LastPass began its winding path to support Android Oreo's autofill API in August, but the day is finally here: The popular password manager has pushed support for Oreo autofill to its stable, non-beta app. Accessibility-based autofill is still available for older apps (and Chrome) that don't yet support the new implementation.
Read MoreLastPass Beta updated with support for using both accessibility and Oreo autofill, plus fewer unneeded prompts
LastPass is how many of us choose to store our passwords, and the Android app is usually fast to support new Android features. If you want even faster access, there's the LastPass beta release. That one has just been updated with more robust autofill support—both accessibility-based and the new Oreo implementation at the same time. You should also get fewer autofill prompts when you don't need them.
Read MoreG Suite adds search within folders along with accessibility upgrades
Google has once again updated its G Suite office applications with some welcome new features, this time for search and accessibility.
In Google Drive, G Suite users can now search within specific folders. On the desktop, a right-click on a folder or selecting a folder from the drop-down menu will offer up a new option to search within that folder. I was frankly surprised that this didn't already exist in such a straightforward way, so I bet it will get a lot of use.
Read MoreLyft annouces a new partnership with Aira to make ridesharing easier for the visually impaired
Lyft's been on a roll this year when it comes to adding assistive technologies to its ridesharing app. Back in April, it was still playing catch-up with Uber by adding new features to help the hard of hearing. Now it's working together with Aira, a high-tech assistive service for the visually impaired, to help make grabbing a ride easier for everyone.
Read MoreGoogle pauses accessibility app ban while it considers 'responsible and innovative' uses of the accessibility services
Google started contacting developers last month with a bit of an ultimatum: make sure accessibility mode is only used to help disabled users or risk being banned from the Play Store. Android's accessibility services have been used for a great many things over the years, so this change in policy caught many developers off guard. However, Google is now notifying developers that it's pausing the ban as it looks into how apps can make "responsible and innovative" use of accessibility features.
Read MoreToast overlay being used by malicious Android apps to install additional malware
Recently, Google has notified developers of apps that use Accessibility features for purposes other than helping users with disabilities to cease using those APIs or otherwise unpublish their app. The impetus for this move appears to be existence of (now removed) apps in the Play Store which use Accessibility features in conjunction with a vulnerability patched as part of the September security update to install malware.
Read MoreGoogle will remove Play Store apps that use Accessibility Services for anything except helping disabled users
For years, Android has allowed apps to modify the behavior of other applications, using Accessibility Services. While the intended purpose is for developers to create apps for users with disabilities, the API is often used for other functionality (to overlay content, fill in text fields, etc.). LastPass, Button Mapper, Signal Spy, Tasker, and Greenify are just a few examples of applications heavily using this API.
Read More
Latest Google Text-to-speech update adds Filipino and Greek [APK Download]
Google Text-to-speech may not be the sexiest app out there, but it's a particularly useful one for many people, especially those who make use of accessibility options such as Talkback on Android phones. The last meaningful update to it came back in April (v3.11) with a few new languages (Bangla (India), Czech, Khmer, Nepali, Sinhala, and Ukrainian) as well as improvements to voices and better number processing.
The latest update brings the app up to version 3.13.3 and includes support for two more languages: Filipino and Greek. There's also a new setting for language detection on devices running Oreo and a few more improvements to how the voices sound.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Be My Eyes asks sighted volunteers to help visually impaired people
I often forget how easy things are for me because I can see the world around me and recognize objects and read words. But for those who are blind or partially visually impaired, simple tasks like knowing the expiry date on the milk carton can be very complicated.
That's where the Be My Eyes service comes into play. Already available on iOS, the app has landed on Android and connects sighted volunteers with visually impaired users who need help with something. It uses an audio-video call to share what the blind/visually impaired person is seeing and allow them to talk to the sighted person and ask them questions.
Read MoreAndroid O feature spotlight: Text-to-speech has an experimental always-on language detection option
Google's Text-to-speech (TTS) is an accessibility feature that's long been a part of Android. It's a screen reader that can read aloud anything currently on display, a vital utility for users who are blind or partially-sighted. TTS isn't updated very often, but when it is it's usually to add something meaningful. The last update added support for new languages, as well as pronunciation and intonation improvements. We've now been made aware that there's also an experimental always-on language detection switch, available to those using Android O.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
2
[Deal Alert] ASUS Chromebook Flip C213SA-YS02 with stylus down to $320 ($79 off)
-
0
[Deal Alert] Canary's 1080p indoor security camera is $99 on Amazon and Chewy ($70 off)
-
3
[Deal Alert] $50 off Amazon Fire HD 10, starting at $100
-
4
[Deal Alert] SanDisk 200GB microSD card drops to $55.99 on Amazon
-
5
[Deal Alert] Logitech Circle 2 combo pack (2 cameras and 1 window mount) for $260 ($90 off)
-
2
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
116
Hands-on with Google Tasks: Another beautiful but disjointed way to get things done with Google
-
26
Sony LF-S50G review: Novelty features don't redeem this expensive Google Assistant speaker
-
52
AmpliFi Mesh Point HD review: The benefits of a mesh system with your existing router
-
36
ASUS Zenfone Max Plus M1 review: A big battery alone does not a good phone make
-
11
Anker Nebula Capsule review: The best portable projector, but it'll cost you
-
116
Latest Roundups
-
5
22 new and notable Android games from the last week (4/18/18 - 4/24/18)
-
12
10 new and notable Android apps from the last week (4/17/18 - 4/23/18)
-
22
12 Fortnite-style games for Android you can play right now
-
4
17 new and notable (and 1 WTF) Android games from the last week (4/11/18 - 4/17/18)
-
2
15 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last two weeks (4/3/18 - 4/16/18)
-
5
Recent Apps and Games
-
7
Swiftkey updated with toolbar customization, beta gets new quick settings UI
-
7
Hi-Rez Studios' mobile MOBA 'Paladins Strike' is available worldwide
-
58
Gmail wish list: 10 features we (still) want
-
37
Google updates I/O app for 2018
-
17
Tencent is bringing 'Red Alert Online' to Android, but only in China
-
7
Blast from the Past
-
54
1 Year Ago Today
Google App 7.1 beta is testing a search bar in the notification panel and may begin showing pollen counts [APK Teardown]
-
18
2 Years Ago Today
Download: Android N Notification Sticker Sheet (For Sketch) To Quickly Mock Up Notifications
-
312
3 Years Ago Today
[Weekend Discussion] With Smartphones Getting So Big, Do You Still Want A Tablet?
-
154
4 Years Ago Today
[Weekend Poll] How Important Is Water-Resistance Going To Be In Your Next Smartphone Purchase?
-
14
5 Years Ago Today
HTC One US Developer Edition RUU And Full ROM ZIP Posted, ROM Addicts Breathe A Sigh Of Relief
-
87
6 Years Ago Today
Key Android Engineer Weighs In On Manufacturer Contributions To AOSP And Update Rollouts - You Might Be Surprised Who's On Top
-
10
7 Years Ago Today
Facebook For Android Updated To V1.5.4; Now Allows You To... Use Facebook Without Force Closes
-
7
8 Years Ago Today
Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S Now Available For Preorder In The UK
-
54
