Apple will release new accessibility features later this year ‘Personal Voice’ that allows you to create a personal voice in 15 minutes and communicate with ‘your own voice’, etc.

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

Related articles
・ Apple has decided to hold “WWDC23” from June 5 to June 9. The next operating system will be announced as iOS 17
・Things expected to be announced at WWDC23 New OS such as iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, rumored “Reality Pro (temporary name)” XR headset announced?

(photo: Apple)

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Pay, Apple Watch, FaceTime, GarageBand, HomePod, iMovie, iPad, iPhone, iPhoto, iSight, iTunes and Retina are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the United States and other countries.
* The iPhone trademark is used under license from Aiphone Co., Ltd.
* The App Store, AppleCare, and iCloud are service marks of Apple Inc.