iOS 8 Technology

iOS 8 Technology

Today, Apple was released iOS 8 the latest software update for iphone, iPad, and iPod Touch. This new software, that which is available for free, and includes many new features and enhancements, it including new accessibility features and tools that will allow the developers to make the next generation of apps. And Apple has not stood still in terms accessibility and a result of, and iOS 8 is truly the most accessible and wide-ranging iOS version to date.

And some of the most exciting new user-friendliness features are included in iOS are ready to use right after updating.  And these features were developed by Apple, and most are found under Settings > General > Accessibility. 

And it has a Speak Screen it is one of the new accessibility features that allows users too quickly and easily have content on the screen read with text to speech with a simple two finger swipe down gesture. And Unlike older versions of iOS that which required users to highlight sections that they wished to be spoken, and Speak Screen that does not require any highlighting. And Users can even ask Siri to “speak the screen” to start text-to-speech. 

And Apple’s highly commended screen reader, voiceover, they also received some considerable updates. Then now, voiceover users can enter text using a system-wide virtual six-dot Braille keyboard. And Zoom is also greatly improved with windowed magnification and filters. Guided Access and Assistive tool have seen smaller improvements. 

And In addition, all accessibility features that were use speech that will now be able to use the Alex text-to-speech voice that are many Mac users enjoy. And All of these features that are included with the iOS 8 update. That Stay tuned for in depth information about the features discussed above in the coming days and weeks.

And With iOS 8, the Apple has given developers tools to make the next generation of great apps. And hopefully, assistive app makers will be able to take advantage of these new features to help people with various needs. So Developers can now make system wide keyboard apps. And iOS keyboards will now be able to enter text into it or any app if the developer updates the app for iOS 8. For example, Fleyksy and Swift Key that are expect to receive or update shortly to enable text entry into any app. And Developers can also add the ability to unlock their app using touch ID with finger print recognition for devices with Touch ID. And lastly, developers can create extensions to allow their app to perform functions within other apps. For example, a translation extension could be used within Safari to eliminate the need to switch apps. 

And these features are open up a whole new world to app developers and that will be exciting to use some of the new apps that can take advantage of these new developer features. And while some apps have already been updated to take advantage of the new developer features in iOS, and many have not been. That Check back to read about some apps that are taking advantage of these new developer features in the ways that can help people with disabilities.

iOS 8 is a free to update that you can download now. And Stay tuned to the Beyond Technology Blog to learn more about the new included accessibility features and about apps that take advantage of the new developer features.