Apple announced several new accessibility-focused features for iPhone and iPad devices on Wednesday. The company regularly introduces new accessibility features to make its devices easier for people with physical disabilities to use.
This year, the tech giant will introduce a new eye tracking feature that will allow users to control their devices using only eye movements. Additionally, music haptics allows users to experience music through vibrations, and voice shortcuts allow users to perform tasks with custom sounds.
This feature was announced via a post in the company’s newsroom. “We are pleased to work with Apple to support our customers,” said Sarah Hellinger, senior director of global accessibility policies and initiatives at Apple. These new features will impact the lives of a wide range of users and provide new ways to communicate, control devices, and navigate the world. ”
First, the eye tracking feature gives users a built-in option to control their iPhone and iPad using only eye movements. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the feature uses a front-facing camera that can be adjusted to the user’s eyes and on-device machine learning (ML) features that track the eyes to improve how users use the phone To ease disabilities The company says it cannot access user data.
Music Haptics is another new feature that offers the hearing impaired a unique way to experience music. This feature on iPhone uses the Taptic Engine to play taps, textures, and vibrations in time with the sound of your music. According to Apple, this feature allows you to stream millions of songs in the Apple Music catalog. It will also be available as an API for developers to integrate into their music apps.
Subsequently, audio shortcuts for iPhone and iPad users are designed to help people suffering from audio problems. It allows users to set custom phrases that Siri understands to launch shortcuts and complete tasks. Additionally, a new feature called Vehicle Motion Cues adds moving dots to the edges of the screen to reduce the sensory gap between what people see and what they feel. Citing research, Apple has stated that this difference is a leading cause of motion sickness and that this feature can alleviate such symptoms.
In addition, CarPlay also has voice control, voice recognition and color filters to help users with various disabilities. Apple’s newest product line, Vision Pro, also includes system-wide live closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
