Google's incoming Android O software could include a new feature that makes copy and pasting a lot easier.
The firm is said to be testing a so-called 'copyless paste' feature on its Chrome app for Android that lets users paste copy between apps with a single tap.
It will be a faster alternative to the current method of tapping a word or phrase and waiting for it to be highlighted, moving the cursors into place and pressing 'copy'.
The copyless paste feature uses machine learning to predict what the user will want to copy from the screen, reports Android Authority. The update was spotted in the open source Chromium code depository where an example is given of how it could work.
"If you looked at a restaurant website and switched to the Maps app, the keyboard would offer the name of that restaurant as a suggestion to enter into the search bar," it explains.
In terms of privacy, the predictions are made locally and are not sent to Google. However, the Copyless Paste feature won't work when browsing with incognito mode.
Google appears to have begun work on the feature in February, reports Venture Beat which originally spotted the update, but Google has not yet responded to comment on the reported feature.
It's entirely possible copyless paste could land on both desktop Chrome and Android O. Details of any new software are likely to be unveiled at Google I/O on 17 May. The official name for Android O has yet to be announced, but the new operating system has already been released to developers.
Android O is designed to improve battery life and also includes picture-in-picture support along with a redesigned notification system.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
