Google is intent on staying level with Apple’s mobile device developments. iOS’ messaging app currently has several features that Android lacks, including the ability to automatically extract text such as phone numbers and addresses from your messages.
Tap to open in apps
According to a report from VentureBeat, Google is preparing a feature that will add this capability to Android. When you receive a message that contains actionable information, like an address or phone number, you’ll be able to tap on it to immediately open the corresponding app.
Directions to the address would appear in maps or the dialer could start a new call. It removes the need to copy and paste information between apps when you want more details on something sent in a text.
“Copy less” predicted text
Google is also working to cut down the copy-and-paste tendency of Android users in other ways. Another new feature, called “Copy Less,” will expand Android’s keyboard suggestions to include contextually relevant information. Using the existing power of Google Assistant, the keyboard will be able to deliver more precise suggestions based on what you’re talking about.
VentureBeat’s example shows how this would work when talking about going to a restaurant. Currently, typing “it’s at” in a message might yield predicted suggestions such as “home” and “work.” With Android 6.0, Assistant will chime in though, realising you’re talking about a specific destination and adding its actual address to the keyboard options.
Finger gestures
In a more major headline feature, Google is said to be working on a new interaction mechanism that will let you open apps and trigger actions by drawing gestures on the display. This is already a feature of many custom Android launchers but traditionally it’s been regarded as a niche system that’s infrequently used. Google could be planning to emphasise gestures with Android O, potentially making it easier to use phones one-handed.
If the report is accurate, you’ll be able to assign gestures such as drawing letters and numbers or tapping areas of the display to certain actions. You could open a specific app by swiping a line on the screen or jump straight to the camera by drawing a letter C. It’s currently not clear if Google will ever ship the feature. It may end up being dropped before Android O’s release.
O – Oreo or otherwise?
Google will announce Android O this summer at its I/O developers event. The company is likely to emphasise emerging areas of technology like virtual reality and digital assistance, continuing its work with last year’s Android N.
As details begin to leak out about the release’s new features, Google has already started teasing fans with potential sweet-themed names for the update. The current favourite is Oreo, seeing Google embark on its first licensed campaign since 2014’s KitKat.
