webpage using only their keyboard. It drops a blinking cursor on the page, like in a Word document, and it’s all arrow keys and tab navigation from there.
Google also highlights Chrome’s Reading Mode, touting that it now offers a “read aloud” feature with natural-sounding voices. This feature is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with dyslexia or other reading challenges. And because it’s baked right into Chromebooks, there’s no need for third-party software.
If you’re taking the SAT or AP exams on a Chromebook, the College Board’s Bluebook app now works hand-in-hand with ChromeOS accessibility features like Dictation and ChromeVox. This eliminates the need for separate testing accommodations.
The best part is that these tools aren’t tucked away or hidden behind premium paywalls since they’re baked into Chromebooks and ready to go from the first login. Google also highlights how partner apps from the Google for Education App Hub are building even more support on top of these features.
