Apple announced a slew of fresh accessibility features that would come out later this year for the iPhone and iPad, including Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, Vocal Shortcuts, and more. These will empower users with diverse needs, from physical disabilities to hearing impairments to motion sensitivities.
Apple CEO Tim Cook commented that his company is set on pushing the boundaries of technology while focusing on delivering the best user experience for all its customers.
Of all the coming features, probably the most revolutionary addition is Eye Tracking, which will soon provide a new means for users who are physically constrained to control their devices using just their gaze. Meanwhile, Music Haptics leverages the iPhone's Tactic Engine to offer an unparalleled physical music experience for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Vocal Shortcuts introduces a new way to get things done using personalized audio prompts, while Vehicle Motion Cues aim to reduce motion sickness when using mobile devices.
According to Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, these features will change people's lives around the world, opening new avenues of communication, device control, and navigation for them.
Apple also revealed upcoming accessibility features for visionOS, including Live Captions systemwide. These captions greatly enable inclusivity through the assistance they provide in following spoken dialogue in live conversations and in-app audio for users, especially those with hearing impairments.
Live Captions for FaceTime on visionOS are poised to further democratize communication and make collaborative experiences more accessible for even more users on whatever platform they prefer.
In addition, Apple Vision Pro will introduce features such as caption placement adjustment during Apple Immersive Video, expanded compatibility with Made for iPhone hearing devices, and compatibility with cochlear hearing processors—all to make accessibility available across a wider array of devices and situations.
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