Apple is revolutionizing accessibility with new features for iPads and iPhones, catering to a diverse range of user needs. The tech giant unveiled these groundbreaking announcements ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, showcasing their commitment to inclusivity.
One of the most exciting features is the built-in eye-tracking technology, eliminating the need for additional devices. Users can now control their devices using the front-facing camera, leveraging AI to understand gestures like swiping and tapping. Dwell Control further enhances this experience by sensing when a user’s gaze pauses on an element, indicating their selection.
“Vocal Shortcuts” introduces a new way to interact with devices through voice commands, allowing users to assign sounds or words to launch shortcuts. This feature is especially beneficial for individuals with conditions affecting speech, such as cerebral palsy or ALS. Additionally, Apple has improved speech recognition with “Listen for Atypical Speech,” catering to unique speech patterns.
For users who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, “Music Haptics” offers a new way to experience Apple Music through vibrations and textures. This feature will also be available for developers to integrate into their music apps, providing a more accessible audio experience.
Apple’s commitment to accessibility extends to motion sickness in cars with the introduction of “Vehicle Motion Cues,” which helps alleviate discomfort by providing animated dots that move in the direction of motion. Updates to CarPlay include features like “Voice Control,” “Color Filters” for colorblind users, and “Sound Recognition” for alerting deaf users to car horns and sirens.
Furthermore, Apple announced an upcoming accessibility feature for visionOS that will enable live captions during FaceTime calls, enhancing communication for individuals with hearing impairments. With these innovative advancements, Apple is setting a new standard for inclusive technology.