[access-uk] Re: Apple - Accessibility
- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:16:12 +0100
I've just visited this site, and have extracted some info for anybody
interested in the accessibility of the Ipod and Itunes. In particular,
the fourth generation Ipod Nano may appeal to some.
Vision
Music lovers who are blind or vision-impaired can now enjoy iTunes and
iPod nano in an entirely new way thanks to the latest version of iTunes
and the new
iPod nano (4th generation).
iTunes 8, which is screen-reader friendly for both the Mac and the PC,
provides compatibility with VoiceOver in Mac OS X Leopard and
Window-Eyes 7.0 for
Windows XP and Windows Vista. And since the new iPod nano (4th
generation) has optional spoken menus, you now can easily find and play
the music you want
to hear while on the go.
Introducing Spoken Menus on iPod nano (4th generation)
The new iPod nano (4th generation) - the world's most popular music
player - introduces spoken menus that let visually impaired music lovers
browse and
select songs without viewing the screen. Instead, you'll hear a
synthesized voice speaking the names of menus, songs, and artists.
To take advantage of spoken menus, you will need:
list of 4 items
* iPod nano (4th generation)
* iTunes 8
* Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later
* Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 3 or
later)
list end
Enabling spoken menus
4th generation iPod nano preferences in iTunes 8
When you connect the iPod nano (4th generation) to your Mac or PC with
iTunes 8, you'll find a new option in iTunes to "Enable spoken menus for
accessibility."
When you sync, iTunes 8 creates spoken descriptions for the contents of
your iPod nano using the text-to-speech engine on your computer (in Mac
OS X, Windows
XP and Windows Vista) and then syncs them to your iPod nano (4th
generation) along with your music.
iPod nano (4th generation) speaks volumes
In Mac OS X, you can choose from a variety of natural-sounding and
novelty voices, including Alex, the amazing new English-speaking voice
available in Mac
OS X Leopard. Using patented Apple speech technology, Alex closely
matches the nuances of human speech and can deliver natural intonation
even at extraordinarily
fast speaking rates. Learn more about Alex.
You can also purchase additional English and non-English voices
separately. Contact third-party voice providers for further details.
In Windows, iTunes 8 uses Microsoft's Speech API (SAPI) compatible
voices to generate spoken menu descriptions. Be sure to enable Text to
Speech and choose
a voice in the Control Panel in Windows XP or Windows Vista before you
enable spoken menus in iTunes 8, since speech may not be enabled by
default.
Adjusting the speed of the computer's voice changes the way spoken menus
sound on iPod nano (4th generation). In Mac OS X, you can adjust the
speaking rate
for Alex and other Mac voices in the Speech pane of System Preferences.
In Windows XP and Windows Vista, you can adjust the speaking rate for
voices using
the Text to Speech Control Panel.
For more information about setting up spoken menus on iPod nano (4th
generation) see "
Enabling Spoken Menus on iPod nano (4th generation)
."
4th generation iPod nano settings
Large Font on iPod nano (4th generation)
The new iPod nano (4th generation) introduces a font size setting that
lets you choose a standard or large font size. You can enable the large
font in the
Settings menu.
High Contrast Screen and Backlight
iPod classic and iPod nano feature high-resolution LCD displays with
adjustable brightness settings that make them easy to read even in
low-light conditions.
iPod touch features a large, high-resolution 3.5-inch LCD display with
adjustable brightness. There's even an Auto-Brightness feature that
continually adjusts
the brightness automatically - using an integrated ambient light sensor
- for optimal viewing even in very high and very low lighting
conditions.
iTunes icon
Accessibility in iTunes 8
iTunes 8 is screen-reader friendly. On a Mac using Mac OS X Leopard,
it's compatible with VoiceOver; on a PC using Windows XP or Windows
Vista, it's compatible
with GW-Micro Window-Eyes 7.0.
Screen Reader Technology
For those who are blind or have a vision impairment, screen readers
provide spoken descriptions and full keyboard control as an alternative
to using a mouse.
Screen readers use a speech engine to synthesize spoken descriptions
that explain what's taking place on the computer screen. While customers
using Windows
PCs typically purchase screen readers separately, on a Mac both Mac OS X
v10.4 Tiger and v10.5 Leopard include a full-featured, built-in screen
reader
called VoiceOver.
Universal Access icons
On a Mac, iTunes 8 works in conjunction with
VoiceOver
to provide full keyboard control and spoken audio descriptions. iTunes
also works with the other built-in Universal Access features of Mac OS X
Leopard,
including Zoom, Sticky Keys, and Mouse Keys. The Universal Access
features of Mac OS X work in conjunction with VoiceOver to suit your
specific needs.
Thanks to its support for Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA), iTunes
8 for Windows can also be used with screen readers for Windows, but to
take advantage
of the support, screen reader manufacturers may have to update their
applications. Apple recommends using GW-Micro Window-Eyes 7, which is
sold separately,
on
Windows XP Service Pack 3.
iTunes Store
With iTunes 8, you can use a screen reader to browse the iTunes Store
and shop for music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, free podcasts, and
other content.
A number of areas in the iTunes Store have been enhanced for
accessibility, including the iTunes Store home page, iTunes U, Podcasts,
Music, Audiobooks,
Movies, TV Shows, Music Videos, and iTunes Latino, among others. On the
home page, you'll find links to the Top Movie Rentals, Top Movie Sales,
Top Songs,
Top Albums, Top Audiobooks, and similar content. And since even the
sign-up process is now accessible, you can create an iTunes account
without sighted
assistance.
To make browsing with a screen reader easier, the iTunes Store uses
headers, links, and form controls, terms and landmarks you've already
become accustomed
to while browsing web pages.
iTunes Store Search
If you can't immediately find a song, album, or artist you're interested
in, you can use the search feature on the iTunes Store to find and
display a matching
list of songs, movies, TV shows, and other content based on the criteria
you enter. For more complex searches, use Power Search, which lets you
enter multiple
search criteria at once.
When you find content you like, iTunes 8 makes purchasing that content
easy. Use a simple keystroke to purchase and download all media types,
including
individual songs, complete albums, movies, TV episodes, Season Passes,
audiobooks, and podcasts.
iTunes U album artwork
iTunes U
iTunes U also features enhanced accessbility for those using screen
readers. As a result, everyone with access to the Internet, including
those who are
blind or vision-impaired, can enjoy great educational content. iTunes
hosts content provided by participating colleges, universities, K12
schools, museums,
public radio stations, and other educational organizations. That means
the content is always available, easy to find, and even easier to
download and play.
On iTunes U, you search, download, and play course content just as you
do music, movies, and TV shows.
Jackie Cairns
Braille Support Adviser
Email: Jackie.Cairns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sight and Sound Technology Ltd
Welton House North Wing
Summerhouse Road
Moulton Park
Northampton
NN3 6WD
Telephone: 0845 6347979
or
Telephone: 01604 798070
Fax: 01604 798090
Web: www.sightandsound.co.uk <http://www.sightandsound.co.uk/>
________________________________
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Gordon Keen
Sent: 10 September 2008 10:02
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Apple - Accessibility
Hi
Some exciting developments from Apple, especially if you want a talking
ipod and full access to itunes.
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/
Cheers!
G
From glorious Devon, England.
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________
Other related posts:
