Google has made significant strides in improving accessibility with the introduction of TalkBack 15.0. This update brings several enhancements, especially for users who rely on screen readers. While TalkBack 14.1 introduced basic image and icon descriptions, these were often undetailed and unreliable. TalkBack 15.0, however, offers a more refined experience with richer, more detailed descriptions and other usability improvements.
Enhanced Image Descriptions
TalkBack 15.0 introduces a major upgrade to image descriptions, leveraging generative AI to provide deeper and more nuanced insights. Unlike the offline-generated descriptions of previous versions, these new descriptions offer a richer understanding of the images on your screen.
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Key Improvements:
- More Detailed Descriptions: Images are now described with greater depth and accuracy, thanks to generative AI. When connected to a network, TalkBack uses server-side models to generate these detailed descriptions. For Pixel 9 series phones, users have the option to use on-device generative AI for automatic image descriptions.
- Online vs. Offline Descriptions: The new AI-based image descriptions are primarily generated online, providing quick results with minimal waiting time. However, TalkBack does not revert to older, offline, less detailed descriptions when an Internet connection is unavailable. For Pixel 9 series devices, on-device models can be downloaded for offline use, though this option is currently limited to these specific phones.
- Easy Access to Detailed Descriptions: You can easily access these enhanced descriptions by selecting the “Describe image” option from the TalkBack menu. If you’ve assigned a custom gesture to this function, you’ll be prompted to choose whether to use the detailed AI image descriptions. This feature can also be enabled through TalkBack settings, allowing you to switch between description modes based on your preferences.
How to Enable Detailed Descriptions:
- Open the TalkBack menu.
- Select “Describe image” to initiate the image description process.
- Or enable it via TalkBack Settings > Image and icon descriptions > Detailed image descriptions.
Improved Reading Experience
TalkBack 15.0 also enhances the reading experience with more control over punctuation and an improved reading feature.
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Punctuation Verbosity:
- Customization Options: You can now control the level of punctuation you hear when text is read aloud. Choose from:
- Some: Normal reading with punctuations intoned but not read out.
- Most: Common punctuations relevant for typing and editing are read aloud.
- All: All punctuations, even uncommon ones, are read aloud.
How to Adjust Punctuation Level:
- Tap the TalkBack menu with 3 fingers.
- Go to TalkBack Settings > Verbosity > Speak punctuation and symbols.
For quicker access, you can add “Speak punctuation and symbols” to your reading controls through TalkBack Settings > Customize menus > Customize reading controls.
Read from Focused Item:
This feature allows you to read from the currently focused item on your screen, an improvement over the previous “Read from next” feature.
How to Use It:
- Triple-tap with 2 fingers to start reading from the focused item.
- Tap once with 2 fingers to stop the speech.
- Tap again with 2 fingers to resume reading.
– To activate through the TalkBack menu, tap once with 3 fingers and select “Read from focused item.”
Enhanced Braille Support
TalkBack 15.0 also introduces new capabilities for Braille users, making text selection more intuitive whether using a Braille display or on-screen Braille keyboard.
Braille Keyboard:
Select Text from Start to Current Position:
- Press and hold dots 4 and 5.
- Swipe up with 2 fingers.
Select Text from Current Position to End:
- Press and hold dots 4 and 5.
- Swipe down with 2 fingers.
Braille Display:
- Select Text from Start to Current Position: Press Space with dots 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8
- Select Text from Current Position to End: Press Space with dots 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
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Conclusion
With these enhancements in TalkBack 15.0, Google continues to advance accessibility for users who are blind or visually impaired. The richer AI-driven image descriptions, improved reading controls, and enhanced Braille support are just a few examples of how TalkBack is becoming more powerful and user-friendly. These updates not only streamline everyday tasks but also enhance the overall user experience.