I've just added a new page to this site that lists iOS apps developed specifically for the blind or people with low vision.
With the benefit of hindsight, this seems like something that we should have done some time ago, but they do say better late than never ... right? <smile>
The list does not include games, as I feel that these would not sit comfortably on this list. The apps that are included all offer functionality and features that are not available from…
I'm not sure if you listen to Harry Shearer's interesting weekend program Le Show, but his May 20th show is much more interesting as he uses Siri several times during the 1-hour program to remind us all of the weaknesses of artificial intelligence. The show starts with a humorous conversation between Harry and Siri. and Siri also shows up a few more times throughout the program, but her final appearance in the form of a conversation with "…
When I heard the news of the release of iOS 5, I didn't own an iDevice. However, I was thrilled to know that it'll provide Premium voices as well as the previous ones which are now called Compact voices. So I was looking forward to trying them as soon as I got my iPhone 4S. I used to think that my 4S came with the Premium voices though I didn't have the "Use compact voice" option under Settings->General->Accessibility->VoiceOver -- I was wrong. Honestly, I was mistaken partly because I was…
As I finished reading How the Blind Are Reinventing the iPhone in The Atlantic, I couldn't resist sharing it with you. I'm pleased to see that Apple's access-oriented efforts are deservedly being brought into the limelight. It'll also help developers become fully aware of access issues and the infrastructure which is available to them if they wish to work…
Every two weeks, our team will hand-pick an app from the past two weeks that we believe is a must-download for your iPhone or iPad. These apps will always be from various categories, but they are chosen because our own team members love them and have been using them daily. So here is this week’s pick! Enjoy!
0 comments : last update or comment 6 years 2 months ago
We are pleased to announce that the latest iOS app to be inducted into our App Hall of Fame is Papa Sangre.
In a very tight vote, Papa Sangre edged out a number of other iOS games to become only the 14th inductee.
For those of you not familiar with this app, Papa Sangre is a dark and engrossing video game that is made unique by not having any video. Instead, you use only your ears…
It's comforting to know that a mainstream application we're purchasing is accessible; however, it's more outstanding to know that the developer of such an application is just an email away, ready to listen to our concerns and make the necessary modifications. The other day I was using 4 comments : last update or comment 6 years 2 months ago
This month we are encouraging you all to support our campaign to make the SiriusXM Internet Radio app accessible to VoiceOver users.
For those of you who aren't familiar with SiriusXM, it is a subscription-based service that offers more than 140 commercial-free radio channels to listeners in the United States. There are several ways to access the service, which has dedicated channels for a wide range of interests, including music, sport, talk, entertainment, news, comedy…
When I heard the news of the recently released $0.99 Bluetooth OnOff app, an application which allows iOS users to turn bluetooth on and off quickly without going to Settings/General/Bluetooth, some thoughts came to my mind. First and foremost, I hope Apple doesn't remove this app from the App Store as it's quite easier to alter a feature like Bluetooth this way without delving into Settings. I also hope to see the same official apps for the WiFi and the Airplane mode switch. After all, it's…
Every two weeks, our team will hand-pick an app from the past two weeks that we believe is a must-download for your iPhone or iPad. These apps will always be from various categories, but they are chosen because our own team members love them and have been using them daily. So here is this week’s pick! Enjoy!
1 comments : last update or comment 6 years 2 months ago
When it comes to adding to the list of the benefits of owning an iDevice, some don't hesitate to mention excellent tech support. That's intriguing enough, but the proof of the proverbial putting is in the actual eating. As some of you might remember, a while ago I posted a review for the unusable New Oxford American Dictionary. Simply put, I love dictionaries and always want to try new and…
When MultiTap Text was released a few days ago on the App Store, I found the description quite intriguing and thought it can easily supplant a physical keyboard in most -- if not all -- circumstances:
Stop struggling with the iPhone QWERTY! With MultiTap Text, texting is a breeze! Multitap Text application allows you to enter text using a numeric keypad instead of iPhone’s default keyboard. You can…
Apple and Google love their mobile operating systems. They do their best to convince users that their way of implementing features is better than the competition. Of course, therein lies a fundamental difference. Apple uses iOS on its own handsets and iDevices but Google practically gives away Android to hardware manufacturers -- to every company which wants to utilize and modify it.
It's no secret that Android is a fragmented operating system and some even call Android's status quo…
The March vote for induction into our iOS App Hall of Fame was a landmark for being the first ever where every single nominee received multiple votes. It also saw the clearest winner, with ooTunes Radio gaining significantly more votes than all the other nominees.
So, with such overwhelming support, we are pleased to add ooTunes Radio to the small and very select…
First and foremost, I admit that I love the double-tap approach Apple has implemented in VoiceOver. However, as one becomes more and more familiar with certain apps, it would be quicker to locate a button or link and then activate it via a single tap instead of two. Imagine being able to flick around left or right to find something and then tap once to activate it.
So I suggest that a new setting called "Simple tap to activate" be added to the VoiceOver section of the Accessibility…
As someone who lives outside the USA, I've always been fascinated by the concept of Public Radio and NPR in particular. I discovered NPR in 2003 as an English M.A. student, and it's always been my favorite radio channel -- accessible via satellite and recently via the Internet.
When I made my move to the iOS, I was surprised by the plethora and accessibility of Public Radio applications. So the iOS is by no means suffering from a shortage of accessible radio apps in general and free…
Yes, it's too big a dilemma to be ignored by VoiceOver users. While sighted iOS users can easily rely on app reviews to determine if an application works the way they want, VoiceOver users should solely rely on websites such as AppleVis -- the most comprehensive repository of app reviews from the viewpoint of the visually impaired, a couple of email lists and the very occasional mention of VoiceOver support on the App Store before making a purchase.…
Well, had it not been for the unusability of many Reference apps, I'd have mentioned this first. Any decent and feature-rich screen reader should provide a pronunciation editor. All TTS engines have their own pronunciation problems or quirks and VoiceOver's TTS engine (called Nuance…
As I’m gradually adding apps to my iPhone 4S and enjoying the extensive features and gestures provided by VoiceOver, I thought I’d add my desired features which might be considered by Apple for inclusion in future releases of iOS. Of course, I use the phrase “iOS 6” here and in the rest of posts dedicated to this topic because it seems the most logical release of the OS which can accommodate my features; however, there would be nothing wrong with implementing one or…