An incredibly awesome feature or a potential threat to users’ privacy?
We know that Google has been storing our voice data via its Google Assistant. But it didn’t allow users to interact with their Android device when the screen is locked. Well, it may sound like a potential threat to users’ privacy, some people think that this feature would be really cool. Anyhow, Google is currently testing it for a handful of users in select markets, so you don’t need to worry just right now.
It is also important to note that the majority of an Android phone’s functions, such as calling a person, are blocked until the holder unlocks the device. Though voice commands are a convenient and efficient way to perform tasks on Android device, Google and other assistants should also focus on striking a balance between privacy and providing features.
It appears like with this upcoming update, Google might loosen up on lock screen restrictions in the near future. As reported by 9to5Google, the staged roll-out of Google Assistant Beta app (version 10.28) is sending a text directly from the lock screen as part of Google’s A/B test.
The tech media outlet reports that on some of Pixel 3 running Android 9 Pie, Google Assistant lock screen texting is fully functional. Interestingly, the feature is not working for Google Pixel devices running Android Q, as 9to5Google notes that a tip they received regarding the phone’s feature in the lock-screen phase of Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 2XL revealed how the feature worked for a short period of time and then apparently pulled out by Google.
Meanwhile, it is also not clear at the moment, whether this update will be rolled-out widely or will it be released globally. But, one thing is certain. The update will be praised by users who actually want a complete hands-free Google Assistant for Android phones. As you are aware that Assistant is part of the Google apps in every Android-running device, so the lockscreen texting will not be specific to Pixel phones only, instead, it will likely work on every other Android device, depending on the availability timeline.
