Apple’s gadgets already have a number of accessibility features that make it easier for physically challenged people to use them. However, ahead of tomorrow’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple has revealed a slew of new accessibility capabilities for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users. Take a look at the details below.
Apple Announces Accessibility Enhancements
Apple just announced the new accessibility features for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watch in an official blog post. More object recognition options, such as locked doors in the Magnifier tool, a new Apple Watch Mirroring feature, and a new Live Caption capability for those who are deaf or have hearing impairments are among the new features.
Captions in Real-Time
Users with hearing problems or who are entirely deaf will benefit from the Live Captions function, which will be available soon. Google first offered this function with Android 10, and Apple has finally caught up with the Mountain View behemoth with the latest upgrade. Microsoft is also competing, having recently included Live Captions to Windows 11.
On iPhones, iPads, and Macs, the Live Captions feature enables users to turn on live subtitles for any type of audio content, including FaceTime or video calls (header picture), videos playing on a device, and even one-on-one discussions. Additionally, while utilizing Live Captions for calls on a Mac, users can enter an answer and have it read aloud to the call’s participants right away.
Doors Detection
The Door Detections feature is an enhancement to the Magnifier feature on iPhones and iPads that allows users to detect a closed or open door ahead of them on their path. It detects the door and describes its properties to customers using the LiDAR sensor on supported iPhone and iPad models.
Apple Announces Accessibility Enhancements
This function determines if a door is open or closed. It detects if it can be opened by pushing, tugging, or turning a knob if it is closed. It even reads aloud to the user the texts, signs, and symbols such as room numbers on doors. The Magnifier’s existing Image Description and People Detection features can be combined with Door Detection. However, because it relies on the LiDAR sensor, the feature is only available on iPhone and iPad devices that have the sensor.
Mirroring on Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Mirroring feature, which allows individuals with physical or motor limitations to utilize their Apple Watch with their connected iPhone, is the next feature. The functionality makes advantage of Apple’s AirPlay technology and allows users to control the Apple Watch remotely using iPhone features like Voice Control and Switch Control.
In addition to touching the Apple Watch display, it may use voice commands, sound actions, head tracking, and third-party MFi-certified switches as inputs.
Apple Announces Accessibility Enhancements
Apart from that, Apple’s VoiceOver feature now supports 20 additional languages. Bengali, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Catalan, and Vietnamese are among these languages. Other accessibility features such as Speak Screen and Speak Selection will also support these new languages.
Additionally, Apple has indicated that Siri, sound recognition, and other accessibility capabilities will be added. A new Buddy Controller feature allows users to link two game controllers to create a single controller. Its purpose is to allow disabled people to enjoy games on supported Apple devices with the help of their friends and family.
