Apple's Announcements Impact on Accessibility

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bFDdj8zS-A4?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /></div>This week <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/apple-announces-october-22th-event.html">Apple</a> announced a variety of new hardware and software products at media event. While <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/apple-announces-october-22th-event.html">Apple</a> executives didn't devote stage time to accessibility announcements as they have in years past, the announcements still impact accessibility and assistive technology.<br /><br /><b>Mac</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www9.pcmag.com/media/images/388573-mac-os-x-mavericks.jpg?thumb=y" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www9.pcmag.com/media/images/388573-mac-os-x-mavericks.jpg?thumb=y" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/apple-announces-october-22th-event.html">Apple</a> previewed OS X Mavericks at their World Wide Developers Conference (<a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/04/apple-to-update-os-x-and-ios-at-wwdc.html">WWDC</a>) in June. This week Apple released the <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/mac-os-x-lion-includes-new.html">Mac</a> operating system to the public and announced that it would be a free update. Like iOS 7, Mavericks includes some exciting <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/amazon-improves-accessibility-features.html">accessibility</a> improvements including <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/os-x-mavericks-enhanced-dictation.html">enhanced dictation</a> and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/os-x-mavericks-includes-switch-control.html">Switch Control</a>. Click to read more about each new feature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>iPad</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.apple.com/pr/products/images/iPadminiRD_Svr_PSR_PF_PB_HERO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="255" src="http://images.apple.com/pr/products/images/iPadminiRD_Svr_PSR_PF_PB_HERO.jpg" title="Image of white and silver iPad mini with Retina display" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The main focus of the event was updated iPads. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/apple-announces-october-22th-event.html">Apple</a> released a new full size iPad named iPad Air. The iPad Air is considerably thinner and lighter than the previous full size <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/apple-announces-ipad-mini.html">iPad</a>. In addition to the slimmer design Apple included the new A7 processor which increases performance. The <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/apple-announces-ipad-mini.html">iPad mini</a> was also updated to include a higher quality retina display and is now called the iPad mini with Retina display. Notably, the new iPads don't include Apple's new <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-touch-id-fingerprint-sensor-on-new.html">Touch ID</a> finger print sensor that debut on the iPhone 5s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Updated Apps</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apple updated their iLife and iWork software for both the Mac and iOS devices. The updates have some useful new features, but I have not found any new accessibility features in these updates. Notably, Apple's education focused <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-in-ios-7-system-wide-large-type.html">iOS</a> apps <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/ibooks-update-adds-useful-new-features.html">iBooks</a> and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-itunes-u-app-perfect-for-students.html">iTunes U</a> were not updated. I'm hopeful that these apps will be updated soon and include new features. In particular, I hope Apple adds improved <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/have-you-ever-wondered-how-text-to.html">text-to-speech</a> integration for iBooks. In particular I hope a "read" or "speak" button will be added to allow continuous text-to-speech with highlighting for all books. Currently continuous <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/have-you-ever-wondered-how-text-to.html">text-to-speech</a> with highlighting is not possible in iBooks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>iOS 7.0.3</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">iOS 7.0.3 is a minor update to <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-in-ios-7-system-wide-large-type.html">iOS 7</a> but the new release includes a few accessibility improvements. In <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-in-ios-7-system-wide-large-type.html">iOS</a> 7.0.3 the reduce motion accessibility setting decreases navigation animations. This is designed to limit motion sickness that some users reported after updating to iOS 7. iOS 7.0.3 also includes <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/05/kindle-app-for-ios-updated-with.html">VoiceOver</a> fixes for a sensitivity issue that was present in previous versions of iOS 7.</div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Apple To Preview Updated OS X and iOS at WWDC Likely With New Accessibility Features

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://devimages.apple.com.edgekey.net/wwdc/images/wwdc13-about-main.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="WWDC Logo" border="0" height="202" src="https://devimages.apple.com.edgekey.net/wwdc/images/wwdc13-about-main.jpg" title="WWDC MMXIII" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/apple-to-hold-special-event-on-october.html">Apple</a> announced that they will hold their annual <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/05/apple-to-introduce-new-software-with.html">WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference)</a> on June 10th at the Moscone West in San Francisco. WWDC 2013 is expected to showcase <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/assistive-touch-improvements-in-ios-6.html">iOS</a> 7 and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/apple-releases-os-x-mountain-lion-with.html">OS X</a> 10.9. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/11/nook-app-for-ios-updated-to-support.html">iOS</a> is Apple's operating system for <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/09/best-apps-for-your-new-iphone-5.html">iPhone</a>, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/04/ireadwrite-ipad-app-word-processing-for.html">iPad</a>, and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/09/brand-new-ipod-touch-announced.html">iPod Touch</a> and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/mac-os-x-lion-includes-new.html">OS X</a> is Apple's operating system for <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/mac-os-x-lion-includes-new.html">Mac</a> computers. This year's <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/watch-apple-announce-ios-6.html">WWDC</a> keynote will give users a preview of the new features coming to their Apple devices in the coming months.<br /><br />Last year at WWDC Apple previewed <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/assistive-touch-improvements-in-ios-6.html">iOS 6</a> with new <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/ios-5-camera-accessibility.html">accessibility</a> features including <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-is-guided-access.html">Guided Access</a>, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-use-ios-6-speak-selection-with.html">Speak Selection</a> with highlighting, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/assistive-touch-improvements-in-ios-6.html">Assistive Touch</a> improvements, and much more. Apple devoted a portion of their WWDC 2012 keynote to iOS accessibility. These features were added to the already robust accessibility features for iOS. If Apple sticks to the pattern as they have in years past iOS 7 will also include new and improved accessibility features. OS X 10.9 is rumored to include Siri integration among other features. WWDC will follow <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/google-dictionary-defines-any-word-on.html">Google I/O</a> by a little more than a month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To learn more about iOS 6 and OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><a name="more"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j5BRsh8Dwgg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6NOarJig6y5GluwvK3-QRqPAgURdXR1-s4cb8NsIs4-1Blh4CFQFwlPcdTVTwxrDWFoP9Cb4LBDvJ3RdvFP1KuTe2-PViaa91iAEh5K8W48X3TN8-oJvYUlpyYNFS46-BudC3l9ZN2k/s1600/ios7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6NOarJig6y5GluwvK3-QRqPAgURdXR1-s4cb8NsIs4-1Blh4CFQFwlPcdTVTwxrDWFoP9Cb4LBDvJ3RdvFP1KuTe2-PViaa91iAEh5K8W48X3TN8-oJvYUlpyYNFS46-BudC3l9ZN2k/s200/ios7.jpeg" title="iOS 7 Icon" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cgN1fuVYb9c?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Apple To Hold Special Event On October 23

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/apple-ipad-mini-launch-announced-official.jpeg?w=704" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="colorful design with white apple logo at bottom" border="0" height="321" src="http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/apple-ipad-mini-launch-announced-official.jpeg?w=704" title="We've got a little more to show you." width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">Apple</a> issued invitations to select members of the media for an October 23 special event. The event will begin at 10 AM pacific. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/apple-releases-os-x-mountain-lion-with.html">Apple</a> is rumored to announce a new smaller <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">iPad</a> dubbed iPad Mini and possibly updated Macs. If the rumors are to be believed an iPad Mini could be a great device for education because of its smaller size and rumored lower price point. No matter what <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/apple-releases-os-x-mountain-lion-with.html">Apple</a> announces on the 23rd chances are that it will have accessibility features to make it usable for those with disabilities. Check back on the 23rd to learn about <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">Apple's</a> announcement and the <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/apple-releases-os-x-mountain-lion-with.html">accessibility</a> implications.</div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

iOS 6, iPhone 5 and iPad Mini Expected In Coming Weeks

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/24081_3_rumortt_apple_macbook_pro_redesign_keeps_pro_style_just_thinner_sports_usb_3_retina_display_full.jpeg?w=657&h=457" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="277" src="http://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/24081_3_rumortt_apple_macbook_pro_redesign_keeps_pro_style_just_thinner_sports_usb_3_retina_display_full.jpeg?w=657&h=457" title="Tim Cook with hand raise in front of slide saying "There's a lot to look forward to"" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">Apple</a> is widely rumored to be preparing to release a new <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/prizmo-vs-textdetective-ocr-iphone-app.html">iPhone</a>, an all new smaller iPad Mini and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/today-apple-announced-ios-6-new-update.html">iOS 6</a> with numerous <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/ios-6-guided-access-accessibility.html">accessibility</a> improvements.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>iOS 6: </b><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/today-apple-announced-ios-6-new-update.html">iOS 6</a> has been previewed by <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/reminder-wwdc-kicks-off-monday-june-11.html">Apple</a> at <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/reminder-wwdc-kicks-off-monday-june-11.html">WWDC</a> and will be released this fall. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/watch-apple-announce-ios-6.html">iOS 6</a> includes over 200 new features including new accessibility features such as Guided Access and word highlights with speak selection. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/watch-apple-announce-ios-6.html">iOS</a> is the operating system that runs on the iPhone, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/kurzweil-3000-firefly-ipad-app-released.html">iPad</a> and iPod Touch. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/ios-6-guided-access-accessibility.html">Guided Access</a> will allow teachers and parents to lock the child into a single app and control what features of the app the child could use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>iPhone 5:</b> Unlike <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/watch-apple-announce-ios-6.html">iOS 6</a> the iPhone 5 has not been confirmed by Apple. But according to leaks and past history it is likely that the <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/watch-apple-announce-ios-6.html">iPhone</a> will be coming out it mid September. The iPhone 5 is likely to have a larger screen, a better camera and a faster processor.  </div><br /><b>iPad Mini:</b> Like the iPhone 5 the iPad Mini has not be confirmed by Apple. The iPad Mini is rumored to have smaller screen than the current iPad. The smaller size will allow Apple to lower the price compared to the iPad. If the rumors are correct the iPad Mini will be perfect for schools.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pocketfullofapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ios-6-icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://pocketfullofapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ios-6-icon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii