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Apple’s October event puts accessibility center stage

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Apple’s October event puts accessibility center stage

To me, Apple’s October event had a clear theme: accessibility.

Everything I saw at Town Hall during October’s Mac event had relevance in terms of accessibility. The Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro is the most obvious candidate, but there’s something to be said for the Apple TV’s new TV app, too. Like all of Apple’s products, accessibility will play a big role in telling each’s story. And it’s worth people’s attention.

In a less concrete sense, the video that opened the presentation and the new accessibility page announced for Apple’s website speak volumes about Apple’s commitment in this area. As I’ve written numerous times, Apple leads the industry in creating best-of-breed assistive technology for people with disabilities. They care. That’s why it was great to see the video and hear Tim Cook remind us that accessibility matters to them. It’s part of the design process from the beginning, which is why you see glimmers of potential in everything with an Apple logo on it.

As a person…

To me, Apple's October event had a transparent theme: accessibility.

The whole thing I noticed at The city Corridor throughout October's Mac event had relevance on the subject of accessibility. The Contact Bar at the MacBook Pro is the obvious candidate, however there is something to be stated for the Apple TV's new TV app, too. Like several of Apple's merchandise, accessibility will play a large position in telling each and every's tale. And it is value other folks's consideration.

In a much less concrete sense, the video that opened the presentation and the new accessibility page introduced for Apple's website online talk volumes about Apple's dedication on this field. As I have written a large number of occasions, Apple leads the business in developing best-of-breed assistive generation for folks with disabilities. They care. That is why it used to be nice to peer the video and listen to Tim Prepare dinner remind us that accessibility issues to them. It is a part of the design procedure from the start, which is why you spot glimmers of possible in the entirety with an Apple emblem on it.

As an individual with disabilities, it warmed my center to peer and listen to this up shut.

The Contact Bar

I were given about 5 mins with the MacBook Professional within the hands-area, and I left very inspired with the brand new Contact Bar.

I want high quality time to check it, in fact, however my preliminary impact is that the Contact Bar goes to be nice for folks with bodily motor delays. The use of keyboard shortcuts may also be problematic because of this, and the Contact Bar successfully erases the problem.

As an alternative of urgent Command-N to compose a brand new e mail, as an example, all any person must do now's faucet the Compose icon at the toolbar. macOS does have the Sticky Keys accessibility function that is helping with keyboard mixtures, however I feel the Contact Bar is a good higher answer.

The one downsides I see with the Contact Bar are twofold. First, the bar is slightly small with a large number of icons on display, so folks with sure imaginative and prescient impairments will have hassle that specialize in what they want. An overabundance of things can also be complicated; it may be more difficult to bodily monitor buttons, which can result in eye pressure and frustration. Secondly, there is a large number of tapping and swiping in a small area, so somebody with out exact fine-motor regulate would possibly run into problem navigating the menus.

The Apple TV's upcoming TV app

Complete disclosure: I should not have an Apple TV as a result of I nonetheless do not have a high-definition tv at house. Hi from the 20th century!

That stated, the brand new TV app is just right — no less than in principle — as it consolidates what is to be had and what you'll be able to watch right into a unmarried subject. From an accessibility viewpoint, that is essential as it saves attainable bodily pressure brought about via having to sift thru a host of menus to observe one thing. If you are visually impaired, you wish to have to save lots of as a lot power as imaginable; you do not want to make your eyes harm by way of having to seek for an app or whatnot. (Sure, you'll be able to use Siri, however the level nonetheless stands.)

Backside Line

I am thankful I used to be in a position to wait what most probably used to be Town Hall's last hurrah. It used to be a just right event, and really fascinating when it comes to accessibility. I am excited to take a look at out the brand new merchandise on a extra long-term foundation quickly and notice if my preliminary hypotheses turn out right kind.

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