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Google recently added some powerful new features to its cloud-based office suite aiming at making the applications more appealing in the classroom.
Goggle Docs word processor now supports voice recognition technology via a new feature named Voice Typing, so you can now basically dictate your computer what you want to write and the systems transforms your spoken words into a written document on the go.
Unfortunately the feature is not set in place yet for Android. It can only be accessed by desktop users who use Google’s Chrome browser.
Voice Typing doesn’t forget about proper punctuation, but it cannot tell what punctuation mark should go where unless you tell it to. For instance, you need to utter “comma” to end a phrase, and a “new paragraph” instead of pressing the enter key.
Although the feature targets people that want to dictate their way into a document rather tan typing it from zero, Google developers explained that it can also be used in meetings to take notes.
The update comes with support in nearly 40 languages, just like other Google services that use voice recognition technology are.
Additionally, there’s another new feature in Google Docs called ‘Research’ that allows Android users to hunt for content on the Internet and insert it into their work. This can be done without having to minimize the word processor application and switching to browser. It can be done within the document. This feature may prove extremely useful to students with Android tablets in a classroom when taking notes or editing a document.
Nevertheless, the new function is safe to use when searching for images because it has SafeSearch on by default. That’s because the feature is especially designed for students. Moreover, only the images tagged as “licensed for reuse” will show up in search results. It is the exact strategy Microsoft employed in its Bing image search feature from its office suite.
Google Doc has even a new button called “See New Changes” that also desktop users to see what changes their peers made to a document that they shared with. Changes would appear highlighted in various colors depending on the person that made them. You can see changes by simply scrolling down or using the arrows key to navigate within the document.
The feature is enabled by default and tracks changes in real time without having to instruct the word processor first to do so.
Image Source: Flickr
