Google’s Android updates are always a good leading indicator of what’s coming to the broader smartphone world (read: iOS). And it just dropped a big release with a series of updates that are relevant to local search. So we’ve assembled the highlights and quick analysis for Localogy Insider readers.
Here’s our take on the top 5 features in Google’s latest release…
1. Talk Back
Google’s new Talk Back feature, teased in May, is its version of a screen reader. It provides detailed audio descriptions of images that appear on a given page. Though it sounds like Google is utilizing image metadata like alt tags, it’s employing its Gemini Nano large language platform. It should work for any image that appears on the device, including products, news-article images, or camera-roll pictures. This is a good service to users but should also help Google exercise its muscles and refine its image recognition technology in Gemini Nano. That could pay all kinds of dividends for Google in its AI endeavors, and ongoing search engine evolution in the AI age.
2. Circle to Search
Speaking of image recognition, Google has expanded its Circle to Search feature. This lets users do an image search anywhere on their phone – not just the browser. More importantly, it lets you choose parts of images to query, by simply circling, highlighting, or tapping them. Its newest skill is to identify songs, a la Shazam. Users long-press the home button when a song is playing in earshot or on the phone (on YouTube for example). This creates fewer clicks to capture that song before it ends.
As background, this brings audio capability to Circle-to-Search which is otherwise a visual search play, that sits under Google Lens. The latter continues to be an opportune area for Google. Essentially, it lets you identify and contextualize any item you point your camera at, which is great for things like education and fashion discovery. Think of it like a reverse image search but more dynamic and utilitarian. And it helps Google widen its net for search query volume… which is the top of the funnel for Google’s ad business.
3. Listen to this Page
Elsewhere in Google’s recent feature drop, a “Listen to this page” feature lets users listen to web pages within the Chrome browser, such as news articles or recipes. This was a feature previously reserved for site owners to install plugins that let you listen rather than read – which provides optionality for users and accessibility for all. Like the above music feature, one of the benefits here is embedding the technology into the mobile operating system. That way it’s integrated and easy to activate, without the need for additional apps or plugins. This also indicates a pattern in Google’s latest feature drop: bringing more integrated multimedia to smartphones.
4. Earthquake Alerts
Deviating from the A/V features in this latest release, Android’s earthquake alert system has been updated. The feature is now expanding to all U.S. States, previously limited to California. It uses smartphone sensors to detect specific tremor patterns. The feature not only provides utility for users in giving them advance warning to duck and cover, but it creates a network of decentralized and crowdsourced devices to better capture those signals. And when it comes to “local” angles, it doesn’t get much more temporal and location-based than pinpointing the location, origin, and impact of a quake in progress.
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5. Offline Maps
Lastly, speaking of location, Android smartwatch users can now use offline maps. This is a lauded feature for users who leave their phones behind, find themselves without cell service, or travel internationally and want to avoid data roaming. Like offline maps in Android (and recently brought to Apple Maps), you essentially download a relevant segment of map data for use within a specific time period (think: a day of sightseeing in Paris). Best of all, though offline maps are… offline… you can still see your own dynamic location on the map, which applies inertial measurement and GPS. And viewing maps on your watch may make you look less like a tourist.
Coming soon to a phone near you…
So there you have it. All the above will be released gradually, as the features are mostly tied to the release of Android 15, which will roll out over the coming months. And as noted, these are features we could see soon in Google apps on iOS… or features that Apple itself decides to develop and integrate.
