iPhone 4s announced. How does that impact users with disabilities?
M. Wade Wingler, ATP, Director of Assistive Technology
The technology world listened today as Apple unveiled the iPhone 4s. The new phone features a faster processor, faster and better camera, a new operating system (iOS5) and Siri voice activation. The Siri demonstration video demonstrates a smart “assistant” that can not only perform speech-to-text recognition, but is also sophisticated enough to recognize voice commands such as “move my meeting with to noon”, or “read my text message” and then dictate a reply, which has significant implications for users with disabilities who rely on voice input systems. It’s worth mentioning, however; that the new voice activation features are processor intensive enough that Siri will only work on the newer iPhone 4S—bad news for those who are planning a software-only upgrade.
In addition to the new iPhone hardware that will be available at retail outlets within days (Oct 14), there are a number of previously-announced new accessibility features that will be included with iOS5. These include flashing LED alerts, custom-vibration alerts for phone and SMS messages, an interested split keyboard interface, new multi-touch gestures and voiceover “element labeling” to enhance the screen reader user’s experience.
The new iOS5 operating system will be available October 12, presumably a free download from iTunes. Notable expected features include improved notifications, and the new “iMessage” which should allow more flexibility with how you communicate with other iPhone users. Notably, iOS won’t require users to connect to a PC for initial set up and update your IOS device. This might increase the number of seniors citizens who want to utilize the iPad as a PC replacement.
Listen to this Friday’s Assistive Technology Update podcast for more information on the Apple announcements. (www.EasterSealsTech.com click on ‘podcast’.)
