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:
Apple today kicked off its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) with the traditional keynote presentation.
WWDC is when the world gets a preview of the software coming out of Cupertino in the Fall. We traditionally see the next iterations of Apple's operating systems for all of its main platforms and maybe a new service or cloud-based offering. This year was no exception: iOS 13, macOS Catalina, watchOS 6, and tvOS 13 were all showcased on stage.
Amongst theā¦
Welcome to the May 2019 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which aims to highlight what’s new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you’ll find a selection of the best 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.
ā¦Ahead of next week's WWDC, Apple has quietly released a seventh generation iPod touch featuring an A10 Fusion processor.
The upgrade from the A8 chip found in the previous generation iPod touch will bring support for AR games and Group FaceTime to the new model.
In addition to the upgraded processor, the new iPod touch offers a 256GB model for the first time.
The 2019 iPod touch retains the chassis design dating back toā¦
Apple has today released iOS 12.3.1 to address issues with voice over LTE calls as well as iMessage filtering and reporting.
According to Apple's release notes via 9to5Mac, iOS 12.3.1 includes the following fixes:
- Fixes an issue that could prevent making or receiving VoLTEā¦
When writing last November about my short time with an 11-inch iPad Pro and Smart Keyboard Folio, I commented on being generally disappointed by the performance of VoiceOver on iPad and concluded that the iPad had little to offer for my use case and circumstances.
In the months that followed, I regularly found myself reflecting on that post and wonderingā¦
May 16, 2019 is the eighth annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD); when people are encouraged to talk, think and learn about digital access and inclusion. This year, we ask both users and developers to get involved. Here's how you can participate.
GAAD is an excellent opportunity to contact developers about their apps, websites, and digital content. Before youā¦
Today has seen another round of software updates from Apple. In addition to iOS 12.3, Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.5, watchOS 5.2.1, and tvOS 12.3.
The macOS Mojave 10.14.5 update appears to focus on under-the-hood bug fixes and performance improvements, with the only notable change being adding support for theā¦
Apple has today released iOS 12.3 to the public, bringing with it a redesigned TV app; a slightly updated design for the Apple TV Remote app; and enhancements to the Wallet app.
In iOS 12.3, Apple has removed the Accessibility Events switch introduced with iOS 12.2;ā¦
Welcome to the April 2019 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which aims to highlight what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of the best 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.
In the latest versions of iOS and macOS, Apple introduced a new setting called āAccessibility Eventsā for users of assistive technology.
This new feature tells websites when an assistive technology, such as a screen reader, is being used by the site visitor, enabling developers to customize the behavior of the website accordingly. One example would be to ensure that any custom controls such as custom web sliders are accessible by users.
For blind web users, this shouldā¦
A new feature for VoiceOver users called "Accessibility Events" was introduced in iOS 12.2 and macOS 10.14.4 without any announcement or documentation. I cannot find any info about this feature on Apple's website. Even the installed Help files say nothing about it, so far. The only information given is a short description label in the Mac Preferences and IOS settings, shown below. To the best of my knowledge, which is quite limited at this time, leaving it turned on allows webmasters andā¦
Welcome to the March 2019 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which aims to highlight what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of the best 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 watchOS 5.2 to the public, bringing the ECG feature to Hong Kong and Europe and adding support for Air Pods 2.
At the time of posting, we do not believe watchOS 5.2 contains any accessibility improvements for blind and low vision users. This is incredibly disappointing, especially as we are nearing what has historically been the end of the current software release life-cycle - and there are still issues with VoiceOver, such as it not speaking certainā¦
Appleās major āItās show timeā event was held today at Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino; hereās our summary of the highlights.
Having made a number of hardware announcements last week via press releases, it came as no surprise that Apple's focus for this event was new and upcoming services rather than new or updated hardware. There's a new TV and movie streaming service featuring original content commissioned by Apple; an updated TV app that better integrates third-party services; aā¦
Today has seen another round of software updates from Apple. In addition to iOS 12.2, Apple has released macOS Mojave 10.14.4, tvOS 12.2, and version 12.2 of the HomePod software.
At the time of posting, we are unaware of any changes for blind and low vision users in these releases.
It is particularly disappointing that we are once againā¦
Apple has today released iOS 12.2 to the public, following its event that saw the launches of new video, news, and gaming services, and a new Apple credit card.
In addition to some new features and enhancements, iOS 12.2 brings one fix for braille users.
When placing a Real-Time Text (RTT) call, the display will automatically refresh to show text typed by the other party.ā¦
Apple has today launched the second generation of its popular AirPods, available with the long-promised wireless charging case, a new H1 chip designed specifically for headsets, hands-free āHey Siriā, longer battery life, and faster connections to devices.
According to Apple, the new H1 chip delivers performance efficiencies, faster connect times, up to 50% more talk time compared to theā¦
Ahead of next week's āIt's show timeā event, Apple has today announced updates to its iPad line - there's a new 10.5-inch iPad Air, and a long overdue update for the iPad mini.
The new iPad Air has a 10.5-inch display and features the A12 Bionic chip found in the iPhone XS and XR. And, asā¦
Apple has today invited the press to a special event on March 25 at Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino.
Apple officially announced the event with the tagline āItās show timeā, which would appear to confirm that the rumours are correct, and that the focus of the event will be on Apple's long-anticipated original content video service.
In it's round-up of what's already known about the video service,ā¦