Today, Apple held a press event it called "Hello Again". The company announced a new accessibility website, a new Apple TV feature, and a long-awaited update to its MacBook computers. It may have missed the back-to-school shoppers, but today's announcements arrive just in time for the holiday shopping frenzy. There are some major changes to the MacBook line-up on the way, and while much of what you're about to read is awesome, you may not like all of it. But there's a…
Apple has today released software updates for the Apple Watch and fourth-generation Apple TV.
According to Apple’s release notes for watchOS 3.1 via 9to5Mac, this update includes the following:
- New option to replay bubble and full screen effects in Messages.
- Messages effect can play with Reduce Motion enabled…
Apple has today released macOS Sierra 10.12.1 to the public, bringing with it a range of bug fixes, changes and improvements.
According to Apple's release notes via MacRumors, macOS Sierra 10.12.1 includes the following changes:
This update:
- Adds an automatic smart album in Photos for Depth Effect images taken on iPhone 7 Plus
- Improves the…
Apple has today released iOS 10.1 to the public, bringing with it a range of bug fixes, changes and improvements.
For blind and low vision users, our initial testing suggests that Apple has made limited progress towards addressing the accessibility bugs present in iOS 10. Specifically, we believe the following bugs have been resolved in this release:
While most of us have no doubt updated our iOS devices and Macs, there are no doubt users who prefer not to update for many reasons. While updating is an individual decision, I wanted to focus on what may happen if a person doesn’t update.
Like every other person who owns a computer or internet-ready mobile phone, I use the net frequently and prefer not to count how many hours I spend online a week. One thing I have noticed throughout my regular browsing is the slight shift in…
Apple has today released iOS 10.0.3 for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus users.
The release notes via 9to5Mac for iOS 10.0.3 are:
- Fixes bugs including an issue where some users could temporarily lose cellular connectivity.
According to 9to5Mac the specifics of this problem are:
Today’s update should resolve some…
The first contractions started around 2am, early that morning in late January. My wife gently nudged me into a semi-conscious state to share the news that our first child was actively on the way. In my stupor, I thoughtfully suggested that since the contractions would likely take a few hours to pick up steam, we could go back to sleep. I did just that. She did not.
A restful night is difficult when your better half keeps reminding you that she is about to give birth. I finally got up…
The blobby, glowing, white-on-black magnified letters are smudging together again. I blink several times, only now realizing I am squinting. I lean back from my MacBook Pro, a dull thudding beginning behind my eyes. It seems like it's getting to that point, my ability to read and write is rapidly disappearing. Gently rubbing my eyes, I decide to take a break.
Almost…
In this post I would like to open-up the discussion on conducting research, VoiceOver and general accessibility of researching platforms. I will focus on SurveyMonkey as the research platform in this post, but that is only because it is the platform which I have the most experience of using.
I would like to point out at this point, this post is not going to be a tutorial or written demonstration of SurveyMonkey, and the post is written assuming that you have an interest and…
Welcome to the September 2016 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which aims to highlight what's new and noteworthy in the accessible app landscape. Below, you'll find a recap of the best content posted to AppleVis - from new app entries, to app updates, to podcasts and blogs. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.
Remember my blog posts about the issues surrounding the accessibility of American Heritage English Dictionary? It all started almost four years ago when exciting efforts to make it accessible commenced. Then the efforts came to fruition and this worthwhile application…
I considered skipping this iPhone due to the disappearance of the headphone jack, for about one second, then I moved back into reality and took the plunge. Why?
The iPhone 7 is much more than just a missing headphone jack, even for those of us in the connected, online blind community.
Image stabilization on the camera, now in both iPhone models, means it should be easier to receive remote sighted assistance through apps like BeSpecular…
Apple has today released iOS 10.0.2 to address some bugs introduced in last weeks public launch of iOS 10.
According to the release notes via AppleInsider, the full list of changes spotlighted by Apple are:
- Addresses an issue that could prevent headphone audio controls from temporarily not working…
Today, Apple released a free update to its Mac computers: macOS Sierra. Apart from the new name for this version (Sierra), you'll notice that Apple has re-branded the entire line of the Mac's operating system. No longer is it OS X; it's macOS, to line up with tvOS, watchOS, and iOS. As always, this is a free upgrade, available to anyone with a supported Mac. And, again as always, we urge you to back up important files before upgrading, just in case.
A few…
In October of 1999, during a business trip to California, I had the opportunity to attend an exclusive private party on the retired luxury liner, the RMS Queen Mary. The former flagship of the White Star Line was reserved for this one very raucous bash. For me, parties usually involved two or three old friends and a single bottle of good wine. However, this was a fancy-pants event and because I am a plain old vanilla guy, I was now in way over my head.
My guide dog and I boarded the…
Apple has today released watchOS 3, proudly claiming that this release will let you “do more in an instant”:
With the latest watchOS, apps launch instantly and are easier to access. You can choose from a range of watch faces and share your daily activity with friends. The Breathe app helps you stay healthy by taking a moment for yourself every day. And messages are more expressive and delightful. It’s the world’s most loved…
Apple has today released tvOS 10 for the fourth-generation Apple TV, proudly claimingl that with this release the “Apple TV keeps getting better and better”:
With the tvOS update, Apple Music has been totally redesigned. A new Remote app lets you control your Apple TV with your iPhone. You’ll even be able to adjust the house lights and thermostat straight from your TV.
Another fall is upon us, which means football season has started, temperatures are starting to drop, and that a new version of iOS is coming out. Another seemingly established tradition is that another article discussing the new accessibility features is in order. Just like the past several years, there are many changes to iOS that are mainstream and will be welcome changes. Some of the new features include a revamped Music app; a new Home app; new 3d Touch functionality in Apple apps; and…
Detailed in this post are possible accessibility-related bugs that members of the AppleVis Editorial Team have identified during their testing of iOS 10.
As is now our routine practice, the bugs have been grouped based upon what we believe to be there likely level of impact to the user experience to those affected by each bug. At the time of writing, we have only identified one bug which we believe to be serious—an issue which relates to using iOS 10’s Mail app with a braille display…
Apple has today released iOS 10, proudly claiming this latest iteration of the software to be “more personal, more powerful and more playful”:
Everything you love is now even better with iOS 10, our biggest release yet. Express yourself in bold new ways in Messages. Find your route with beautifully redesigned Maps. Relive memories like never before in Photos. And use the power of Siri in more apps than ever.
…