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Apple has today released iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 to the public.

Our experience is that the following accessibility bugs have been resolved or significantly addressed in iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2:

• When navigating a list of emails in a folder in the Mail app and previews are enabled, VoiceOver will no longer on occasions speak the wrong…

Apple has today released iOS 16.1.1, iPadOS 16.1.1, and macOS Ventura 13.0.1 with bug fixes.

It is not known which specific bugs are fixed in these releases, as Apple's release notes only say that each update "includes bug fixes and security updates."

At the time of posting, it is unclear whether these updates contain any fixes, changes or regressions specific to blind and low vision users. If you do notice any changes to VoiceOver, Braille or low vision features…

Apple today announced the launch of the iPad 10, featuring a new all-screen design.

The new iPad offers a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which according to Apple “delivers even faster performance with incredible power efficiency for demanding tasks while still providing all-day battery life.”

The…

Apple today announced the next generation of Apple TV 4K. The new model is powered by the A15 Bionic chip and has support for HDR10+

According to Apple, the new Apple TV 4K uses nearly 30 percent less power than the previous generation due to the efficiency gains of its A15 Bionic chip — the same chip as the iPhone 13. The new chip has also enabled Apple to eliminate the…

Apple has today released macOS Monterey 12.6 and macOS Big Sur 11.7 with security fixes.

According to MacRumors, macOS 12.6 “addresses a number of kernel vulnerabilities as well as issues with maps, iMovie, ATS, MediaLibrary, and PackageKit.”

Reportedly, one kernel vulnerability was actively exploited, which means that it is important for all ‌macOS Monterey‌ users to update to the new…

Apple has today released watchOS 9, mostly bringing iterative enhancements to existing features Rather than big changes.

Amongst the enhancements are new and revamped watch faces, new views and metrics for the Workout app, more data gathered by your watch when sleep tracking, and a new Medications app for keeping track of any medication that you take.

For VoiceOver users, Apple has added several new voice options. With the exception of Eloquence, our experience suggests that…

Apple has today released tvOS 16, bringing what at best can be described as small, incremental changes for the Apple TV.

Apple said nothing about tvOS 16 during its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote presentation or in its recent Far Out event, so it comes as no surprise that…

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…

Introduction

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…

Intro

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.

iPhone 14

As it has done in the last couple years, Apple introduced four new iPhones. The news wasn't all good…

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:

• TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in-progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward
• Fixes an issue in Safari…

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:

• When editing an email in the Mail app using a braille display, after inserting a line break focus will no longer jump to the top of the…

The 2022 WWDC Keynote

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.

iOS and iPad OS

Let's begin with the iPhone and iPad. The below features are…

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…

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…

Apple has today released iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, macOS Monterey 12.4, watchOS 8.6, tvOS 15.5, and HomePod Software 15.5.

Apple says that iOS 15.5 includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

• Wallet now enables Apple Cash customers to send and request money from their Apple Cash card
• Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones
• Fixes an issue where home automations, triggered by…

This review was completed after 10 days of use. Most of my comparison will be with the iPhone SE 2, since that was the phone I had been using previously. For the sake of clarity, when referring to the previous generation of iPhone SE released in 2020, it will be referred to as the iPhone SE 2. Apple refers to the current model of iPhone SE simply by that name. This was also true of the first and second generation.

The iPhone SE 3 is a…

Apple has today released iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1, macOS Monterey 12.3.1, watchOS 8.5.1, tvOS 15.4.1, and HomePod Software 15.4.1.

Apple says that iOS 15.4.1 includes the following bug fixes:

• Battery may drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4
• Braille devices may become unresponsive while navigating text or displaying an alert
• Made for iPhone hearing devices may lose connection within some third-party apps…

Apple has today released macOS Monterey 12.3, watchOS 8.5, tvOS 15.4, and HomePod software 15.4 to the public.

Our testing suggests that the following issues have been addressed in macOS Monterey 12.3:

• It is now possible to select text in the Photos app using VoiceOver by focusing on a block of text and choosing "Select" from the Actions menu.
• …

Apple has today released iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4, bringing a slew of new features and enhancements.

Our experience is that the following bugs specific to VoiceOver and braille users have been resolved or significantly addressed in these releases:

• When speaking a notification on the Lock Screen or Notification Center, VoiceOver will no…