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On September 4, 2024
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This new Gemini feature won't be available on Samsung devices
To make Android more accessible to people with vision problems, Google created TalkBack, a screen reader service. Earlier today, the company announced an update to TalkBack that leverages its Gemini AI model to generate descriptions of images shown on screen. What Google didn't mention in its announcement is the fact that this feature won't be available on all Android devices -- namely, those from Samsung. TalkBack is part of the Android Accessibility Suite app, which is preloaded on most Android devices that bundle Google Mobile Services (GMS). However, it isn't preloaded on Samsung Galaxy devices that run One UI, Samsung's fork of Android. The reason why is because Samsung preloads its own suite of accessibility tools, which includes its own custom TalkBack service. Google lets OEMs skip out on preloading the Android Accessibility Suite so long as they include specific accessibility tools (like a screen reader) that meet certain criteria.
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Google's new Gemini-powered TalkBack won't be coming to Samsung's One UI
ChatGPT may soon get eight new voices: Here's your first listen Google TalkBack is a fantastic feature built into Android that can provide those with visual impairments, an easier way to navigate menus and other areas seamlessly without having a clear view of the display. Of course, TalkBack is just the type of feature that would benefit from some AI, and Google has announced its plans to leverage the power of Gemini in order to bolster the feature and provide audio descriptions for images without the need for embedded alt text. Related How to turn on Samsung's TalkBack feature Operate your Galaxy device with touch and audio feedback As you can imagine, this is a huge deal, especially for folks that rely on the feature every day. With that said, this latest update to TalkBack is unfortunately not going to find its way to all Android devices. Most notably, it won't be found on any of Samsung's Galaxy devices, despite the brand offering its own version of TalkBack. This was confirmed by Android Authority, reporting that this is going to be the case for now since Samsung uses its own custom set of accessibility tools that's unrelated to the Android Accessibility Suite that's included with some devices by default. Will Samsung's TalkBack get an Galaxy AI update? Samsung has been making strides with AI since earlier this year when it unveiled Galaxy AI with the release of the Galaxy S24 series. Galaxy AI brings a wide range of interesting and useful features, like Circle to Search, Interpreter mode, Instant Slow-Mo, Generative Edit, and more. These and more features have slowly been rolled out to other Galaxy phones as well, like the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. But it's unclear what the future holds when it comes to TalkBack on Galaxy for now. While Android's default experience is handled by Google, with updates through the Play Store, Samsung's version is handled by the brand itself, and the updates come through its own Galaxy Store. Those that want to try to install Google's Android Accessibility Suite on their Galaxy device to gain access will unfortunately be met with some disappointment, as it is apparently not even possible. Android Authority's Mishaal Rahman shares that "Samsung's TalkBack service overrides Google's" which means you won't be able to get both working on Galaxy smartphones. As far as why this is the case, Rahman hypothesizes that this is done in order to avoid having two different TalkBack versions in the Settings menu. So for now, the new TalkBack feature won't be found on any of Samsung's devices. But that doesn't mean that the brand can't update its own version to include image descriptions using AI in the future. But if you have a different device and want to give Google's new TalkBack feature a try, be sure to download the new Android Accessibility Suite update.
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Samsung's new TalkBack AI image description feature, powered by Google's Gemini, is causing confusion among users. The feature is not available on all Samsung devices, leading to questions about its implementation and availability.
Samsung has recently introduced an AI-powered image description feature to its TalkBack accessibility service, sparking interest and confusion among users. This new capability, which utilizes Google's Gemini AI model, aims to enhance the smartphone experience for visually impaired users by providing detailed descriptions of on-screen images 1.
The integration of Google's Gemini AI into Samsung's TalkBack feature marks a significant advancement in accessibility technology. Gemini, known for its sophisticated language understanding and generation capabilities, enables the system to offer more accurate and contextual descriptions of images, potentially revolutionizing how visually impaired users interact with their devices 1.
Despite the excitement surrounding this feature, its rollout has been met with some confusion. Many Samsung users have reported that the AI-powered image descriptions are not available on their devices, leading to questions about the feature's implementation and availability 2.
It appears that the Gemini-powered TalkBack feature is not universally available across all Samsung devices. Reports suggest that the feature may be limited to certain models or software versions, causing frustration among users who were eager to experience the enhanced accessibility option 2.
The collaboration between Samsung and Google on this feature raises questions about the future of AI integration in Android devices. While Google's Gemini powers the image description capability, it's unclear whether this feature will remain exclusive to Samsung or if it will eventually be made available to other Android manufacturers 1 2.
As news of the AI-powered TalkBack feature spreads, user expectations are high. Many are eager to experience the improved accessibility options, while others express disappointment over the limited availability. This situation highlights the growing demand for advanced AI features in mobile devices and the challenges manufacturers face in meeting these expectations 2.
The introduction of AI-powered image descriptions in TalkBack represents a significant step forward in making smartphones more accessible to visually impaired users. As the technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to greatly enhance the digital experience for millions of users worldwide, provided that compatibility and availability issues are addressed 1 2.
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