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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…

Apple Fitness+ workouts are gaining Audio Hints, a new accessibility format developed by Apple engineering that combines VoiceOver and Apple’s Text-to-Speech synthesizer to read synchronized Timed Text over video to provide verbal cues beyond those given by the trainers.

Audio Hints are intended to supplement the trainer's spoken instructions by inserting synthesised audio cues to parts of a workout that are only demonstrated visually. This can include prompts for timing on an…

Peek Performance

Apple's first major media event of 2022 has just concluded, and there were a surprising number of big announcements. A new iPhone, new Macs, new iPad, and a new professional monitor--and the year isn't even a quarter over! You can watch it here, or read on for our summary of what was announced.

iPhone SE 3

Let's go straight to the…

Welcome to the February 2022 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which highlights what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.

New and Noteworthy App Entries

Caset:…

Apple has today released macOS Monterey 12.2.1 and watchOS 8.4.2 to the public.

Apple says that macOS 12.2.1 provides important security updates and fixes an issue for Intel-based Mac computers that may cause the battery to drain during sleep when connected to Bluetooth peripherals.

According to the watchOS 8.4.2 release notes, this version brings security updates and bug fixes for Apple Watch owners.

We've not had an opportunity to test these updates ahead of today's…

Apple has today released iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1.

Apple’s release notes say: “iOS 15.3.1 provides important security updates for your iPhone and fixes an issue that may cause Braille displays to stop responding.”

We've not had an opportunity to test these updates ahead of today's release, so do not know for sure if they do indeed resolve the bug…

Apple has today released watchOS 8.4.1 for Apple Watch Series 4 and later. We don't yet know what's included in the update, with Apple's release notes simply stating that it "includes bug fixes for Apple Watch Series 4 and later."

As this update is only available to select Apple Watch models, our expectation is that it does not contain any accessibility changes for blind and low vision users; however, if you notice any changes, improvements or regressions in your own use of this…

Welcome to the January 2022 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which highlights what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.

New and Noteworthy App Entries

Accessible…

Apple has today released macOS Monterey 12.2, watchOS 8.4, tvOS 15.3, and HomePod software 15.3 to the public. All of these releases are relatively minor in regard to user facing changes and enhancements, instead focusing on under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes.

Apple lists 13 security fixes in macOS Monterey 12.2, including patches for vulnerabilities affecting Safari, root privileges, iCloud, and more. Among these is a fix…

Apple has today released iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 to the public.

These releases are relatively minor in regard to user facing changes and enhancements, instead focusing on under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes.

Apple's release notes simply state that iOS 15.3 includes ”bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone.”

Apple lists 10 security fixes in iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3, including patches for…

On December 30th 2021, a wildfire incinerated nearly a thousand homes and retail establishments in Boulder County Colorado. I live a safe 8 miles from the destruction, but others were not as fortunate. I know many families who lost everything.

My spouse and I decided to move into my father-in-law's guest suite and rent our house to one of the displaced families. Our new tenants tell a terrifying story. A police cruiser announced "get out, now!" over a loudspeaker as it drove through…

Apple has today released iOS 15.2.1 and iPadOS 15.2.1.

According to Apple's release notes, these updates resolve the following two issues:

• Messages may not load photos sent using an iCloud Link
• Third-party CarPlay apps may not respond to input

As these appear to be minor updates, our expectation is that they do not contain any accessibility changes for blind and low vision users; however, if you notice any…

Welcome to the December 2021 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which highlights what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.

New and Noteworthy App Entries

Adventures…

Apple has today released macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3, and tvOS 15.2 to the public.

Our testing suggests that the following issues have been addressed in macOS Monterey 12.1:

• It is once again possible to unmute VoiceOver using the mute speech toggle
• …

Apple has today released iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 to the public.

Our experience is that the following accessibility bugs have been resolved or significantly addressed in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2:

• “Hey Siri” appears to now work as expected when your device is locked.
• …

We are pleased to announce that the winners of the tenth annual AppleVis Golden Apple Awards are Backpack Studio and Swordy Quest.

Since their launch in 2012, the AppleVis Golden Apple Awards have afforded blind and low vision users of Apple products an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication which developers have put into making and maintaining great and accessible applications over the given year. The respective teams behind Backpack Studio and Swordy…

We are pleased to announce that voting for the AppleVis Golden Apple Awards of 2021 is now open.

First launched in 2012, the AppleVis Golden Apples is an opportunity for blind and low vision users of Apple products to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication which developers have put into making and maintaining great and accessible applications during the given year.

Past winners of a Golden Apple include Audio…

Welcome to the November 2021 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, our monthly series which highlights what's new and noteworthy on the AppleVis website. Below, you'll find a selection of content posted to AppleVis by members of the community - from new app entries, to app updates, to the latest news and podcasts. For easier navigation, the major sections of this post are at heading level 3, and each individual item is at heading level 4.

New and Noteworthy App Entries

Audio…

Apple has today released watchOS 8.1.1. This appears to be an extremely minor update to fix a single issue with charging on the Series 7 Apple Watch.

Apple's release notes for watchOS 8.1.1 simply say:

watchOS 8.1.1 fixes an issue where Apple Watch Series 7 may not charge as expected for some users.

As this update appears to have been released to address a specific issue, our expectation is that it does not contain any accessibility…