AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for August 2025

By AppleVis, 29 August, 2025

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Welcome to the August 2025 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, your monthly digest of the latest and most notable content on the AppleVis website. This newsletter features a curated selection of community-submitted content, including new app entries; updates; news; podcasts; and popular discussions. We hope that you find this publication to be both helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback about this newsletter, please feel free to reach out using our Contact Form.

New and Noteworthy App Entries

Beatstar [macOS]

From Developer's Website:

This is the new version of Beatstar, the game which has been installed in many blind gamers’ computers isnce its launch.

This new version allows you to download packs from within the game much faster, also upload your packs and play within the pack editor! YOu’re going to love it.

Additional Details:

Boycott for Peace [iOS]

From the App Store:

Quickly scan a barcode to know if you should boycott it, find out the reasons why, and check the proofs.

If you prefer a more manual approach, the app also has a search function, letting you to explore brands at your convenience. With its user-friendly features, the app aims to support conscious consumerism and ethical decision-making in every shopping experience

Additional Details:

Lost in Blindness [macOS]

From Itch.io:

Play as Alex, a young blind archeologist and follow the tracks left behind by the disappearance of the Mayan civilization! In this blind adventure game, discover an incredible 3D environment only by listening to the sounds around you, without using your eyes to see.

Explore a temple in the middle of the Amazonia and solve the puzzles that it hides. Thanks to a choice-based dialogue system, make your own decisions that will change the course of your story, to make it even more shocking!

And since adventure game should have it’s share of action and infiltration, watch your back… Because it seems that creatures and people don’t want you discovering the secrets protected by this temple! But don’t worry, your friends are here to help you on your journey... at least... you think so...

Additional Details:

Rebirth Simulator [iOS]

From the App Store:

This is a strategy turn-based game that combines roguelike building and text adventure simulation.

You will customize your character and embark on an otherworldly journey!

Make your choices, brave hero, and complete your one-of-a-kind adventure!

Additional Details:

Second Texting Number [iOS]

From the App Store:

Protect your privacy with a new number for texting with Second Texting Number. It's free to start, download now.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN NUMBER

Get a new phone number with any area code.

UNLIMITED TEXTING

Send and receive unlimited text messages to any US phone number. This includes photo messages!

RECEIVE VERIFICATION CODES

Your number can be used to receive verification codes for account registrations.

PRIVACY PROTECTED

Gone are the days of sharing your personal number online. Use your second number to stay protected.

GROUP TEXTING

Seamlessly create and participate in group text messaging.

Additional Details:

uBlock Origin Lite [iOS]

From the App Store:

uBO Lite (uBOL) is a reliable and efficient content blocker.

The default ruleset corresponds to uBlock Origin's default filterset:

  • uBlock Origin's built-in filter lists
  • EasyList
  • EasyPrivacy
  • Peter Lowe’s Ad and tracking server list

You can enable more rulesets by visiting the options page -- click the Cogs icon in the popup panel.

uBOL is entirely declarative, meaning there is no need for a permanent uBOL process for the filtering to occur, and CSS/JS injection-based content filtering is performed reliably by the browser itself rather than by the extension. This means that uBOL itself does not consume CPU/memory resources while content blocking is ongoing -- uBOL's service worker process is required only when you interact with the popup panel or the option pages.

Additional Details:

Whisper Notes - Speech To Text [iOS]

Whisper Notes: Offline speech-to-text powered by Whisper Large-V3-Turbo model, perfect for capturing daily voice memos and meeting notes. The app runs completely offline to ensure your voice recordings and privacy never leave your device.

No subscriptions, no in-app purchases, no ads—just a simple one-time payment for lifetime access.

Features

  • Local voice recording & transcription
  • Import and transcribe audio/video files, all offline
  • Batch export or delete text and audio files
  • Supports export of timestamped transcript
  • Keyboard shortcuts for voice recording in any input field across apps

Additional Details:

WrestleVerse: Pro Wrestling GM [iOS]

Take control of your own wrestling promotion and craft your stories in an immersive, fully realized universe. Create dream matches, manage rivalries, and build future stars. Book your wrestling vision exactly how you want—from quick and simple to deep and strategic. No ads, no microtransactions, no subscriptions—no BS.

Additional Details:

Notable App Updates

ally - accessible ai assistant [iOS]

ally is the most accessible ai assistant, like calling a friend who always picks up.

just call or text - ally understands what you mean, adapts to your pace, and helps you get things done, wherever you are.

who is ally for?

anyone who wants an easier, personalised and smarter way to access information; especially for those who are blind or have low vision, older adults and caregivers.

what can ally do?

  • answer any question
  • read text
  • check the weather
  • help understand what’s around you
  • trivia & adventure games
  • check your calendar
  • access the internet
  • chat with you when you need company
  • and much more

how does ally work?

just talk. ally understands your intent and picks the right tool - then responds in a way that works best for you. personalize its voice, tone, and style - so it sounds like you want it to.

where can you use ally?

your ally account goes with you, and works seamlessly across platforms whether it's your phone, desktop or envision glasses.

App Store Release Notes for August 2025 Updates
Version 1.5.0 (August 12, 2025)

What's New in Version 1.4.1

Custom AI Voice Personalities

Transform how your AI Allies speak! Create unique voices with natural language descriptions:

Voice Customization - Design personalized speaking styles for each AI assistant

Accent Control - Choose from regional accents worldwide

Emotional Expression - Set tones from professional to friendly, calm to energetic

Speed Control - Adjust speech rate from 0.5x to 2.5x for perfect pacing

Natural Descriptions - Simply describe your ideal voice in plain English

How It Works:

Edit any Ally's Communication Style to define their voice personality. Preview unlimited voice combinations instantly. Pro users can save custom voices permanently.

Perfect for accessibility, language learning, productivity, and creating AI companions that truly match your preferences.

Bug Fixes & Performance:

Improved voice generation accuracy

Enhanced audio playback stability

Optimized for iOS 17+ compatibility

Version 1.5.1 (August 13, 2025)

Bug fixes and improvements.

Additional Details:

Eter: Streaming Internet Radio [iOS]

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. You can also add any stream by URL.

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 save favorite stations, 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). Eter on tvOS and watchOS works as a companion app. If you've upgraded to Premium, you can play your favorites on these platforms too.

Curious what that song is? You can optionally use Shazam automatic song recognition to know what’s playing. (Available for all users.)

Enjoy unlimited listening with Eter on any Apple anything, including CarPlay, for free.

We strive to provide an outstanding internet radio experience to all users, including those using VoiceOver. If you spot shortcomings, please reach out to [email protected] so we can work together to improve things.

Upgrade Eter with a single one-time in-app purchase to:

  • Save favorite stations so you don’t have to search each time.
  • Hide the recommended stations & just see your own list.
  • View listening history and open any track in Apple Music.
  • Use Eter from the Mac menu bar and hide its Dock icon (Mac only).
  • Set a sleep timer to drift off to calming tunes from anywhere in the world.
  • Try experimental features like streaming to a Chromecast device.
  • Support the continued development of this app.
App Store Release Notes for August 2025 Updates
Version 2.8 (August 21, 2025)
  • Spotlight search now includes your favorite stations.
  • Detach the MiniPlayer window on macOS with ease!
  • Use Shazam music recognition in CarPlay with Eter.
  • Fixed an issue where VPN users needed to restore purchases for premium access.
  • Accessibility rotor added for seamless switching between Apple Music and Spotify in Settings.

Enjoying Eter? Share the love with an App Store review! Have suggestions? Contact us at [email protected].

Version 2.8.1 (August 27, 2025)

Additional fixes for the Restore Purchase issue and for the issue with adding stations from search results.

We’re bringing you a variety of fixes and goodies in Eter 2.8:

  • You can now search in Spotlight for your favorite stations.
  • Want to detach the MiniPlayer window on macOS? — now you can!
  • Want to toggle Shazam music recognition when using Eter in CarPlay? — now you can!
  • Some people using VPNs have needed to restore their purchase when attempting to access a premium feature; we’ve fixed that
  • We’ve added a rotor for improved accessibility when switching between music services (Apple Music and Spotify) in Settings.

Love Eter and want to tell the world? Please leave an App Store review! Almost in love with Eter but want us to add or change something? Write to us at [email protected].

Additional Details:

PiccyBot [iOS]

PiccyBot makes media accessible if you are blind or have low vision. Use PiccyBot to convert photos and videos into spoken descriptions, pose questions in the text field, and zoom in for specific details. PiccyBot answers any image or video related query with a clear calm voice.

Key Features:

  1. Video and Image Description: Launch PiccyBot and either use the camera or select an image or video from your gallery. PiccyBot analyzes the visual content and provides a detailed description.
  2. Converse with PiccyBot: Ask follow-up questions about the image or video to get more specific information like "What does this image signify?" or "What colors are in this scene?".
  3. Share media from apps: Instantly share photos & videos from your favorite social apps with PiccyBot. Use the share feature of your app and then select PiccyBot to share it to. PiccyBot will then process the video or image and provide the description.
  4. Voice Output: A clear, natural-sounding voice reads out descriptions, making it easy to understand visual content.

Unlock Premium Benefits:

  1. Experience PiccyBot without interruptions. Enjoy an ads-free environment.
  2. Enhance your image and video interpretation with personalised voice choices, adjustable description length, a selection of multiple AI engines and longer and more detailed video descriptions.
  3. Choose from 55 languages in the PiccyBot settings to create the description.
  4. Multiple Sharing Options: Share as audio only, video with audio mix, or description only.
  5. Audio-Video Mixing: Combine original video audio with generated audio descriptions.
App Store Release Notes for August 2025 Updates
Version 2.26 (August 8, 2025)
  • Added support for copy/paste of images to PiccyBot. Now you can copy an image from for example Facebook, and paste it into PiccyBot for a description
  • Fixed a number of bugs. Overall performance improvements.
Version 2.27 (August 12, 2025)
  • Simplified paste function. Since it proved hard by visually impaired users to initiate the paste command, PiccyBot will now prompt for permission if an image is present on the clipboard.
  • Cleaned up PiccyBot cache regularly. This will improve the stability of the app.
  • Bug fixes and performance improvements
Version 2.28 (August 15, 2025)
  • Added pasting of links as well as images. Now copy video links from Facebook, YouTube, etc. and paste them into PiccyBot for a description.
  • Settings for audio levels (description vs original audio) will be retained by PiccyBot
  • Fixed a few copy/paste related issues
  • General bug fixes and performance improvements
Version 2.29 (August 20, 2025)
  • Bugfixes and performance improvements
  • Adjustments in settings page layout
Version 2.30 (August 27, 2025)
  • Bug fixed that disabled copying description
  • Updated settings screen
  • Bug fixes and performance improvements

Additional Details:

ScribeMe [iOS]

Use ScribeMe to scan documents and get images described in seconds. Ask ScribeMe AI any questions and get instant results.

ScribeMe is your AI powered assistant for making documents and images fully accessible. Scan PowerPoints and PDFs, and watch as the app automatically labels headings, lists, and tables while generating detailed alt text making your files 100% accessible instantly.

With OCR in 50 languages, ScribeMe extracts text accurately and lets you ask AI any question about your document, from quick summaries to deep insights.

Snap nScribe lets you take photos with your camera or choose from your gallery, giving detailed descriptions of product labels, surroundings, and more. Upload multiple images at once for fast, thorough descriptions, and ask follow-up questions on any photo.

Share any document or photo from other apps to ScribeMe and get instant AI powered assistance making reading, understanding, and exploring content easier than ever.

App Store Release Notes for August 2025 Updates
Version 2.0 (August 22, 2025)
  1. added German,Hindi and Spanish Languages
  2. Full Document Accessibility by labeling Headers,Lists and tables while providing alt text for images
  3. bug fixes

Additional Details:

TeamTalk 5 [iOS]

TeamTalk is a conferencing system which allows users to participate in conferences on the Internet. Users can chat using voice over IP and listen to streaming media files.

TeamTalk for iOS has been designed with particular emphasis on accessibility features for visually impaired.

Here is a list of the main features:

  • Real time voice over IP conversations
  • Public and private instant text messaging
  • Private rooms/channels for every group
  • High quality audio codecs with both mono and stereo
  • Push-to-talk and voice activation
  • Standalone server available for both LAN and Internet environments
  • User authentication with accounts
  • Accessibility for visually impaired using VoiceOver
App Store Release Notes for August 2025 Updates
Version V5.19 (August 8, 2025)

Use VoiceOver to announce TTS events for screen reader users

Additional Details:

Warshovel: Idle RPG [iOS]

Embark on the Ultimate Idle RPG Adventure!

Discover an immersive fantasy world filled with exciting challenges, breathtaking locations, and endless opportunities to grow stronger. Whether you’re an active player or prefer the idle experience, this game offers something for everyone.

Key Features:

  1. Explore a Vast Fantasy World
    Travel across multiple unique locations, each brimming with secrets, enemies, and treasures to uncover.
  2. Master the Art of Crafting
    Craft powerful equipment and consumables through six distinct masteries:
    • Alchemy: Brew potions with magical effects
    • Cooking: Prepare dishes that empower your character
    • Jewelry: Create enchanted accessories
    • Smithing: Forge weapons and armor
    • Woodworking: Build bows and staves
    • Tailoring: Sew garments and light armor
  3. Equip and Customize Your Hero
    Find and equip powerful gear with unique stats, affixes, and rarities to create the ultimate build.
  4. Master Elemental Skills
    Learn and upgrade skills from six elemental categories: Water, Fire, Rock, Thunder, Nature, and Dark. Experiment to discover synergies that dominate the battlefield!
  5. Join or Create a Guild
    Team up with friends or lead your own guild. Build a guild camp, engage in epic battles against rival guilds, and take on enormous beasts for glorious rewards.
  6. Real-Time Marketplace
    Trade items with other players in a dynamic economy. Buy, sell, and barter your way to success.
  7. Build Your Town
    Construct a thriving town for your citizens, unlocking permanent boosts to empower your hero on every adventure.
  8. Conquer the Mysterious Maze
    Dive into an ever-changing maze to uncover rare treasures and rewards.
  9. Battle Fearsome Enemies
    Face a variety of foes, from dungeon guards to invasion bosses. Only the strongest will survive!
  10. Level Up Your Hero
    Gain experience, grow stronger, and unlock new abilities as you progress through your journey.
App Store Release Notes for August 2025 Updates
Version 1.0.418 (August 11, 2025)
  • Pet tamers: Squad and fight
  • Arena & Invasion boosted rewards
  • Weapons balance update
  • Accessibility improvements
Version 1.0.420 (August 21, 2025)
  • Allow to lock up to 2 affixes during roll (expensive)
  • Reworked sign-up flow with option to select starting weapon & avatar
  • Increase base selling prices of equippable items & consumables
  • Display strong/weak against elemental on pet details
  • QoL option to reset whole pets squad
  • Accessibility improvements & bug fixes

Additional Details:

Recent News and Views

Join AppleVis for Coverage of Apple's September 2025 Event and Software Releases

By AppleVis | August 27, 2025

We invite you to join AppleVis this September for coverage of Apple's product announcements and software releases.

Apple has announced an 'awe dropping' media event for September 9, 2025.

At the event, Apple is widely expected to announce multiple new models of the iPhone and Apple Watch; with the possibility that other products may be refreshed as well. In addition, Apple is also expected to announce the release dates for Version 26 of the operating systems for all of its platforms; including for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

Apple Releases iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1; Enabling Blood Oxygen Functionality on Some Apple Watch Models in the United States

By AppleVis | August 14, 2025

Apple has today released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, bringing support for a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to some Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models in the U.S.

According to an Apple press release, the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature will be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models that did not have the original Blood Oxygen feature. Sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will be measured and calculated on the user's iPhone and available in the Respiratory section of the Health app:

Users with these models in the U.S. who currently do not have the Blood Oxygen feature will have access to the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature by updating their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. Following this update, sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will be measured and calculated on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app. This update was enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling.

Apple Releases iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1; Bringing a Fix for an Actively-Exploited Security Vulnerability

By AppleVis | August 20, 2025

Apple has today released iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1; bringing a fix for a security vulnerability that has been actively exploited. Apple has today also released updates for devices on iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and macOS 13.

As reported by MacRumors, iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1 all contain fixes for a security vulnerability that is known to have been actively exploited:

According to Apple's security support documents, memory corruption could result from devices that were sent a malicious image file.

Apple says that it is aware of a report that the issue "may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals."

This Month in Podcasts

AppleVis Extra #110: Envision & the Ally Solos Smart Glasses

In this episode of AppleVis Extra, hosts Dave Nason and Thomas Domville welcome back Karthik Kannan from Envision for his second appearance this year. The discussion centers around Envision’s newest wearable: the Ally Solos Smart Glasses, developed in partnership with Solos. The conversation covers design, functionality, pricing, and how these glasses differ from Envision’s previous offerings and other competing smart glasses.

A Demonstration and Walkthrough of Multi-User Support on macOS

In this episode, Tyler walks through how multi-user accounts work on macOS—why you might use them, how to add a new user, ways to switch quickly (including Touch ID), and how to safely delete an account while preserving data for troubleshooting. He also covers guest access, account types (Administrator, Standard, and Sharing Only), and a few accessibility tips with VoiceOver.

Tonewood Amp: Accessible Effects from Your Guitar’s Soundbox

Victor demos the Tonewood Amp, a small magnetic unit that attaches to the back of an acoustic-electric guitar and uses the guitar’s own soundbox to project effects like reverb, delay, chorus/phaser, and tremolo—no external amp or headphones required.

He also explores the Tonewood Amp Remote app, which is now fully accessible with VoiceOver thanks to his direct collaboration with the developers. The app lets you chain up to four effects, adjust routing (series or parallel), fine-tune EQ and compression, save presets, and control feedback with the “Feedback Assassin.”

Popular Topics

Below is a selection of popular topics on the AppleVis Forum during August 2025:

Connect with Us

Wishing you every good thing in September and beyond,

The AppleVis Editorial Team Www.AppleVis.Com A Be My Eyes Company

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