Google Android Update Gives You Voice Control Over Your Smartphone, Apps, Settings

A new beta app, Voice Access, is powered verbally and allows people to access their smartphones by simply giving out the commands.

For the fans, this is an attractive alternative to touchscreen-based app controls. Google, however, moves away from calling it simply an accessibility tool but as a working option for someone who has difficulties in using touch interface, such as someone suffering from paralysis or tremors.

Once the app has been installed into the system, items in settings and Homepage, each get assigned by a number. The user can direct the device to "Go Home" or ask to launch app numbered with a command, "Open One." The users can also ask the app to "open settings" and scroll down to a certain option.

The new app was announced by Google in company blogpost on Monday and asked people to be a part of its testing program. However, 24-hours later, the program is already teeming with people, possibly tech enthusiast Android fans.

"App developers can choose how many testers can participate in their testing program. Once the program is full, the testing version isn't available to more users," Google notes.

However, Google did tell a small amount of followers on Twitter about their Google Accessibility account with a clue about a beta trial last month.

A 2014 paper regarding an app similar to Voice Access, JustSpeak, with Google research contribution, analysed Google's automated speech-recognition ability to provide similar functionality.

The researchers studied its use for the blind, visually impaired people, but unexpectedly realized that it was also very helpful for people who had dexterity issues.