Apple has today released watchOS 11.1 to the public, bringing bug fixes but also introducing changes to default system volume and the default behavior for the VoiceOver Volume Rotor.
While we are unsure if this is an issue that is specific to VoiceOver, our testing suggests that Apple has made some changes to the default system volume level in watchOS 11.1.
Upon updating to watchOS 11.1, users may find that the volume of their device has decreased relative to its level in…
Apple has today released iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, bringing the first set of Apple Intelligence features to compatible devices outside of the European Union and China Mainland.
For VoiceOver and braille users, our testing suggests that iOS 18.1 has both introduced new bugs and resolved some existing issues.
In iOS 18.1, our testing suggests that…
We are pleased to announce that Geovanni Bahena has joined the AppleVis Editorial Team.
In September 2024, Geovanni approached us and volunteered to use his talents to serve the AppleVis community. Geovanni is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), and he brings a wealth of both personal and professional experience with accessibility testing to the team. Geo will be assisting us with bolstering our…
Apple today introduced the new 7th generation iPad Mini, refreshing the tablet with the A17 Pro chip, (the same chip that powers the iPhone 15 Pro) as well as faster USB-C data transfer, Wi-Fi 6E support, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and an upgraded camera.
With the A17 Pro chip, the new iPad Mini features a 30% increase in CPU performance, a 25% increase in GPU performance, and a 2X faster neural engine in comparison to the previous generation iPad Mini with A15 Bionic,…
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest iPhone Apple has ever made, and it offers the longest ever battery life on an iPhone. It also has the highest starting price tag of any iPhone (it starts at $1,199 and goes up very quickly from there). Some would never consider a Pro Max model because of the size alone; and that was before Apple increased the screen size this year. But for me, after…
We are excited to announce the launch of our first annual AppleVis Community Survey.
Since our founding in 2010, our mission at AppleVis has been to empower people who are blind, DeafBlind, or who have low vision to get the most from Apple products, first- and third-party applications, and related technologies.
Today, we are launching a survey to hear about your experiences using AppleVis. We want your feedback--both about things we are doing well, as well as how we can…
Apple has today released iOS 18.0.1, iPadOS 18.0.1, macOS Sequoia 15.0.1, and watchOS 11.0.1; bringing bug fixes for a small number of issues identified after last month's software releases.
As iOS 18.0.1, iPadOS 18.0.1, macOS Sequoia 15.0.1, and watchOS 11.0.1 were not distributed to external testers prior to their release, we do not have any information on whether they contain fixes for VoiceOver or braille at the time of writing. However, as these updates appear to have been…
Welcome to a special edition of AppleVis Unlimited, your monthly digest of the latest and most notable content on the AppleVis website. This edition covers July-September 2024 and features a curated selection of community-submitted content, including new app entries; updates; news; popular discussions; and podcasts. We hope you will find it to be both helpful and informative.
It has been an incredible month here at AppleVis. At the end of July, it…
Alongside the releases of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, AppleInsider reports that Apple has also released iOS 17.7,…
Apple has today released macOS 15 Sequoia to the public. As usual, we won’t cover the mainstream features here, concentrating instead on what's new and changed for blind and low vision users. For an overview of the mainstream changes, we recommend this in-depth review by MacStories.
Please remember to check the section about bugs to see if now is the right time to upgrade. There’s no harm in holding…
Apple has today released iOS 18 to the public. iOS 18 brings several major changes, including a new Passwords app, new Lock Screen customization options, RCS messaging support, the ability to customize the Control Center, a redesigned Photos app; and much, much more. Apple has today also released software updates for its other platforms including iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18.
iOS 18 also contains a number of new accessibility features for blind, DeafBlind, and…
Apple released iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 on Monday, September 16, 2024. This post contains a summary of new bugs impacting VoiceOver and braille support that we have identified during testing of these releases. We have also included details on preexisting bugs that our testing suggests have been fixed in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.
As is our routine practice, each newly identified bug has been given a severity rating. These ratings are based upon what we believe to be the implications for…
Fall is almost here in the northern hemisphere, which means it’s time for another major release of iOS. There are certainly mainstream changes of note, such as a new Passwords app; an expanded Control Center; changes to the Messages app like the addition of support for RCS messaging; and many more. This article from iDownloadBlog…
I've used an iPhone 13 Mini almost since it came out. I got it in November of 2021, and have been very happy with its small size and light weight. The battery was great for a few months, but new iOS features and time took their toll. Now, despite a battery replacement, I'm lucky to get through a day of light to moderate use without having to recharge before bed. Going out in the evening is stressful, because I always wonder if my phone will have the juice.…
Today's Apple announcements, at an event entitled "It's Glowtime", were exactly what many of us expected: new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. We also got a release day for all the big software updates. watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS will all get their big upgrades on Monday, September 16.
TL;DR:
It was like a dream, but not as coherent. I was lying on a storage room floor amongst stacked boxes. Maybe. I believed it was dark, for what that was worth. AND, I heard distant, thin reedy voices. Was I safe? Should I call out? Who am I and what am I doing here? My reptilian brain spoke up. "Stay quiet. Hide. Alone is good."
Clarity and reality eventually bubbled up. I learned something interesting that explained nearly everything. Hospital drugs are truly powerful.…
This past spring, after nine years of early retirement, a part-time job unexpectedly landed in my lap. It’s tempting to pat myself on the back and accept this as normal, simply the result of an employer who finally recognized my abilities, talents, and genius. It’s all me, baby. Yeah.
Not.
Even my ego isn’t that big.
To be honest with you, and with myself, I had to admit I never would’ve landed this freelance writing job if it weren’t for AppleVis. After nine…
Dear AppleVis Community, friends, and supporters,
We are very excited to announce that the AppleVis website has fully reopened. Please read on for some important updates:
Dear AppleVis Community,
We are very excited to announce that AppleVis has partnered with the wonderful team at Be My Eyes and will reopen on September 9, 2024.
Since announcing our original plans for the site’s closure in late July 2024, we have received a tremendous outpouring of support and many generous offers of assistance—financial and technical—from both individuals and organizations. We are very grateful to all who stepped forward. Even more so than before, it is…
Update 28 August: I am thrilled to share some great news about AppleVis' future - AppleVis will be joining the Be My Eyes family through an acquisition that ensures not only its continued existence but also opens up exciting new possibilities.
When I announced the impending closure of AppleVis in July, I was deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our community. Your responses underscored the vital role AppleVis plays in the lives of so many blind and low-…