Rumors Indicate That Google Is Developing “Eyes-Free” Functionality

Rumors have been spreading for some time about Google expanding their search functionality and other actions beyond the Search app, by moving into other apps for device-wide search interaction and eventually app-specific functionality.

Now, further speculation and rumors indicate that Google is working on functionality for something known as KITT or “Android Eyes Free” internally.  This advancement would allow users to interact with Search without having to touch or even look at their device, thereby reducing their level of distraction immensely.  However, the release of this functionality has not been announced by Google and at this point there is no way to know when this could be available to the general public.  Regardless, the possibilities are creating a great deal of excitement.

In a general sense, the rumor suggests that Google will build in the type of functionality that is available in the Moto X to its own Search app.  Users would be able to activate Search from anywhere while utilizing an eyes-free interface that wouldn’t require them to look at their device even to receive the results of their search.

Specifically, users would be able to activate Search from anywhere using only their voice, even when the device is turned off, provided that it’s charging.  It is conceivable that devices with hardware that is capable of always-on listening won’t have this particular limitation, although this is not entirely certain.   Presumably, even if this limitation exists initially, devices with hardware capable of always-on listening will eventually be able to be accessed whether they are charging or not.

It is expected that Google will provide a simple and sparse interface to allow users to safely carry out searches and other actions while driving or biking, without unreasonable distraction.  Users will have the option of choosing between Bluetooth devices or headsets to activate Search, as well as being able to initiate actions by waving their hand over the device.  Notifications would be read out loud.

For instances where your query returns only web results as opposed to a spoken or immediately visual response, Google is working on the best approach.  One option would be choosing to store the results for a later time when the user is able to exit eyes-free mode and look at the results.  However, for results that already include voice feedback, Google will provide you with more detailed answers.  For example, when you’re in your car, instead of simply saying “here’s the weather in [location],” it will read out the card.

When Google is acting on your behalf, it will base its actions on its level of confidence, choosing to either take implicit confirmation after a short time of no user interference, or explicit confirmation such as requiring a positive response to the question, “do you want to send it?”.

Based on the limited information that is available about KITT, the concepts appear to be very impressive.  Apparently, Google eventually plans to provide a very friendly onboarding process, with a Google Now card that indicates the functionality and a simple set of screens explaining how it works.

Although none of this information is absolute, it won’t come as a surprise to anyone that Google is working on methods to allow users to keep their eyes and fingers off their phone when it’s important to avoid distractions.   However, the timeline for when this new functionality will be released remains anyone’s guess.