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Google Developing 'KITT' Functionality For Android?
Google is apparently developing a special mode for Android phones to be used when driving. Internally, the technology is apparently informally called "KITT" after the black Pontiac Trans Am from the television series Knight Rider. KITT is shown below with durable star David Hasselhoff (as Michael Knight).
(KITT and his friend Michael)
First, Google wants to allow Search to be activated from anywhere (using only your voice), including your home screen or apps, or even when the device is turned off so long as it's charging. It's unclear right now whether devices with hardware capable of always-on listening will suffer this limitation, though the requirement may be a stop-gap while battery use is optimized overall. In other words capable hardware may suffer this limitation when the functionality is first released, but would likely gain always-on listening without the need for charging later, once battery usage is sorted.Next is the car - outside of Gearhead, Google wants to provide a minimal, sparse interface for carrying out searches and other actions while driving, biking, or doing other things that require your concentration, in order to make things super easy while also avoiding any distraction. Users can choose to use Bluetooth devices or headsets to activate Search, but can also wave their hand over the device to initiate an interaction. The functionality would also read notifications aloud.
Read more about this rumored capability (rated as 9/10 in terms of reliability by the publisher) in Android Police.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/2/2014)
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