Motorola Moto X was a landmark device for more reasons than one. While the device firmly established that you do not need top of the end hardware specs for top user experience, it was the software on the device that was largely ignored and written off given it was pretty much Vanilla Android. However, the device was the first to bring in ‘OK Google’ command, which the phone was always listening to in order to help you search for anything you wanted without having to type in.
After Moto G, the feature has become an essential part of the Google Play Launcher, though the always listening part has remained with just the Moto X. The feature has been one of the most appreciated new add ons to Android in the recent past and looks like Google is keen to expand the feature across the entire OS. OK Google works only if you are on the home screen at the moment which has the search widget, but that may not remain the case for too long.
According to the screenshots by Android Police, Google is planning to make this feature ever present. So, no matter where you are on your smartphone, you would be able to search using your voice. The feature is expected to debut for now only on Nexus or GPE devices and follow on other devices later. Not just this, Google is also planning to bring a search button to the nav bar at the bottom, for easier search operation.
This is how the entire process will work, according to the post on Android Police:
“From an implementation perspective, our information indicates that Google plans to create and deploy new actions using a modular structure. To get an idea of what this means, think about telling Google to send an email. Google needs to know who you’re sending it to, what the body should contain, and what the subject is. Each of those parameters would be a module that could be unplugged and put into other actions. These pieces of code would evidently be able to snap together (metaphorically) to create new actions on Google’s side. Whether anyone besides Google would be able to create such actions is unclear.”
The new navigation bar sees, no home button and the only way to go Home seems to be using the back button. Even the multi-tasking button has been redesigned just like the back button. Recently, Google added the ability to take photographs by launching the camera app using voice, and therefore it is an educated guess that there might be some substance to this rumor than just your everyday run of the mill dismissal.
