On May 16 local time, Apple announced new accessibility features for iPhone and iPad in conjunction with GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day).
New features to be implemented include Assisted Access, Live Speech, and Personalized Voice. It is designed for users who have visual, hearing, or motor impairments, or who have difficulty speaking or are at risk of losing their ability to speak.
It’s a job born out of Apple’s values of “making products for everyone.” It will be released later this year for iPhone and iPad.
Assistant access
Assistive Access reduces the user’s cognitive burden by narrowing the functions of each app such as the iPhone camera, photos, music, calls and messages to only those that are most needed.
Specifically, the “Phone”, “FaceTime”, “Messages”, “Camera”, “Photo” and “Music” applications are integrated into the “Call” application. Furthermore, we expect users with cognitive and visual impairments to be able to use the system with peace of mind by displaying high contrast and large text.
It also has a customization function, so it is possible to create an interface that suits each user. For those who prefer video calling, it offers an emoji-only keyboard and the option to record video messages to share with loved ones.
It also offers a grid-based layout for a clearer look at the main screens and applications, and a list-style layout for users who prefer text.
Direct speech
Live Speech is a new feature to support users who are unable to speak or who have lost the ability to speak over time.
Available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it allows users to type what they want to say during a phone call or FaceTime call and have it speak to them. It is also possible to memorize frequently used phrases.
Personal voice
The Personal Voice feature is useful for users with conditions that can gradually affect their ability to speak, such as users who have just been diagnosed with ALS.
With this function, you can create a personal voiceover by reading randomly displayed text on your iPhone or iPad and recording your voice for 15 minutes. It’s integrated with the “Live Speech” feature, so users can use a voice that looks exactly like themselves when speaking to someone, even if their ability to speak has been affected by illness.
Personal Audio is available for iPhone, iPad and Mac with Apple silicon. However, only English is supported, and Japanese is not supported.
The “pointing and reading” function has been introduced in the magnifier detection mode
Point and Speak helps visually impaired users understand multiple text labels on an object. This function is available from the “Magnifier” application.
For example, when using a home appliance such as a microwave oven, when a user moves a finger over the home appliance’s buttons, input from the camera app, a LiDAR scanner, and machine learning are combined on the device to write out what each button is written on. Your iPhone or iPad will read the text for you.
It will be available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese and Ukrainian on iPhones and iPads with LiDAR scanners.
Other new accessibility features
- For users who are deaf and hard of hearing, hearing aids designed for iPhones can now be paired directly with Macs and customized. Can be paired with select Macs with M1 chipsets and all Macs with M2 chipsets.
- Voice guidance has been added to edit text in the voice control function. To be able to select the correct word from similar words like ‘do’, ‘due’ and ‘dew’ on voice input. Additionally, learn tips and tricks about using voice commands instead of touch and typing on your iPhone/iPad/Mac. Available in English, Spanish, French and German.
- With Switch Control, users with physical disabilities or mobility impairments can turn any switch into a virtual game controller for playing games.
- As a function for visually impaired users, it is now possible to easily adjust the font size in Mac applications such as Finder / Messages / Mail / Calendar / Notes.
- For users sensitive to quick animations, both Messages and Safari now autopause images with dynamic GIF-like elements.
- As a benefit for users using VoiceOver, Siri’s voice sounds natural and expressive even when reading speed is increased.
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(photo: Apple)
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