Latest news with #AccessibilityReader
Techday NZ
13-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Apple unveils new accessibility features & nutrition labels
Apple has announced a range of new accessibility features set to be released later this year across its devices and services. One of the headline additions is Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will be introduced to the App Store. These new labels are designed to give users clearer information about an app's accessibility features, such as VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion and captions. The aim is to help users with disabilities determine if an app meets their needs before downloading it. "At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA. Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we're proud of the innovations we're sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them and do what they love." Tim Cook, Apple's Chief Executive Officer, commented on the company's ongoing commitment to inclusive technology. "Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products. Powered by the Apple ecosystem, these features work seamlessly together to bring users new ways to engage with the things they care about most." Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, added. Eric Bridges, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for the Blind, welcomed the App Store changes. "Accessibility Nutrition Labels are a huge step forward for accessibility. Consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start, and Apple has a long-standing history of delivering tools and technologies that allow developers to build experiences for everyone. 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." Magnifier, a tool previously available on iPhone and iPad for users who are blind or have low vision, will be made available on Mac. The Mac version can connect to cameras, including Continuity Camera on iPhone or USB cameras, enabling users to zoom in on their surroundings and read documents using Desk View. Multiple live session windows will be available, allowing new multitasking opportunities, such as viewing a presentation alongside reading a book. Users can customise visual settings, save captured views and take advantage of the new Accessibility Reader integration, which converts physical text into a legible on-screen format. Braille Access is another upcoming feature designed to turn iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro into comprehensive braille note takers. Users will be able to launch apps using Braille Screen Input, take notes in Braille format, perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, and open Braille Ready Format files. The system will also feature live captions transcribed directly on braille displays for conversations. Accessibility Reader will introduce a new systemwide reading mode to assist users with disabilities such as dyslexia or low vision. This tool will provide customisation options for font, colour and spacing, as well as support for spoken content. Accessibility Reader can be activated from any app and will be integrated with the Magnifier app to assist with reading physical text. Live Listen on Apple Watch is set to receive enhancements aimed at deaf or hard-of-hearing users. The Apple Watch will serve as a remote control for Live Listen sessions, and users will see real-time Live Captions of audio from their iPhone on the paired Apple Watch. The updated feature will allow control from a distance and the ability to replay parts of a session as needed. Live Listen will work with existing hearing health features on AirPods Pro 2. Other highlighted updates include easier personalisation of Background Sounds with new equaliser settings and automation options via Shortcuts, extended support for Personal Voice, including faster setup and support for Spanish (Mexico), Vehicle Motion Cues, which help reduce motion sickness, being expanded to Mac, and new customisation options being introduced throughout Apple's platforms. Assistive technologies will be broadened, including Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces, new Apple TV app options for Assistive Access and more developer support for tailored user experiences. Additional improvements will also be introduced for music haptics, name recognition in Sound Recognition, and enhanced Voice Control capabilities, such as a programming mode in Xcode and additional language support. Across accessibility initiatives, Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV will feature stories highlighting people with disabilities and accessibility advancements. The App Store is also curating apps that prioritise accessibility and publishing stories of developers who focus on accessible design. The company is developing educational resources, such as new videos on the Apple Support accessibility playlist, to help users customise devices for their needs. The Shortcuts app will add features for capturing information quickly, and new accessibility settings will enable users to temporarily share their preferred settings when borrowing another device or using public kiosks.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Apple announces Accessibility Nutrition Labels on App Store, Braille Access, and more new accessibility features coming to iPhone, Mac, and other devices later this year
Apple announced a suite of new accessibility features Tuesday that will roll out across its device ecosystem later this year, including first-ever Accessibility Nutrition Labels for the App Store and a Magnifier app for Mac to help users with visual impairments. The tech giant's announcement, made on the eve of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, includes innovative updates to Live Listen, Personal Voice, and visionOS, alongside entirely new features like Braille Access and Accessibility Reader that leverage Apple silicon and on-device machine learning. "At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we're proud of the innovations we're sharing this year." App Store gets Accessibility Nutrition Labels Among the most significant updates is the introduction of Accessibility Nutrition Labels on App Store product pages, providing detailed information about an app's accessibility features before download. These labels will highlight support for features like VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, and captions, giving users with disabilities more confidence in their app purchases. Eric Bridges, president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, called the labels "a huge step forward for accessibility," noting that "consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start." New tools for visual and hearing accessibility Apple is bringing its Magnifier app to Mac, connecting to cameras so users with low vision can zoom in on surroundings like screens or whiteboards. The app supports multiple live session windows for multitasking and customizable views for adjusting brightness, contrast, and color filters. For deaf and hard-of-hearing users, Live Listen controls and real-time Live Captions are coming to Apple Watch, allowing the watch to serve as a remote control for listening sessions. Personal Voice is becoming faster and more natural-sounding, requiring only 10 recorded phrases and less than a minute to create a voice, and will add support for Mexican Spanish. Braille Access and system-wide Reading Mode The new Braille Access feature will transform Apple devices into full-featured braille note takers, allowing users to open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. Users can take notes in braille format, perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, and open Braille Ready Format files directly. Accessibility Reader introduces a system-wide reading mode that makes text easier to read for users with dyslexia or low vision. Available across Apple's ecosystem, it offers extensive customization options for font, color, and spacing, with support for Spoken Content. Apple is also enhancing visionOS accessibility with updates to Zoom that let users magnify everything in view using Apple Vision Pro's main camera, and Live Recognition will use on-device machine learning to describe surroundings and read documents. The company is celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day with dedicated retail displays, special Today at Apple sessions, and curated content across Apple Music, Apple TV+, Books, Podcasts, and the App Store. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
