Rumor: Google is expanding voice support for Android

Google is said to be planning to integrate voice control more deeply into Android. Among other things, it would become possible to operate applications via speech. At the same time, Google would like to adjust the buttons at the bottom of the Android interface.

That says Android Police, who are often the first to receive information about new features in the Android operating system. According to the site, Google is working on the ability to use voice control throughout the OS. For example, activating the voice control with ‘Ok Google’ should also work in applications. Android Police gives the example of the Photos app, where a photo can be shared on social networking sites using voice commands.

Users can choose to turn on voice control via ‘Ok Google’ everywhere. However, it is not yet clear whether this also means that there will be an api for developers to build their own voice commands for their applications. Google is said to be working on application-specific voice commands. Users should also see suggestions for voice commands when they say “Ok Google.” In the e-mail app, for example, the suggestion can be given to pronounce ‘send an e-mail reply’.

At the same time, Android Police reports that Google would like to adjust the buttons at the bottom of the Android interface. Images show that the home button has been replaced by a Google button that takes the user to a search screen. The user could then return to the home screen via the button for recently opened apps. Android Police states that they will discuss the information they have obtained about the new button layout in detail later, so that not all details are clear yet.