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TalkBack

Google launches Announce Caller ID’ feature

Google is going to roll out a convenient accessibility feature for visually impaired people. The feature enables the phone to announce the caller ID after the phone rings.

According to 9to5Google, the new feature will allow users to manually set the application for the Caller ID announcement every time the user receives a call or when the phone is connected to a headset, Google’s handy accessibility feature is identical to that of iOS which let the users know who is calling them without looking at the screen of the phone. So, it is specially designed for those individuals who have any visual disabilities. read more

How to set up braille keyboard on an Android phone

How to set up braille keyboard on an Android phone

Braille, traditionally, is a system of raised dots that make reading and writing accessible to the blind or visually impaired. While there are external devices that make it possible to type something in braille on a phone, it’s not exactly quick or a seamless experience. With that in mind, Google made the TalkBack braille keyboard. It’s a virtual braille keyboard integrated directly into Android.

Here’s how Google describes the feature:

Our team collaborated with braille developers and users throughout the development of this feature, so it’ll be familiar to anyone who has typed using braille before. It uses a standard 6-key layout and each key represents one of 6 braille dots which, when tapped, make any letter or symbol. To type an ‘A’ you would press dot 1 and to type a ‘B,’ dots 1 and 2 together. read more

Google is rolling out new features to TalkBack,, Messages, Google Maps and more

Google recently announced it’s rolling out updates to six different Android apps, from the TalkBack screen reader to Google Maps. The updates add useful new features, like the ability to schedule when a text message will be sent in the Messages app. Google Maps is also receiving an update of its own that adds a true dark mode throughout the entire app, not just when you’re using navigation.

There’s also an update to Google’s password autofill tool that will tell you if your passwords have been leaked and let you know it’s time to change it. These are rolling updates. That means you may not have access to them right away, so keep checking the Play Store for app updates. read more

Google announces an “all-new” version of TalkBack Screen Reader for Android

Google recently announced TalkBack 9.1 for Android.

In a blog post published on Tuesday, Google announced what it described as an “all-new” version (officially, 9.1) of its TalkBack screen reader. Android accessibility product manager Brian Kemler wrote in the post the upgraded software includes “some of the most highly requested features from the Blind and low vision community.”

What was one of the most requested features for talkBack?

The new version of TalkBack is the most ambitious since Google introduced the feature in 2009. One of the most requested features of the new TalkBack is the ability to use multi-touch gestures to control the user interface similar to VoiceOver on iOS. Google says these new gestures “make it easier for you to interact with apps and let you perform common actions, such as selecting and editing text, controlling media and finding help.” Additionally, users can utilize swipe gestures to read through news headlines, for example. Swiping right to left, it’s possible to read full sentences, as well as breaking it down by word(s) or characters. Likewise, a single swipe up or down will enable navigation through a piece of text. read more

How to change which apps can access your location on Android

It’s important to make sure apps aren’t abusing permissions to protect your privacy.

Android apps are required to ask for permission to access your location. Beginning in Android 11, you can even grant apps one-time access to your location. This means that you don’t have to worry about apps grabbing your location after you leave the app.

Regardless of how well you may monitor permissions, it’s a good idea to check up on which apps can access your location every once in a while.

First, open the Settings menu on your Android phone or tablet by swiping down from the top of the screen (once or twice depending on your device’s manufacturer) to open the notification shade, then select the gear icon. read more

Netflix now features audio-only mode on Android

Netflix rolling out audio-only mode to the Android app

Netflix has been adding many features recently into its Android app. The service got variable playback speeds and a screen lock feature this year, and now it looks like we’re in for audio-only background playback. It could help you save some precious mobile data or leave your phone in your pocket while you’re keeping up with your favourite series.

The feature is now available to subscribers as part of a server-side rollout in version 7.84.1 build 28 35243. If you’re in on the change, you’ll see a new Video off button at the top of the full-screen video player. Selecting it turns on the audio-only mode, leaving you with a blank screen showing all playback controls including the scrub bar, forward and backward, speed, and so on. Even the brightness slider remains available. read more

United Airlines updates app with accessible features for people with vision loss

United Airlines recently launched a redesigned version of its mobile app, with new enhancements intended to make travel easier for people with vision loss.

What are some of the accessibility features in the latest update?
Throughout its award-winning app, the carrier has increased colour contrast, added more space between graphics and reordered how information is displayed and announced to better integrate with the screen reader technologies like VoiceOver and TalkBack that are built into most handheld devices and read aloud on-screen messages and notifications. By restructuring the way the information is organized on the app, screen readers are better able to convert text to audio in the proper, logical sequence, allowing customers to better understand and navigate the app. read more

Google Lookout Updates App with Food Labeling and Scanning Documents

Google Lookout, the accessibility app that aids the blind and visually impaired identify objects through the use of their phone camera, has been upgraded with some new features and improvements.

Google Lookout, the accessibility app that aids the blind and visually impaired identify objects through the use of their phone camera, has been upgraded with some new features and improvements. Originally released in 2019 in the US for Pixel phones, Google Lookout was created to help those with vision loss navigate the world through the use of AI. When pointed at objects or animals, it would attempt to identify them. read more

How To Use Accessibility Features On Netflix with iOS and Android

Here’s a guide to using Netflix’s accessibility features.

Netflix has over 10,000+ hours of audio descriptions on Netflix globally in over 30 different languages. You can access the gallery here. An Audio Description logo has been added to the relevant titles. Closed Captions are also available for the hearing impaired.

Browsing on Netflix

If you’re looking to browse or navigate Netflix for something you may enjoy watching, enable VoiceOver on iOS or TalkBack on Android devices. It’ll automatically be able to read out the navigation menu, the title names, ratings, and even describe the visual of the key art in brief. read more

Rapid Ring App from Ring is Now Available to Download for iOS and Android

The Rapid Ring app has been designed to allow users to respond to a notification or start streaming as soon as possible.

Ring’s new “Rapid Ring” app is now available for users in the U.S. and Canada.
Rapid Ring is a “light” version of the full Ring app, which lets users access video feeds and answer notifications faster.
The app was released a few weeks back for users in Australia and the UK.
Ring rolled out a “light” version of its full Ring app a few weeks back. While the app was initially available only to users in Australia and the UK, it is now available in the U.S. and Canada too. read more

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