Welcome to the January 2025 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, your monthly digest of the latest and most notable content on the AppleVis website. This edition features a curated selection of community-submitted content, including new app entries; updates; news; podcasts; and popular discussions.
New and Noteworthy App Entries
Eter: Streaming Internet Radio (iOS, Free with In-App Purchases)
Eter Radio is an app for listening to Internet radio stations. Eter Radio is available in a universal version for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS.
Eter Radio uses the publicly available radio-browser.info database, which contains a collection of free and publicly available Internet radio stations.
Eter for iOS, iPadOS and macOS offers a hand-crafted list of recommended stations and the ability to search radio-browser.info for other radio stations. To be able to add them to your list, you must unlock the program with a one-time In-App Purchase. (The price in the App Store may vary depending on the country and the local currency rate).
Use Eter for free to listen as long as you like to any station you like (in the radio-browser database) on any Apple device, including in your car with CarPlay.
Current Version: 2.2.2 (November 7, 2024)
Eter's AppleVis iOS App Directory entry Eter's App Store page
Pipilo (iOS, Free with In-App Purchases)
Pipilo is a unique Fediverse app that lets you browse posts on a horizontally scrolling timeline. Each post is displayed within the context of its conversation with replies from people you follow. This results in an elegant, distraction-free interface, making it easy to follow various conversation threads.
Pipilo works with Mastodon, Pixelfed, Pleroma, Akkoma, Friendica, Firefish, Catodon, Iceshrimp, and GoToSocial.
Current Version: 1.3.2 (November 20, 2024)
Pipilo's AppleVis iOS App Directory entry Pipilo's App Store page
All recent app entries posted to AppleVis can be found at:
iOS/iPadOS
Mac
Apple Watch
Apple TV
Notable App Updates
Azmar Quest (Old School RPG) (iOS, Free with In-App Purchases)
Azmar Quest (Old School RPG) is a text based RPG adventure with turn based strategy battles. Playable offline (single player Story) or online (for PvP and Dungeons)
Azmar Quest is a text based RPG adventure with turn based strategy battles. It's an Old School RPG set in a fantasy world called Azmar, where the danger is around the corner.
You can play Azmar Quest offline (single player Story) or online (for PvP and Dungeons).
Main Features:
- Single Player RPG story (playable offline too)
- Turn based battles.
- PvP battles (1v1 and 2v2) and Co-op Dungeons (online)
Gameplay:
- Choose 1 of the 4 hero classes available: Warrior, Cleric, Witch or Archer, each with their own strategy.
- 24 unique skills per class, 4 armor slots and 4 potion slots to create your build and enhance your Hero.
- Follow Azmar's story in a text based RPG adventure, make choices that matter, fight 100+ unique enemies in turn based battles, and reach level 30!
The single player story should last at least 20+ hours.
Does the game have anything else to offer? Of course it does!
- Face new single player challenges and quests every day, or fight in the 2v2 Arena with an AI companion, and reach Mastery 100!
- Play online in Dungeons and 2v2 battles, or play 1v1 rated battles, and reach rank 1000 in PvP!
Current Version: 1.3.16 (January 12, 2025)
App Store Release Notes for Version 1.3.16
- Fixed the double-attack PvP exploit.
- Fixed sporadic issues with Dungeons getting stuck, or the party being split, while using VoiceOver.
- Fixed friendly duels not working anymore after 1 duel.
- When you get a new Wanted enemy, you'll always get one you haven't beaten on extreme difficulty first.
- Treasures not consumed by Master of Locks will always be restored as opened.
- Improved the UI of the Boosts section in the Shop. Also, the filter has been removed in favor of clear and distinct sections.
- Some text corrections.
Azmar Quest's AppleVis iOS App Directory entry Azmar Quest's App Store page
BookPlayer
A wonderful player for your M4B/M4A/MP3/FLAC based audiobooks.
Import
- Using AirDrop from your Mac or iOS device
- From Files and other apps on your device
- Via File Sharing in iTunes on your Mac or PC
- From your own Jellyfin server
- Zip files with your folders and books
Manage
- Maintain and see progress of your books– Mark books as finished
- Drag & Drop to sort your library
- Create playlists
- Automatically play items in turn
- Play the first unfinished file by tapping on the playlist artwork
- Move files to playlists from the library or import them directly
- Edit your book details (title, author, artwork)
Listen
- Control audio playback from the lock screen, control center or from the companion app on the Apple Watch
- Play and navigate books with Chapters
- Jump to start of the current book
- Change playback speed
- Smart rewind
- Volume Boost
- Support for remote events from headset buttons and the lock screen
- Sleep timer with adjustable duration
- CarPlay support
- VoiceOver support
- Dark mode for night owls
- Continue listening across your devices with Cloud Sync, including stand alone playback on your Apple Watch
Supported
M4B/M4A/MP3
Current Version: 5.5.2 (January 4, 2025)
App Store Release Notes for Version 5.5.2
Improvements
- Add global speed control to the Watch app
- Polish VoiceOver navigation and labels for the Watch app
Bugfixes
- Fix scrolling in the login view, so the Sign in with Apple is actionable in the Watch app for small screens
- Fix translations used in the Watch app
Don't forget to check out what we introduced in the previous version:
Improvements
- Add stand-alone playback for the Apple Watch for existing subscribers
- Add support for importing books from your own Jellyfin server (thanks @lysanntranvouez!)
If you'd like to contribute with translations to other languages, please reach us at support@bookplayer.app
BookPlayer's AppleVis iOS App Directory entry BookPlayer's App Store page
Dolphin EasyReader (iOS, Free with In-App Purchases)
EasyReader offers convenient access to your favourite accessible book libraries and talking newspaper stands, in one place.
Neurodivergent readers – especially readers who have dyslexia – can customise their reading experience with dyslexia-friendly fonts, adjustable colour schemes and word highlights that synchronise with audio.
Designed for accessibility, EasyReader enables blind and partially sighted readers to read with magnified text, audio, or a combination of both - where each word is highlighted on screen as it’s read aloud. It also links to braille displays for braille readers.
EasyReader is compatible with VoiceOver and supported braille displays.
Current Version: 11.05 (January 13, 2025)
App Store Release Notes for Version 11.05
- Login Improvements: For libraries including RNIB Libraries, Bookshare, Google Classroom and MS Education.
- Enhanced Copy Protection: Books in Tibi (Norway) are now protected with Dolphin DRM, to ensure text and audio books cannot be copied outside EasyReader
- France Éole Library: More book types available to download
- Help: Now available in Norwegian
- Additional Improvements: Enhancements and fixes for RNIB Bookshare, MathML, SVG images and more
- Language Updates: App text available in most languages
EasyReader's AppleVis iOS App Directory entry EasyReader's App Store page
Recent News and Views
Announcing the Winners of the 2024 AppleVis Golden Apples and David Goodwin Award
By AppleVis | January 2, 2025
AppleVis and Be My Eyes are pleased to announce the winners of the 13th annual AppleVis Golden Apple Awards and the inaugural David Goodwin Award.
Since their launch in 2012, the AppleVis Golden Apple Awards have afforded blind, DeafBlind, and low vision users of Apple products an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication which developers have put into making and maintaining great and accessible applications over the given year. Launched in 2024 as a part of our exciting partnership with Be My Eyes, the David Goodwin Award recognizes a developer who has made an outstanding and lasting impact for people who are blind, DeafBlind, or who have low vision over a minimum of the last three (3) years.
Read More: "Announcing the Winners of the 2024 AppleVis Golden Apples and David Goodwin Award"
Apple Releases watchOS 11.3; Bringing a Fix for VoiceOver Volume Issues and New Unity Rhythm Watch Face
By AppleVis | January 27, 2025
Apple has today released watchOS 11.3 to the public; bringing a fix to the volume issues introduced in iOS 11.2 and introducing a new Unity Rhythm watch face to honor Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month in the U.S.
For VoiceOver users, our testing suggests that the volume issues we identified in watchOS 11.2 have been resolved in watchOS 11.3. While we are disappointed that a fix for such a serious bug took over a month to be released to the public, we are pleased to report that the issue is now resolved.
In addition to resolving the aforementioned issues with fluctuation in volume levels, Apple has changed the name of the 'Volume' Rotor to 'Speech Volume'.
Apple Releases iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3; Bringing Changes to Apple Intelligence and Bug Fixes
Apple has today released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 to the public; bringing changes to notification summaries on Apple Intelligence-capable devices and several bug fixes. It was also reported previously that this update enables Apple Intelligence automatically on supported devices. It can be disabled if you wish after installation by going to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and toggling the "Apple Intelligence" switch off.
In our testing of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, we did not identify any changes that specifically affect the experience for blind, deaf blind, or low vision users. If you notice any changes in iOS 18.3 or iPadOS 18.3, please do let us know by posting a comment.
Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.3, tvOS 18.3, and HomePod Software 18.3
By AppleVis | January 27, 2025
Apple has today released macOS Sequoia 15.3, tvOS 18.3, and HomePod software 18.3 to the public.
As with iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3 includes changes to notification summaries on Apple Intelligence-capable Macs and various bug fixes. In addition, this update brings Genmoji, first introduced with the releases of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, to macOS.
Also like iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, it was previously reported that macOS Sequoia 15.3 enables Apple Intelligence automatically on supported Macs. It can be disabled if you wish after installation by going to System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and toggling the "Apple Intelligence" switch off.
The only accessibility change we identified in our testing of this release is a new sound that VoiceOver plays when selecting text or using Writing tools. In addition, while it is not something we were able to test, community reports indicate that reliability of VoiceOver's "Go to linked item" command is improved.
Read More: "Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.3, tvOS 18.3, and HomePod Software 18.3"
This Month in Podcasts
How to Get Weather Information in your Mac's Menu Bar (No Third-Party App Needed)
In this episode, Tyler demonstrates how to get weather information in your Mac's menu bar, useful if you, for example, want to be able to quickly access such information but don't want to deal with widgets or the Weather app.
To add weather information to your Mac's menu bar, go to System Settings > Control Center, and choose "Show in menu bar" from the "Weather" popup menu. The temperature for your current location, if the Weather app has previously been granted access to it, should then appear in the status menus. Clicking the temperature should reveal a dialog with the current temperature, other applicable information about current conditions, an "Hourly forecast" group showing the expected conditions for the next four hours, and a button to open the Weather app.
Listen to "How to Get Weather Information in your Mac's Menu Bar (No Third-Party App Needed)"
Quick Tip: Sending Messenger Messages Hands-Free with Siri on iOS
In this episode, Jessica Dale demonstrates how to send Messenger messages using Siri on iOS and iPadOS.
To set this up, go to Settings > Apps > Messenger > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and toggle the "Use with Siri requests" switch on. To send a message, engage Siri and say something like "Use Messenger to message [person]." Siri should then prompt you for the contents of the message and then offer to send it, as it does when sending a message using the built-in Messages app.
Listen to "Quick Tip: Sending Messenger Messages Hands-Free with Siri on iOS"
Apple Crunch December 2024: The Air Flop and the Return of the Bend Gate
In this edition of Apple Crunch, Thomas Domville, John Gassman, and Marty Sobo discuss recent Apple news and other topics of interest.
Chapters:
- Introduction
- Results of the AppleVis Golden Apples Award for 2024
- Apple iOS 18.2 Goes Public
- Let's Talk Apple Hardware Rumors for Spring
- Let's Talk Apple Hardware Rumors for Fall
- Closing
Listen to "Apple Crunch December 2024: The Air Flop and the Return of the Bend Gate"
Trending Topics
Below is a selection of questions and other forum topics posted on AppleVis during January 2025:
- How do you handle interactive voice response systems
- Having trouble with different focus modes, and setting them up
- Instagram mutes all videos by default.
- App switcher on Apple Watch
- Ripping CDs on Mac.
- Reading bookx with Kindle app in braille
- Secondary voiceover gestures on watch?
- Call for beta testers
- VoiceOver cotting out the begining of sentences
- Text Checker is Unresponsive in large amounts of text
- Notification centre on Mac annoying me
- Google Slides with VoiceOver on iPad
- What is everybody’s favorite iPhone case?
- Reading letter by letter when we are browsing
- podcasting to Youtube with iPhone and Mac.
- Blind/Low-Vision Gaming Platform
- How to merge free space into the previous partition?
- VOCR not working in latest MacOS
- Learning braille with tech
- experience with Bard mobile
- What scanning/OCR apps do we like?
- Accessible Alternatives to Jira
- Sticking with Mac: What Keeps You Loyal?
- Questions and setup of iPhone 16 pro-max
- Jump to certain folder in save as dialog
- Accessible video editing apps?
- Mac OS Sequoia Issues
- Typing braille directly on a keyboard
- Using Siri to get exact address to the question "Where am I?"
- Looking for firewatch applications due to the recent fires in Southern California
- Be My Eyes Alternative for the Mac
- Commenting on Youtube Videos | IOS 18.2 | iPhone 12
- Dictation hack to get better accuracy
- Shortcuts - how do I edit automations in IOS 18?
- Is keyboard focus synchronization broke in Mac mail?
- Help Needed: Using Windows OS on Mac Alongside macOS
- Read Next Paragraph fails on short paragraphs
- Black Ink 2.4 features accessible printing features for low vision
- How to create keyboard shortcuts for accessibility feature settings on MacBook Pro
- how accessible is github?
- Exchanging Iphone 13 pro max with basic 15, will it worth doing this?
- Any accessible apps of the Quran similar to those for the bible?
- what's the point of the new passwords app in sequoia?
- PSA: There's no Hey Siri on Mac Mini
- Some lightweight audio editing needs - which DAW to choose?
- VoiceOver audio and Bluetooth speakers
- Telegram accessibility on iOS, and Swiftgram's take at it
- accessible graphing calculator for the iPhone?
- trying out parallels desktop; not impressed thus far... Need a hand
- Looking for a Match Three Puzzle Game
- Seeking recommendations for a simple pedometer for apple watch SE2
- Anyway to show a list of things like a to-do list on the lock screen?
- What apps are people using on IOS to read, with a brail display, books purchased or downloaded?
- A Tentative Work-around for Signing PDF"s in the Preview App: Thoughts or Other Discoveries?
- iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence
- an accessible shopping experience
- Looking for Play Testers - Card Matching Game - Global Accessibility Awareness Day Feature
- Problem with the sound of the Eloquence voice on my new iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Changing primary email on my phone.
All recent content posted to AppleVis can be found at:
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Wishing you the best and every good thing,
The AppleVis Editorial Team Www.AppleVis.Com A proud member of the Be My Eyes family