Today, Apple kicked off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). As it always does, it started the conference with a presentation of what's in the works for all its major platforms, sharing highlights of the iOS, watchOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates set to be released in the fall. There was also a surprise MacBook Air refresh, which we'll get to in a bit.
At its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference this week, Apple previewed some of the new features coming to its iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS platforms later this year. At this point, it's worth noting that this software is still in beta form, and not all features--particularly, the specifics of how they will be implemented--are finalized. With that said, below is what Apple has told us will be coming for users of accessibility features:
Below is a list of the major highlights from today's Apple Special Event keynote, compiled from the twitter feed of AppleVis and other sources as linked to on this page.
General
Apple held its annual fall media event today, announcing new iPhones, Apple Watches, and Apple TV. As usual, we’re here to recap what was shown off, so you know just how close to all your money Apple will be getting this year.
We are extremely pleased to announce that we are now able to significantly relax our rules covering what can and cannot be said about beta versions of Apple software on the AppleVis website.
Previously, our rules covering new features or changes in a forthcoming software release have only permitted sharing of information which has already been made public by Apple itself. This typically included information made available at events such as new product launch announcements, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, and on the preview pages of Apple’s website.
Earlier this year, the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco (known as San Francisco Lighthouse to people who speak standard English) agreed that the support for the Macintosh Terminal app using VoiceOver was an inadequate solution for all but the most minimal of its possible use cases. To remedy this issue, they funded the development of a new little screen reader called tdsr.
Apple is now offering hands-on accessibility training workshops at many of its retail stores.
As originally reported by Access iQ, Apple is now offering workshops for users of its assistive technology software at many Apple Store locations. Accessibility workshops include those for users with vision, hearing, and physical disabilities and cover both iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks.
Update: since posting this article we have recorded an interview with Sarah Herrlinger, Director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives at Apple; and Dean Hudson, Accessibility Evangelist at Apple, who discussed the enhancements mentioned below and shared a few others which we didn't already know about.
These include:
At its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference this week, Apple previewed some of the new accessibility features coming to its iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS platforms later this year. At this point, it's worth noting that this software is still in beta form, and not all features--particularly, the specifics of how they will be implemented--are finalized. With that said, below is what Apple has announced will be coming for users of accessibility features:
Apple is once again celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by offering [a preview of accessibility features coming later this year.
For VoiceOver users, improvements include new voices, a flexible Voice Rotor, custom volume control, and the ability to customize keyboard shortcuts on Mac.
Apple has today confirmed to us that the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro models is accessible to users of VoiceOver, Zoom, and Switch Control.
Apple has today issued the first preview releases of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra for members of its public beta testing program.
Today has seen another round of software releases from Apple, with updates arriving for all of its platforms.
At the time of posting, full release notes for today's updates are not yet available. However, we are currently unaware of any outward-facing changes of note; with Apple's focus for these releases seemingly being on making the typical mix of bug fixes, security patches, and under-the-hood performance improvements.
Apple has today released iOS 11.2.2 and macOS 10.13.2 Supplemental Update, bringing a software fix for the 'Spectre' vulnerability reported last week.
According to Mac Rumors, both iOS 11.2.2 and macOS 10.13.2 Supplemental Update contain software fixes for the 'Spectre' vulnerability.
Apple has today released software updates for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
According to Apple's release notes via Mac Rumors, iOS 11.2.6 includes the following bug fixes:
iOS 11.2.6 includes bug fixes for your iPhone or iPad. This update:
Fixes an issue where using certain character sequences could cause apps to crash
Fixes an issue where some third-party apps could fail to connect to external accessories
Apple has today released iOS 11.3.1 and a new security update for macOS High Sierra 10.13.4.
iOS 11.3.1 addresses a recently identified problem that could cause third-party repairs done on iPhone 8 models using aftermarket parts to disable the touch functionality of the screen.
According to the release notes via MacRumors, iOS 11.3.1 also includes some unspecified security improvements:
Apple has today released iOS 12.1.4 and an updated version of macOS Mojave 10.14.3 to the public. These releases address a recently discovered bug with the group messaging feature of FaceTime that allowed a user to hear the audio of the person they are calling before the receiving party accepted the call.
Apple has today released updates to all of its major platforms, iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS.
According to Apple's release notes for iOS 12.4.1, via MacRumors, the update contains, "Important security and stability updates" and is believed to fix a recently discovered security vulnerability.
According to Apple's release notes for macOS 10.14.6 Supplemental Update, via MacRumors, the update:
Apple has today released iOS 12.5.5 for older devices not compatible with iOS 15, as well as 2021-006 Security Update for macOS Catalina, bringing fixes for several security vulnerabilities, including one that was reportedly used to infect devices with NSO Pegasus spyware.
Apple has today released iOS 13.1.3, iPadOS 13.1.3, and a supplemental update for macOS Catalina.
According to Apple's release notes, via MacRumors, the iOS and iPadOS updates include various bug fixes. See below for details:
iOS 13.1.3: