Galaxy Unpacked | Google announces new Android features at Galaxy S20 event

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series finally became official today (February 11, 2020) at the Unpacked event. It set these 3 new phones, as well as the Galaxy Z Flip foldable device, in stone after tons of leaks and teasers. One of the latter came directly from Android itself, which hinted at new things to show off within this OS.

As it turns out, they relate to the new Live Caption function in Google Duo. This is an application of the Mountain View giant’s real-time transcription technology, so that 1 user of the video-calling app in question can read what is being said by another as they are saying it. This may be a boon to those with challenges such as hearing impairments.

Live Caption will start to roll out via the Galaxy S20 series on its release. Furthermore, Google and Samsung have co-ordinated to deliver how Android looks and works on the OEM’s new clamshell foldable. This (again) concerns Duo, in that the Z Flip’s display divides neatly between a call screen and the rest of the UI while this app is in use and the phone is in a kind of 'laptop' mode.

In addition, there is now a feature in YouTube by which this screen can likewise be split between video playback and other aspects of this app. Finally, Google’s spokesperson at the event, its senior vice president of platforms and ecosystems Hiroshi Lockheimer, also alluded to advanced 5G management in Android going forward.