Known for its user-friendly operating system, ChromeOS is now getting an incredible AI-assisted accessibility boost that could make it even better. Soon, your Chromebook will be able to track your facial movements to control your mouse And keyboard.
Chromeunboxed notes that the new feature will be added under the accessibility options for the cursor and touchpad settings, which, when enabled, will allow you to control your cursor and keyboard with your facial movements.
The best Chromebooks are already praised for their simplicity and productivity, helping students and professionals power through the workday and deliver a streamlined computing experience.
While the idea of Google tracking your face may not give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, this new feature appears to be aimed at users who may have mobility limitations or prefer to work without the use of their hands, expanding the group of users who could benefit of these fast machines.
At this point, we’re not entirely sure how this will work – especially in terms of keyboard controls – but we’ll be eagerly awaiting official word from Google to see how exactly it all comes together.
In recent months, Google has put a lot of effort into introducing new accessibility features, first on Google Maps and now with this Chromebook OS update. The Google Maps update, on the other hand, brings a screen reader that made its debut on iOS last week and will arrive on Android phones in the coming months. It was created for users who are “blind or visually impaired” and is designed to get useful information such as the name of a location or how far they are from their destination.
Google’s continued commitment to adding more accessibility tools will allow millions of people to use their devices more efficiently and independently. However, if you’re looking for a broader solution, we recommend checking out TechRadar’s list of the best text-to-speech software for 2023 if you’re looking for other ways to help you navigate the web.