Apple has announced a suite of accessibility updates coming later this year across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro, including a quick accessibility overview for apps and updates to existing features.
New Apple Accessibility Features
First of all, App Store will introduce Accessibility Nutrition Labels to give users an overview an app’s accessibility features before downloading; macOS also gets the Magnifier app – previously exclusive to iPhones and iPads – which uses device cameras for enhanced visual access and includes document reading via Desk View. Besides that, the new Accessibility Reader will reformat text for improved legibility and is integrated system-wide.
Braille Access will offer a full-featured braille note-taking experience across Apple devices, supporting app launching, note-taking, Nemeth Braille calculations, and reading BRF files. It also features real-time conversation transcription through Live Captions on braille displays. Additionally, Live Captions are coming to Apple Watch, allowing users to view live transcriptions from iPhone audio directly on their wrist.
For the Vision Pro, the mixed reality headset will gain enhanced vision accessibility features in its visionOS operating system, including improved Zoom, as well as object recognition, and document reading via the VoiceOver feature. Approved third-party apps will be able to access API of Vision Pro’s main camera for real-time assistance features as well.
Other highlights include improved Personal Voice generation with faster setup and expanded language support, new input methods such as Head Tracking and Eye Tracking enhancements, and broader language support for Live Captions. In conjunction with Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the company will feature related content across its services, including Apple Music, Fitness+, TV+, and the App Store.
Pokdepinion: Hopefully Google has similar features as well, as it benefits everyone.
