An Accessibility Win from Google for the World

There’s a party in Silicon Valley right now and yeah I’m feeling pretty left out sitting over here in Europe. Nonetheless, you know I’ve been keeping up with the party festivities.

What am I talking about?

Google i/O 2019. Naturally.

Every year Google hosts its mega event and drops some release bombs. This year we’re seeing a new smartphone with the highly competitive $399 price, dark theme along with added gestures for Android Q Beta, an incognito option for Google Maps and a Google Lens feature that stops 30 minute calculations (and hey maybe even confrontations) at the dinner table how much each person should pay and how much tip to leave.

But among all of these shake-ups one stood out above the rest: Live Caption

Live Caption for Android Q

This is a leading win for accessibility in tech. Google worked with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to bring captioning from the larger screens in your living room to the smaller screens in your back jean pocket.

Live Caption enables captioning to appear on any media on your phone. Whether you’re looking at a photo on your camera roll, video that your best friend sent you, song on a music app, or a podcast you’ve downloaded for offline use you’ll be able to turn on the captions.

It’s only one of many Google advancements that has been for the mission of worldwide inclusion. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing miss out on a lot of experiences that we, those with hearing, may take for granted in our daily lives.

Imagine turning on your TV screen and not be able to hear any dialogue. How would you know what’s going on in the thrilling Game of Thrones finale. You could only guess.

Imagine being on a video call with your mom who is a 12 hour flight away and not being able to hear a single word she says as she rambles on about how much she misses you and the casserole she burnt last night.

It’s about time captioning was available on mobile phones. More than half of the world owns a mobile device. 75% of video is watched on mobile. Live Caption brings the world a bit closer together by offering that indulgence in digital experiences for more people than less.

It’s not only for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

In a tear jerker of a promo, KR Liu says,

“When you design for disability you do design for everyone”

And that’s absolutely true. Live Caption was not only designed for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in mind, it was designed for everyone. It was made for those moments where you want to experience media but on mute as to not disturb your neighbors.

Reports have already been rolling in about the quality and effectiveness of Live Captions. The scores so far are a perfect 10. People are blown away by how well the feature works.

The impressive parts? Live Caption is real time and works without Wi-Fi or data connection.

Google’s Still Working

For now Live Caption is only available in English but I have no doubt that their team is working day and night to bring this capability to dozens more languages.

With this advancement, Google has truly become an example for technology that works for humanity.

Which announcement at Google i/O left the biggest impression on you?