Apple just announced huge accessibility upgrades for iPhone, Macs and more — 9 biggest new features
Apple is making its devices easier to use for those with impairments. The company announced many new accessibility features scheduled to arrive later this year for iPhone, Mac, Vision Pro and more. Some of the most interesting features are designed for those with vision impairments, but accessibility features are coming that are intended to benefit everyone.
In total, Apple revealed 20 new accessibility features. Here's the complete list of new features coming to Apple devices later this year:
This update will highlight accessibility features within apps and games on the App Store. While Apple can bake tons of accessibility features into the operating system, the company can't control what third-party app developers do with their apps. With this update, Apple can show users whether apps accommodate their specific needs.
"These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence," Eric Bridges, the president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, said.
Magnifier is one of the most popular accessibility features on iPhone and iPad, and it's coming to Mac now. Apple says the feature will "make the physical world more accessible for users with low vision."
It connects to the user's camera, including an iPhone with Continuity Camera or a USB camera, allowing them to zoom in on anything and see it on their Mac's display. This could be a game-changer for those with vision impairments, as a Mac has a larger screen to work with than a phone.
Apple is changing braille on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro. Users can open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. For blind Apple users, this could open up a world of technology independence not previously available.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
With the new feature, users can take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille. The feature will support Braille Ready Format (BRF) files directly in Braille Access.
Apple's new Accessibility Reader is a system-wide reading mode designed to simplify text for users with a wide range of disabilities. Apple specifically cites users with dyslexia or low vision as candidates to use the new feature.
The feature will let users customize text and focus on content they want to read with tweaks for font, color and spacing. It also adds support for Spoken Content. Apple says it can be launched from any app and is built into the Magnifier app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Apple is bringing Live Listen controls to Apple Watch with new features, including real-time Live Captions. An iPhone is still required to do the live captions, users can view the results on their Apple Watch, giving them an easy way to follow along with a conversation without holding their phone.
This is one of the more useful features for anyone who's hard-of-hearing or deaf. Apple cites that Live Listen sessions can be controlled from across the room, so there's no need to get up in the middle of a meeting or during class, which sounds more convenient.
This looks incredible, but it's only available to the relatively limited pool of Apple Vision Pro owners. With a new update to Zoom, you can use Apple Vision Pro to magnify anything in view.
VoiceOver is getting improvements, too. Live Recognition in visionOS uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents and perform other tasks. These features sound like something straight out of the future and might make the Vision Pro a worthwhile purchase for people with specific disabilities.
This feature is built for people who risk losing their ability to speak. It uses on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice so they can continue communicating with friends and loved ones.
If you use a Mac while on the road and deal with motion sickness, this feature provides animated dots on the screen to help reduce the feeling of motion. Besides the feature coming to Mac, Apple is also adding new customization options for the dots on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
This one is useful for people with vision impairments and anyone wanting to make their screen easier to read in the car. Like iPhone and iPad, which already have a large text option, you'll now be able to read more easily on CarPlay.
Another cool feature is an update to Sound Recognition that lets it hear the sound of a crying baby along with the previously supported sounds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
36 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Nothing's first pair of real headphones are coming soon — here's what we know so far
Nothing is back at it with a new hardware reveal in the Nothing Headphone (1), slated for official debut alongside its Phone (3) on July 1. Nothing CEO Carl Pei voiced his optimism about the forthcoming set of gadgets, citing the launch at the tail end of his speech at SXSW London on Thursday. It's likely to be the brand's first set of over-ear headphones, which have so far designed some of the best wireless earbuds. There's very little we know about the new Nothing Headphone (1), though Pei did confirm the naming. It fits with alternative Nothing-branded devices, such as the Nothing Ear (3) and Nothing (open). One thing you can expect is a ChatGPT integration as seen across Nothing's audio and smartphone lineup. We tried ChatGPT with the Nothing Ear to solid results, and it's cropped up on almost every release so far, so it would only make sense for it to debut on the Nothing Headphone (1), as well. You can also expect a competitive price. Nothing might be known for premium products, but it usually stamps them with a significant value proposition. Most Headphone (1) pricing rumors suggest around $400, which undercuts the new Sony WH1000-XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones by about $50. Another particular highlight for Nothing's brand is its design ethos. It loves its transparent technology and LED glyph lighting, made popular on its Nothing Ear (1) and Nothing Phone (1). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Mockups abound on what the Nothing Headphone (1) could inevitably look like. While mostly relegated to its smartphone side, it would be interesting to see Nothing's glyph design pop up on the Headphone (1), especially in reference to certain modes or features like ANC, incoming calls, or ChatGPT. The glyph integration could not only put Sony and Apple in their place, but mark it as one of the best headphones in terms of chic alone. Nothing recently announced an ongoing audio partnership with KEF, a high-end speaker and headphone maker, but reports suggest this most likely pertains to the Phone (3)'s internal speakers. We'll have to wait and see. More information about Nothing's first-ever pair of headphones is set to be unveiled on July 1 alongside the Phone (3) itself.
Engadget
36 minutes ago
- Engadget
The Sonos Era 300 is on sale for 20 percent off right now
Sonos is selling a bunch of its speakers at a discount on its own site and Amazon. This includes the well-regarded Era 300 smart speaker, which is down to just $359. That's 20 percent off and notable because this particular speaker rarely goes on sale. It's a Sonos miracle! The deal applies to both the black and white colorways. The Era 300 is a highly capable device that we praised in our official review, saying that it "sounds excellent." We went on to say that it offers a premium experience that far surpasses other products in the company's lineup, like the Era 100. This is also true when compared to rival speakers like Apple's HomePod. It's simple to set up and offers the company's proprietary Trueplay tuning system. This feature optimizes the sound of the speaker to the unique acoustics of a room by leveraging an internal microphone. It measures how sound reflects off surfaces and adjusts the EQ to match. It's pretty nifty. As for connectivity, it can pair with another Era 300 speaker for a true stereo experience. It also includes a Bluetooth receiver and line-in options. Of course, the speaker integrates with just about every streaming music service. The built-in mic also allows for voice assistant control, but only with Siri and Alexa. Google Assistant is left out of the party. This speaker goes all-in on spatial audio, and the results are mixed. Sometimes it's sublime and sometimes it's kind of eh. This is more of a dig on the technology itself. It has serious potential but is still experiencing growing pains. The only real downside of this speaker is the exorbitant asking price, which has been slightly alleviated by this sale. As previously mentioned, other Sonos products are available at a discount. This includes the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar, which is 26 percent off at $369. These deals are available via Sonos itself. There's also an ongoing sale on portable speakers that includes the Move 2 and the Roam 2. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice .
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Vectorworks Launches New AI Assistant (Preview) Built for Designers
Built-In AI Guide Created to Accelerate Learning, Enhance Productivity, and Support Smarter Design Workflows. COLUMBIA, Md., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks, Inc., part of the Nemetschek Group, has announced the availability of its AI Assistant (Preview), an innovative new tool designed to give users instant and accurate answers to their Vectorworks-related questions. As a preview feature in the release of Vectorworks 2025 Update 5, the AI Assistant (Preview) marks the first phase of integrating AI learning technology into Vectorworks software, with the long-term goal of providing more intelligent, personalized, and time-saving solutions to designers. Built for Vectorworks Users, by Vectorworks Experts Available through the Help menu and the Vectorworks Home Screen, the built-in AI assistant is designed to give customers quick, context-aware answers to their questions, allowing them to stay focused on their creative work. Whether users need to learn new features or simply seek guidance, the AI Assistant (Preview) delivers fast, reliable support by drawing from official Vectorworks content and resources. With built-in feedback tools and continuous updates, AI Assistant (Preview) becomes increasingly smarter and more personalized with each interaction, evolving the more it's used. The AI Assistant (Preview) is more than just a chatbot. It offers: Confidence Scores – Communicates how reliable each answer is. Language Localization – Automatically adjusts based on browser settings. Built-in Feedback – Users can rate responses and contribute to the tool's improvement. Resource Integration – Direct links to Vectorworks Help and Vectorworks University for deeper learning. "The AI Assistant (Preview) is your partner in learning and productivity and is a significant advancement in the Vectorworks experience," said Vectorworks Vice President of Product Management Vlado Stanev. "It's an intelligent tool designed to meet designers at their level, whether they're new to the software or seasoned pros. This is just the beginning of our vision for how AI can support our users." A Preview of What's to Come The AI Assistant (Preview) represents the first phase of Vectorworks' AI learning integration, laying the foundation for deeper AI integration across the platform. Future plans include leveraging the Nemetschek AI Layer to deliver even smarter, more efficient, and increasingly adaptive solutions to address designers' evolving needs and unique design workflows. The AI Assistant (Preview) is available to users with the release of Vectorworks 2025 Update 5. To install the update, select "Check for Updates" from the Vectorworks menu (Mac) or the Help menu (Windows). Experience Vectorworks for yourself and explore the capabilities of your new learning partner, the AI Assistant (Preview), with a free 7-day trial of Vectorworks Design Suite. To learn more about the future of Vectorworks, explore the Public Roadmap. About Vectorworks, Inc. Vectorworks, Inc. is an award-winning design and BIM software provider serving the architecture, landscape architecture and design, and entertainment industries in 85 countries. Professionals worldwide are using Vectorworks on Mac and Windows to create, connect, and influence the next generation of design. Built with designers in mind since 1985, Vectorworks software offers you the freedom to follow your imagination wherever it leads you. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, with offices in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan, Vectorworks is a part of the Nemetschek Group. Learn how you can design without limits at or follow @Vectorworks. Media Contact Kamica Price, Vectorworks, Inc., 443-542-0606, kprice@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Vectorworks, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
