News

watchOS 10 Now Available With Stackable Widgets, Updated Apps, New Workout Features, and More

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Apple has today released watchOS 10, bringing an overhauled Watch interface with a focus on widgets to get you access to more information at a glance. There are also redesigns to many apps, updated watch faces, new workout features, and more.

For VoiceOver users, Apple has made additional improvements with voices in watchOS 10. The Eloquence speech synthesizer is now available, and voices are now more responsive and can also be customized in the Watch app on iPhone in addition to on the Watch itself.

We’re Getting Ready for the Release of iOS 9 on 16 September; be Sure to Join us

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With the public release of iOS 9 now just three days away, we wanted to let you all know that we plan to have lots of information and resources ready to share with you as soon as Apple makes its new version of iOS available for download.

Our coverage will include a number of Blog posts with information on what you will find in iOS 9, along with podcast demonstrations of some new and changed features.

We’re Making it Easier For You To Keep Up-To-Date With The Status Of Accessibility On iOS And OS X

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We are pleased and excited to be opening the doors today on a completely new area on AppleVis, one that we hope will help to keep you up-to-date on the current status of accessibility on iOS and OS X.

As AppleVis has grown and evolved over the past 5 years, we’re aware that it’s become increasingly more difficult to keep track of what accessibility-related problems have been reported and discussed on here.

So, to make this easier, we are pleased to announce the launch of The AppleVis Accessibility Bug Database.

What Apple Unleashed at the October Event

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Unleashed

Today was Apple's second big event in as many months, this time entitled "Unleashed." Instead of iPhones and Apple Watches, as were the focus in September, this was all about the Macs. Well, Macs and AirPods. If you are one who wants the power of a true pro-level MacBook, and the M1-powered models already available just didnt' do it for you, you're going to love this. If you're a fan of AirPods, but have wished for a refreshed version, you will also find something of interest.

What We Got from Apple's October 2016 Event

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Hello Again

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.

What's New and Changed for Blind and Low Vision Users in iOS 7.1

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iOS 7.1 is now available for download via Over-the-Air Update and iTunes.
 
Since November of last year, members of the AppleVis Editorial Team have been busy testing iOS 7.1 in all stages of the beta process.

What's New in iOS 11 Accessibility for Blind, Low Vision and Deaf-Blind Users

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iOS 11 has arrived for users of the iPhone 5S and later; the iPad fifth generation and later; and the iPod Touch 6th Generation. Mainstream changes such as the revamped Control Center, new HomeKit options, the new Files app, and many other enhancements have been added.

What's New In iOS 13 Accessibility For Individuals Who Are Blind or Deaf-Blind

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introduction

It's September, and that means a lot of things. For users of iOS devices, it's time for a new major iOS update.

What's New in iOS 15 Accessibility for Blind and DeafBlind Users

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Introduction

Another Autumn means another release of iOS. Just like releases of iOS dating back to 2009, this release brings a lot of new features and functions for blind and DeafBlind users. Major changes in iOS 15 include a new Focus Mode, several enhancements with FaceTime, the ability to use Siri for certain tasks while offline, and much more. Many blogs will be highlighting these enhancements to iOS, so I will not discuss them in great detail here. This article covers accessibility features impacting individuals who are blind or DeafBlind.

What's New in iOS 17 Accessibility For Blind and Deaf-Blind Users

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It's difficult to believe that iOS will be turning into a legal adult next fall, though the iOS 17 upgrade is far from being minor. Many new features and functions will be available for everyone. To check out some of the mainstream changes, Apple's official iOS 17 preview page may help. Alternatively, our main post announcing iOS 17 offers a large list of mainstream enhancements as well as a list of changes in accessibility.

What's New in OS X 10.11 El Capitan for VoiceOver Users

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Today, Apple released OS X 10.11 El Capitan, a free update that will run on any Mac which supports Yosemite. Apple addressed some bugs in this release, as well as including a lot of new features in VoiceOver, and we think you'll really enjoy these updates and improvements. If you find any we missed, especially regarding braille or Zoom--which none of us have the capability to test--please leave a comment and let us know.

What’s New and Changed in iOS 9 Accessibility for Blind and Deaf-Blind Users

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Introduction

It's September, and that means my annual reminder that I’m growing older has arrived. It also means Apple is doing their annual “coming out with more new stuff,” or in my case, birthday presents. The good news is that if you have been running iOS 8, your device is going to be able to run iOS 9. As a general rule, iOS 9 seems to run about as well as iOS 8 has on other devices, so if you find the features worth upgrading to, go for it.

What’s New in iOS 10 Accessibility for Blind, Low Vision and Deaf-blind Users

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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 much more.

What’s New in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 for Blind and Deaf-Blind Users

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Fall is almost here, and in the year of unpredictability, we have something which remains consistent. iOS 14.0 is out the same week it has been in previous years. It will have a significant number of enhancements for users of the iPhone 6s and newer, as well as the iPod 7th generation. Mainstream changes include the ability to put widgets on the Home screen, an App Library, enhancements to Messages, new privacy settings, and many more. A lot of outlets will be covering these features in detail, so I will not be covering them here.

What’s New in iOS 7 Accessibility for Individuals who are Blind, Deaf-blind, or who have Low Vision

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Introduction:

Just like the last several Autumn seasons, this one comes with another new iOS release. And just like other releases, this release brings a lot of new features and functions to supported iDevices. Major changes include enhancements to Siri, a new Control Center available from anywhere within the OS giving you instant access to several essential controls, a revamped Notifications Center, and much more. Many blogs and Apple themselves will be highlighting these new enhancements to iOS, so I will not discuss them in great detail.

What’s New in iOS 8 Accessibility for Blind, Low-Vision, and Deaf-Blind Users

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Introduction

It's fall, which means it's time for another iOS update to fall on to your iDevices. That is, if you are using an iPhone 4S or later, iPad 2 or later, or iPod Touch fifth generation or later. This year, Apple introduces a lot of new mainstream features such as the ability to share purchased items with family members on joint accounts with the iTunes and App Store, the further harmonization of iOS and OS X, interactive notifications, wifi calling - just to name a few.

Why the Touch Bar May Keep this VoiceOver User Away from a New MacBook Pro

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Since it's launch was announced last month, I had been keen to spend some hands-on time with Apple's latest MacBook Pro.

I was curious to find out just how much thinner, lighter and faster it would be compared to my current MacBook Pro; and to test the ‘improved’ keyboard and larger trackpad. But, what I most wanted to try was the Touch Bar; the multi-touch enabled display which has replaced the physical function keys on all but one model in the 2016 MacBook Pro range.

Wondering What Else is New in iOS 7.1? Here are the Complete Release Notes

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We;ve already posted about the changes and improvements in iOS 7.1 for blind and low vision users, but thought that you would also like to know what else to be looking out for in this latest update.

Workflow App Wins Prestigious Apple Design Award Because of its Outstanding Accessibility

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Every year at its Worldwide Developers’ Conference (WWDC), Apple celebrates and acknowledges through its Apple Design Awards the mobile and desktop apps which raise the bar in design, technology and innovation.

WWDC 2013 Keynote Highlights

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Below is a list of the major highlights from today's WWDC keynote, compiled from the twitter feed of AppleVis Editorial Team member Michael Hansen. Other sources include the live blogs from Macworld, 9 to 5 Mac, and Mac Rumors.