Accessibility improvements in Windows 11 and iOS 16 show promise for the future
AR and more are defining accessibility for a new generation
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We’ve recently seenMicrosoftandApplebring out major updates to itsoperating systems, includingWindows 11andiOS 16, and one of the big tentpole features for both is, finally, accessibility.
The topic isn’t just limited to one aspect - fromweb accessibilitytovisual accessibility, there are features on yourPCoriPhonethat have been there for years, but you may have never been aware of them.
Windows 11’s2022 updateexpands upon this category however, withlive captionsacross the operating system, alongside more natural-sounding voices for narration and text-to-speech.
On the other end of the spectrum, Apple is using AR incertain accessibility featuresin iOS 16 to better tell how far a door is in a house, for example. All of this builds on a promise to the next generation of users with hearing and visual impairments, and what could be next.
For a more accessible age
BothAppleandMicrosoftinclude a dedicated accessibility page that focuses on how every feature can benefit a user, while trying to get rid of the ‘hidden features’ label that’s almost became a stereotype for accessibility in software lately.
Apple has been working with companies such asGuide Dogs UKto bring over 5,000 iPads to its children, while Microsoft has been bringing out aline of accessibility accessories.
But on a software level, you can already try out features such as better narration in Windows 11, or the ability to control nearby Apple devices from your iPhone in iOS 16.
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There’s more to be done, as whenwe spoke to Hector Minto, Accessibility Lead at Microsoft, he told us that the category is never feature-complete; there’s always a user out there needing a different way to fulfill their needs to use alaptopas well as anyone else.
With AR and AI becoming more prevalent, it’s at the point where it’s exciting to see where this can go for accessibility - and coupled with the rumors of anApple headsetandMicrosoft’s effortsin the area so far, the foundation for the category is finally solid, and in the coming years, accessibility could be something we’ll see more of at keynotes from both companies, not just as a blogpost.
Daryl had been freelancing for 3 years before joining TechRadar, now reporting on everything software-related. In his spare time, he’s written a book, ‘The Making of Tomb Raider’. His second book, ‘50 Years of Boss Fights’, came out in 2024, with a third book coming in 2025. He also has a newsletter called ‘Springboard’. He’s usually found playing games old and new on his Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and MacBook Pro. If you have a story about an updated app, one that’s about to launch, or just anything Software-related, drop him a line.
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