Apple has today released iOS 16, bringing customizable Lock Screens; enhancements to Focus modes; the ability to edit and delete messages; improvements for Apple apps like Mail, Home, and Maps; and much more.
Arguably the biggest new feature is the ability to customise the Lock Screen. You can now change the font and color of the time and date; add widgets that allow at a glance access to information; create multiple custom Lock Screen for use at different times or for specific…
I'm back yet again. Just like in years past, September brings us a new major release of iOS. This latest edition includes many mainstream changes such as a revamped Lock screen; enhancements to privacy and safety features; Focus Mode enhancements; new functionality in Messages and Mail; along with many other improvements. For Apple's official list of iOS 16 features and changes, see this webpage which Highlights many…
Apple has released iOS 16 to the public. This post contains details of the VoiceOver, low vision, and Braille bugs which we believe have been introduced in this release; as well as details of the pre-existing bugs which we believe to be resolved.
As is our routine practice, each new bug has been given a severity rating; these ratings are based upon what we believe to be the implications for accessing and using features and functionality and the level of impact on the overall user…
Today was Apple's Far Out event, introducing the world to the latest iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. While the camera and screen improvements in iPhone 14 will surprise exactly no one, there was still an impressive amount of exciting news. Rather than trying to come up with more fluff for this introduction, I'll just get right to the fun part.
As it has done in the last couple years, Apple introduced four new iPhones. The news wasn't all good…
The odd behavior started more than seventy years ago when my Dad placed Mom's engagement ring on a small porcelain mouse that nestled in a piece of porcelain cheese.
My parents were married in 1952. They didn't yet own a television and no one had game consoles or iPads. Nothing to do. So, my mom began to collect mice. Lots of mice. Not hyperactive rodents that required the cleaning of cages, or a hungry cat, but the kinds of inanimate mice you might find at a gift shop. Or a…
Welcome to the August 2022 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly summary of what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.
Apple has today released iOS 15.6.1, iPadOS 15.6.1, macOS Monterey 12.5.1, and watchOS 8.7.1 for Apple Watch Series 3 only.
According to Apple's release notes, iOS 15.6.1 “...provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.””
The release notes for macOS 12.5.1 are similarly brief, with Apple simply saying that “This update is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.”
According to…
Welcome to the July 2022 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly summary of what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.
Apple has today released macOS Monterey 12.5, watchOS 8.7, tvOS 15.6, and HomePod Software 15.6 to the public, each of which appear to focus on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.
The macOS Monterey 12.5 release notes say that it includes enhancements, bug fixes and security updates, with the following mentioned:
Apple has today released iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6 to the public, both of which appear to focus on bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.
Amongst the fixes is the following for Braille users:
We periodically review the guidelines that we ask members of our community to respect in their use of the AppleVis website. This involves evaluating whether existing guidelines remain necessary and appropriate; are in the best interests of our community; and that they also reflect the current wishes of the majority of our community.
With public betas for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16, HomePod software version 16, and watchOS 9 coming soon, we decided that it was timely…
Welcome to the June 2022 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly summary of what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.
Discord is a discussion forum tool that connects a network of participants. Discussions are grouped by servers that you create, so the topics and membership are up to you. My writing group recently decided to start using Discord as a replacement for discussing by email, which had become impractical.
Discord was designed by gamers. On the bright side, gamers like to keep their hands on the keyboard. Consequently, all Discord’s features are designed for keyboard access. On the down…
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.
Let's begin with the iPhone and iPad. The below features are…
Welcome to the May 2022 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly summary of what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.
Since 2005, I have used a variety of Macs, and have regularly used every version of macOS from Tiger to Monterey since then. Over that time, I’ve witnessed the various changes to VoiceOver, both major and minor, as well as how VoiceOver on macOS helped usher in a whole new world of mobile accessibility on iOS and iPadOS.
Today, with the Mac’s transition to Apple Silicon and the performance potential that it’s helped to unleash, it can be argued that the Mac is…
We are pleased to announce that our Community has chosen Blind Drive and Dolphin EasyReader to be this year's inductees into the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame.
First opened in 2011, the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame showcases and acknowledges the passion and hard work that app developers put into creating great iOS apps that are fully accessible to VoiceOver users. These apps place powerful tools and inclusive experiences into the palms of our hands, and give access to services,…
Apple has today released tvOS 15.5.1 and HomePod software 15.5.1.
While we do not currently know what's included in tvOS 15.5.1, Apple's release notes for HomePod software 15.5.1, via MacRumors mentions a fix for an issue that caused music to stop playing after a short time.
As these updates appear to have been released to address a small number of specific issues, our expectation is that they…
We are pleased to announce that voting for the 2022 inductees into the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame is now open.
Now in its eleventh year, our Hall of Fame is one of the ways in which the AppleVis community seeks to recognize developers of accessible iOS applications. Apps in the Hall of Fame can be liberating; empowering; life-changing; provide access to information that sighted users take for granted; or, in some cases, they can just be good fun.
To be eligible for…
Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on Thursday 19 May, Apple has previewed new accessibility features that will be coming to its platforms later this year.
Of particular note for blind and low vision users is Door Detection on supported iPhones and iPads, which will enable you to navigate the last few feet to your destination…