{"id":63588,"date":"2024-05-27T09:41:46","date_gmt":"2024-05-27T01:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=63588"},"modified":"2024-05-27T09:41:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-27T01:41:49","slug":"apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking-music-haptics-and-vocal-shortcuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2024\/05\/27\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking-music-haptics-and-vocal-shortcuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple announces new accessibility features, including Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Apple announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Eye Tracking, a way for users with physical disabilities to control iPad or iPhone with their eyes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, Music Haptics will offer a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music using the Taptic Engine in iPhone; Vocal Shortcuts will allow users to perform tasks by making a custom sound; Vehicle Motion Cues can help reduce motion sickness when using iPhone or iPad in a moving vehicle; and more accessibility features will come to visionOS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These features combine the power of Apple hardware and software, harnessing Apple silicon, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to further Apple\u2019s decades-long commitment to designing products for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe believe deeply in the transformative power of innovation to enrich lives,\u201d said Tim Cook, Apple\u2019s CEO. \u201cThat\u2019s why for nearly 40 years, Apple has championed inclusive design by embedding accessibility at the core of our hardware and software. We\u2019re continuously pushing the boundaries of technology, and these new features reflect our long-standing commitment to delivering the best possible experience to all of our users.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEach year, we break new ground when it comes to accessibility,\u201d said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple\u2019s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. \u201cThese new features will make an impact in the lives of a wide range of users, providing new ways to communicate, control their devices, and move through the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eye Tracking Comes to iPad and iPhone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Powered by artificial intelligence, Eye Tracking gives users a built-in option for navigating iPad and iPhone with just their eyes. Designed for users with physical disabilities, Eye Tracking uses the front-facing camera to set up and calibrate in seconds, and with on-device machine learning, all data used to set up and control this feature is kept securely on device, and isn\u2019t shared with Apple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eye Tracking works across iPadOS and iOS apps, and doesn\u2019t require additional hardware or accessories. With Eye Tracking, users can navigate through the elements of an app and use Dwell Control to activate each element, accessing additional functions such as physical buttons, swipes, and other gestures solely with their eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Music Haptics Makes Songs More Accessible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Music Haptics is a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music on iPhone. With this accessibility feature turned on, the Taptic Engine in iPhone plays taps, textures, and refined vibrations to the audio of the music. Music Haptics works across millions of songs in the Apple Music catalog, and will be available as an API for developers to make music more accessible in their apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video muted preload=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/videos\/apple-accessibility-music-haptics\/large_2x.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Music Haptics is a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music on iPhone.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/videos\/apple-accessibility-music-haptics\/downloads\/Apple-accessibility-features-Music-Haptics.zip\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>New Features for a Wide Range of Speech<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Vocal Shortcuts, iPhone and iPad users can assign custom utterances that Siri can understand to launch shortcuts and complete complex tasks. Listen for Atypical Speech, another new feature, gives users an option for enhancing speech recognition for a wider range of speech. Listen for Atypical Speech uses on-device machine learning to recognize user speech patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Designed for users with acquired or progressive conditions that affect speech, such as cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or stroke, these features provide a new level of customization and control, building on features introduced in iOS 17 for users who are nonspeaking or at risk of losing their ability to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vocal-Shortcuts-settings.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vocal-Shortcuts-settings_inline.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"On iPhone 15 Pro, a screen reads \u201cSet Up Vocal Shortcuts\u201d and prompts the user to choose an action and record a phrase to teach their iPhone how to recognize their voice.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vocal-Shortcuts-prompt.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vocal-Shortcuts-prompt_inline.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"On iPhone 15 Pro, a screen reads \u201cSay \u2018Rings\u2019 One Last Time,\u201d and prompts the user to teach iPhone to recognize the phrase by saying it three times.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vocal-Shortcuts-alert.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vocal-Shortcuts-alert_inline.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"On iPhone 15 Pro, a user gets an alert from Vocal Shortcuts that says \u201cOpen Activity Rings.\u201d \"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cArtificial intelligence has the potential to improve speech recognition for millions of people with atypical speech, so we are thrilled that Apple is bringing these new accessibility features to consumers,\u201d&nbsp;said Mark Hasegawa-Johnson, the Speech Accessibility Project at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign\u2019s principal investigator.&nbsp;\u201cThe Speech Accessibility Project was designed as a broad-based, community-supported effort to help companies and universities make speech recognition more robust and effective, and Apple is among the accessibility advocates who made the Speech Accessibility Project possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Vehicle Motion Cues Can Help Reduce Motion Sickness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vehicle Motion Cues is a new experience for iPhone and iPad that can help reduce motion sickness for passengers in moving vehicles. Research shows that motion sickness is commonly caused by a sensory conflict between what a person sees and what they feel, which can prevent some users from comfortably using iPhone or iPad while riding in a moving vehicle. With Vehicle Motion Cues, animated dots on the edges of the screen represent changes in vehicle motion to help reduce sensory conflict without interfering with the main content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using sensors built into iPhone and iPad, Vehicle Motion Cues recognizes when a user is in a moving vehicle and responds accordingly. The feature can be set to show automatically on iPhone, or can be turned on and off in Control Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video muted preload=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/videos\/apple-accessibility-vehicle-motion-cues\/large_2x.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vehicle Motion Cues is a new experience for iPhone and iPad that can help reduce motion sickness for passengers in moving vehicles.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/videos\/apple-accessibility-vehicle-motion-cues\/downloads\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vehicle-Motion-Cues.zip\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CarPlay Gets Voice Control, More Accessibility Updates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accessibility features coming to CarPlay include Voice Control, Color Filters, and Sound Recognition. With Voice Control, users can navigate CarPlay and control apps with just their voice. With Sound Recognition, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can turn on alerts to be notified of car horns and sirens. For users who are colorblind, Color Filters make the CarPlay interface visually easier to use, with additional visual accessibility features including Bold Text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vehicle-Motion-Cues.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Vehicle-Motion-Cues_big.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"The new Sound Recognition feature in CarPlay alerts a user of a potential siren sound.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accessibility Features Coming to visionOS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year, accessibility features coming to visionOS will include systemwide Live Captions to help everyone \u2014 including users who are deaf or hard of hearing \u2014 follow along with spoken dialogue in live conversations and in audio from apps. With Live Captions for FaceTime in visionOS, more users can easily enjoy the unique experience of connecting and collaborating using their Persona. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apple Vision Pro will add the capability to move captions using the window bar during Apple Immersive Video, as well as support for additional Made for iPhone hearing devices and cochlear hearing processors. Updates for vision accessibility will include the addition of Reduce Transparency, Smart Invert, and Dim Flashing Lights for users who have low vision, or those who want to avoid bright lights and frequent flashing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Apple-Vision-Pro-Live-Captions.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Apple-Vision-Pro-Live-Captions_big.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"The Live Captions experience in visionOS is shown from an Apple Vision Pro user\u2019s point of view.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These features join the dozens of accessibility features already available in Apple Vision Pro, which offers a flexible input system and an intuitive interface designed with a wide range of users in mind. Features such as VoiceOver, Zoom, and Color Filters can also provide users who are blind or have low vision access to spatial computing, while features such as Guided Access can support users with cognitive disabilities. Users can control Vision Pro with any combination of their eyes, hands, or voice, with accessibility features including Switch Control, Sound Actions, and Dwell Control that can also help those with physical disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cApple Vision Pro is without a doubt the most accessible technology I\u2019ve ever used,\u201d said Ryan Hudson-Peralta, a Detroit-based product designer, accessibility consultant, and cofounder of Equal Accessibility LLC. \u201cAs someone born without hands and unable to walk, I know the world was not designed with me in mind, so it\u2019s been incredible to see that visionOS just works. It\u2019s a testament to the power and importance of accessible and inclusive design.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional Updates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For users who are blind or have low vision,\u00a0<strong>VoiceOver<\/strong>\u00a0will include new voices, a flexible Voice Rotor, custom volume control, and the ability to customize VoiceOver keyboard shortcuts on Mac.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Magnifier<\/strong>\u00a0will offer a new Reader Mode and the option to easily launch Detection Mode with the Action button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Braille users will get a new way to start and stay in\u00a0<strong>Braille Screen Input<\/strong>\u00a0for faster control and text editing; Japanese language availability for Braille Screen Input; support for multi-line braille with\u00a0<strong>Dot Pad<\/strong>; and the option to choose different input and output tables.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For users with low vision,\u00a0<strong>Hover Typing<\/strong>\u00a0shows larger text when typing in a text field, and in a user\u2019s preferred font and color.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For users at risk of losing their ability to speak,\u00a0<strong>Personal Voice<\/strong>\u00a0will be available in Mandarin Chinese. Users who have difficulty pronouncing or reading full sentences will be able to create a Personal Voice using shortened phrases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For users who are nonspeaking,\u00a0<strong>Live Speech<\/strong>\u00a0will include categories and simultaneous compatibility with\u00a0<strong>Live Captions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For users with physical disabilities,\u00a0<strong>Virtual Trackpad<\/strong>\u00a0for AssistiveTouch allows users to control their device using a small region of the screen as a resizable trackpad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Switch Control\u00a0<\/strong>will include the option to use the cameras in iPhone and iPad to recognize finger-tap gestures as switches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Voice Control<\/strong>\u00a0will offer support for custom vocabularies and complex words.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Magnifier-Reader-Mode.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Magnifier-Reader-Mode_big.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"The new Reader Mode in Magnifier is shown on iPhone 15 Pro.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Hover-Typing.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Hover-Typing_big.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"The Hover Typing experience is shown on iPhone 15 Pro.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Personal-Voice-in-Mandarin.zip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/newsroom\/images\/2024\/05\/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-including-eye-tracking\/article\/Apple-accessibility-features-Personal-Voice-in-Mandarin_big.jpg.large.jpg\" alt=\"The Personal Voice experience is shown in Mandarin Chinese on Mac.\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Apple<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This week, Apple is introducing new features, curated collections, and more in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Throughout the month of May, select\u00a0<strong>Apple Store locations<\/strong>\u00a0will host free sessions to help customers explore and discover accessibility features built into the products they love. Apple Piazza Liberty in Milan will feature the talent behind\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/it\/today\/event\/talk-coordown-051624\/7192194773665875456\/?sn=R667\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cAssume that I can,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0the viral campaign for World Down Syndrome Day. And available year-round at Apple Store locations globally, Today at Apple group reservations are a place where friends, families, schools, and community groups can learn about accessibility features together.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shortcuts<\/strong>\u00a0adds\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icloud.com\/shortcuts\/fb786d920177410dba03ee31b171b9a5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Calming Sounds<\/a>, which plays ambient soundscapes to minimize distractions, helping users focus or rest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit the\u00a0<strong>App Store<\/strong>\u00a0to discover\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/story\/id1744227708\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">incredible apps and games<\/a>\u00a0that promote access and inclusion for all, including the accessible App Store Award-winning game Unpacking, apps as tools for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The\u00a0<strong>Apple TV app<\/strong>\u00a0will honor trailblazing creators, performers, and activists who passionately share the experiences of people with disabilities. This year\u2019s theme is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tv.apple.com\/room\/edt.item.607f3a2b-fab0-45fb-a92a-e636f1131ca8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Remaking the World<\/a>, and each story invites viewers to envision a reality where everyone is empowered to add their voice to the greater human story.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Apple Books<\/strong>\u00a0will spotlight lived experiences of disability through curated collections of first-person narratives by disabled writers in ebook and audiobook formats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Apple Fitness+<\/strong>\u00a0workouts, meditations, and trainer tips welcome users who are deaf or hard of hearing with American Sign Language, and Time to Walk now includes transcripts in the\u00a0<strong>Apple Podcasts<\/strong>\u00a0app. Fitness+ workouts always include Audio Hints to support users who are blind or have low vision, as well as modifiers so that users of all levels can participate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Users can visit\u00a0<strong>Apple Support\u00a0<\/strong>to learn how their Apple devices can be customized using built-in accessibility features. From adapting the gestures to customizing how information is presented on a device\u2019s screen, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apple.co\/4adMekr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple Accessibility playlist<\/a>\u00a0will help users learn how to personalize Apple Vision Pro, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac to work best for them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These features combine the power of Apple hardware and software, harnessing Apple silicon, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to further Apple\u2019s decades-long commitment to designing products for everyone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":63591,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,25],"tags":[3364,96,2727,1656],"class_list":["post-63588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-headlines","category-software","tag-apple","tag-technology","tag-technology-adaption","tag-technology-investment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}