Google has introduced a bunch of updates to its suite of Android and ChromeOS merchandise, however an replace to Close by Share seems to be the star of the present.

Launched earlier this 12 months alongside Android 13, that is Google’s tackle Apple’s AirDrop function, which lets you ship recordsdata and media to different units, together with your individual.

For this new replace, it is permitting you to ship recordsdata routinely and not using a immediate, so in the event you’ve received a whole lot of photographs to ship directly for instance, it’s going to queue up and ship to the system you have picked with out you having to approve it time and again.

Nevertheless, Google additionally introduced extra updates (opens in new tab) that apply to accessibility, widgets and Google Meet.

Throughout the board updates

A brand new Google Drive widget now contains your Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets recordsdata in a single place, so you’ll be able to attain these with out having to enter the app.

There’s additionally a enjoyable function in Gboard, Google’s keyboard. You’ll be able to sort out a phrase, and when you choose ‘Emojify’, it’s going to translate the phrase into emojis.

Lastly, you can watch YouTube movies inside a Google Meet name, much like Apple’s SharePlay function that debuted in 2021. For those who’re in a name, you’ll be able to go to settings, choose ‘YouTube’, and you’ll choose any video you would like, which is able to begin enjoying for everybody within the name.

Nevertheless, the opposite standout to me is accessibility enhancements for Google’s working programs throughout the board, from Android to Google TV.

If a fireplace alarm rings, for instance, you may obtain a notification on Android about it, the place the flashlight in your system will gentle up, or a novel set of vibrations will happen to assist those that are listening to impaired.

Accessibility enhancements are additionally coming within the type of audio descriptions on Google TV, so for somebody who’s listening to impaired, there might be a set of subtitles stating precisely what is going on on throughout no matter it’s possible you’ll be watching.

These are all being rolled out within the coming weeks, and all are helpful options that would carry some enjoyable to the every day conferences at your office, or simply since you need to ship throughout some emoji for no motive to your companion. It is encouraging to see Google additional enhance its efforts with accessibility as properly, however there’s loads extra to be carried out on this space within the firm, particularly relating to wearOS and ChromeOS.