Apple has unveiled a series of new accessibility features for iPhone and iPad, scheduled to launch next year, possibly with iOS 17. These innovative features aim to enhance the daily lives of individuals with cognitive, visual, auditory, and mobility challenges, integrating both hardware functions and machine learning.
Among the new features is Assistive Access, a mode simplifying apps to their essential functions and adjusting elements like button sizes and text. For instance, it merges the Phone and FaceTime apps into one, streamlines the camera app, and simplifies the Messages app.
Another groundbreaking feature, Live Speech, is designed for individuals unable to speak or at risk of losing their speech ability. Users can type on-screen, and the iPhone will voice out the text. It also allows saving common phrases and creating a “personal voice”.
The iOS 17 update will also introduce improved accessibility features like the iPhone’s Magnifier app reading aloud button labels when pointed at, and linking Made for iPhone hearing devices to a Mac. The update also includes phonetic suggestions for text editing in Voice Control, game control capabilities in Switch Control, pausing moving images like GIFs, and adjustable Siri speaking speed in VoiceOver.
