Google makes it easier for visually impaired people to find things using their phones

Coinciding with World Accessibility Awareness Day, Google is highlighting a number of new accessibility features in its software and improvements to others that were already part of Android. The first is a significant upgrade to Android’s Lookout tool, which helps people who are blind or visually impaired get more information about their surroundings. Google leverages AI and adds the ability to Lookout to search for specific objects, including seats, bathrooms, and more, making for seven categories in total.

“As you move your camera around the room, Lookout will inform you of the direction and distance from the item,” wrote Eve Andersson, senior director of inclusion, equity and accessibility of products at Google, in the blog.

Android’s Look to Speak app lets users select pre-written, customizable phrases with their eyes, which are then read aloud by their device. Now the app benefits from a text-free mode, which Andersson says aims “to make communication more accessible in cases of cognitive differences, literacy issues and language barriers.”

Google’s blog post also reviews a handful of other accessibility efforts. For example, businesses can now indicate in their Google Maps profile that they support Auracast-enabled Bluetooth devices, which can receive audio from streaming devices in theaters, auditoriums, or gyms. Turn-by-turn voice guidance for Google Maps walking directions is also being expanded “to Android and iOS worldwide in all supported languages.”

The company redesigned its sound notifications, which can alert people to noises such as fire alarms, based on feedback it received. The onboarding process, sound event navigation, and the ability to record custom sounds have all been recently improved.

It’s always encouraging to see tech companies continually make progress when it comes to accessibility. Just yesterday, Apple announced a number of improvements to its software later this year, including a way to navigate iPhones and iPads with eye tracking.