Peter,
I agree that being able to dictate passwords and PINs into secure entry
fields might be a nice idea. From Apple's perspective, however, they
might feel that this would make the secure entry field less secure. It
might also mean some serious modification of how voice dictation
normally works. At the moment, voice dictation is good for words and
phrases. In other words, it's pretty good when dictating phrases such as
"I went to the store to buy some bananas." However, passwords, at least
good ones, aren't simple words. If you have a strong password, that
means you have a string of text, comprised of various letters, numbers
and other symbols, with letters being both lower and uppercase. Suppose
my password is
~Luv.,4BX7y
Currently, there is no way to accurately dictate such a string. It
doesn't mean that Apple couldn't modify the dictation service to
accommodate such strings; I could see how this could be done. It just
means that the current implementation of voice dictation just doesn't
allow for passwords, particularly if those passwords aren't standard
words or phrases, which they really should not be. However, I don't mean
to suggest that what you're proposing is a bad idea. By all means you
should certainly suggest it.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my
Web site WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info
On 6/5/2017 3:03 PM, Peter Donahue wrote:
Hello David and everyone, > > It sure would make things easier if Apple allowed one to enable >dictation into secure fields such as those for passwords and > pascodes. This is something one could enable in "Settings" if users > feel this makes using their iDevices easier. Otherwise they can leave > it off if they feel uncomfortable about using this feature. This is > something users should have control over not Apple. > > We have external keyboards paired with our iPad and iPhones but > either they don't work or when we enter information it's not recorded > correctly. The only way we could get help with loging into apps we > use is to spend at least $100.00+ for a computer technician to do > this for us something not unlike calling in the military to do a > cop's job. We have someone who visits us regularly but his person > isn't tech-savvy. We've requested that the agency that sent this > person find someone who can help us with light technology matters > such as logging into these apps or enabling channels in Roku. I > wonder who to contact at Apple to suggest adding the ability to > dictate text into secure fields to be included in future releases of > their iOS and other operating systems. Perhaps we should suggest this > to them. All the best. > > Peter Donahue > > > > -----Original Message----- From: > blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > [mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David > Goldfield Sent: Monday, June 05, 2017 11:22 AM To: Philadelphia > Computer Users Group for the Blind and Visually Impaired Subject: > [blind-philly-comp] Re: Article: Wearable System Helps Visually > Impaired Users Navigate > > Hi, Jan. > > As far as the passcode, older versions of iOS allowed the user to use > a passcode which was normally comprised of four digits. Newer > versions default to a passcode of six digits but they also allow for > other types of passcodes, including a four-digit one and an > alphanumeric one, which could be anything. However, I think you > indicated a while back that the iPod Touch you were provided may be > an older model. With that in mind, if you were given a four-digit > passcode then this is likely the correct code. > > I'm wondering what method you're using to enter the code. Doing this > can, admittedly, be a bit tricky if you're new to using VoiceOver > and/or a touchscreen. For the sake of simplicity, let's assume that > the passcode is 1234. > > Using that example, you need to locate each digit on the screen and > then, with one finger, double-tap on each digit to actually enter > it. > > > There are two ways to find the right digit on the keypad. > > One way is to use the one-finger swipe method. Using this method, > take one finger and swipe across the screen in a fairly quick, fluid > motion. Moving to the right tells VoiceOver to move to the next item > and moving to the left tells VoiceOver to move to the previous item. > This should allow you to navigate around the screen, moving across > all of the available items. When you hear the item you want to enter, > such as a digit on the keypad, double-tap with one finger. > > Therefore, when you hear VoiceOver say "1", double-tap to enter that > digit. Swiping with one finger to the right would then move you to > the number 2 and VoiceOver should say "2." Double-tap and the number > 2 will be entered. > > > The second way to locate an item is to use the explore by touch > method. This is where you slide across the screen, using one finger. > When you do this, VoiceOver should speak whatever item is currently > under your finger. Using this method, you can explore the keypad by > moving around the screen with one finger and, if the default settings > are enabled, nothing will be entered until you first lift your finger > and then perform a double-tap. > > There is, for better or for worse, no way to have the device identify > the passcode which has been set. This is done for reasons of > security because, if someone stole your device, you would not want > them to be able to figure out your passcode. > > If you're unable to get access to the device, you do have a few > choices. You could take it to a local Apple store and ask them to > assist. If they can't get past the lock screen by entering the code > you were given, they could perform a reset on the device. The > advantage of doing this is that the device could then be used > normally and you could then choose your own passcode or even no > passcode at all. The disadvantage of performing a reset is that all > previous apps and settings would be gone. VoiceOver would still > operate, since it's built-in, and you would have access to all of the > iPod's preinstalled apps such as Weather, Mail, Safari, Messages and > several others. > > If you can find the last user who you acquired it from it might be > good to see if they can gain access to the device. If they can't > perhaps they can at least do the reset for you. > > > David > > David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit > my Web site WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info On 6/5/2017 11:44 AM, Jan Lattuca > wrote: >> As to the Ipod Touch, the code that I have been given is only four >> digits. I wonder if that is the problem. Unfortunately, no on is >> sure, any more, what the unlock code was. Any ideas as to how to >> find out or initiate a new one? >> >> JanThanks, David, for the info. >> >> On 6/5/17, David Goldfield <dgoldfield1211@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>> Hi, Jan. >>> >>> Congratulations on acquiring your new computer with its new >>> operating system. That's so wonderful. I'm neither an expert with >>> Narrator or Cortana but feel free to put your questions out there >>> and I'm sure one of us will respond. I will, as well, if I can >>> assist. >>> >>> If you have NVDA, I think that you will find that it will >>> probably be a more capable screen reader than Narrator. Having >>> said that, Microsoft is adding more and more features to Narrator >>> than they ever have. With each major Windows 10 release, Narrator >>> receives more and more features. During the days of Windows XP >>> through Windows 7, Narrator was so basic that it really couldn't >>> be used effectively as a daily, primary screen reader. However, >>> as Kurt has said Microsoft is really changing this with Windows >>> 10. There are some users who may find that Narrator can do what >>> they need. I don't know it as well as I know NVDA but I can tell >>> you that it's getting better and better very quickly. For >>> reference, here's a link to Narrator's manual. >>> >>> https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/22798/windows-10-narrator-get-started >>> >>> >>> >>> Regarding entering the code for your iPod Touch, is this the six-digit
free to >>> visit my Web site WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info On 6/4/2017 8:25 PM, >>> Jan Lattuca wrote: >>>> Hi, guys. I've been rather incognito for most of this year >>>> because of ongoing, though, initially intermittent, computer >>>> problems. However, for those of you who know me a bit, I can >>>> now proudly announce that I am responding to this email via my >>>> new Windows 10 computer!!! Yes, the old Windows XP is just >>>> about ready to be brought to Staples for recycling. >>>> >>>> I already am developing questions, like about narrator, >>>> Cortana, etc.; but for now, let me just say that this new >>>> device that you've shared in this email, David, evokes rather >>>> ambivalent reactions in me. Finding a vacant seat on the bus >>>> with ease does have its appeal. Not sure, though, how other >>>> applications would really work. I suppose the device is rather >>>> pricey right now. Wonder when it will be available for sale. >>>> >>>> Thanks for sharing, as always, David. >>>> >>>> And now for two quick questions. First, is Narrator good >>>> enough to function as one's sole screen reader? I do have NVDA >>>> right now, of course. Second, is there an easy way to turn >>>> Narrator off permanently until one wants to use it. Now, it >>>> comes up each time I turn on the computer and I have to exit >>>> it. No biggy, but it would be nice if this extra step could be >>>> avoided. >>>> >>>> Jan Lattuca >>>> >>>> P.S. For those who may recall that I was playing around with >>>> Ipod Touch, I have to admit that I've made no progress to date. >>>> The stumblingblock is that we can't seem to make the code work >>>> so that I can get into the device. Ah, well, at least I now >>>> have a Windows 10 computer. On 6/4/17, David Goldfield >>>> <dgoldfield1211@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>>>> Wearable System Helps Visually Impaired Users Navigate JUNE >>>>> 1, 2017 BY ACCESSIBILITY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Larry Hardesty | >>>>> MIT News Office May 31, 2017 New algorithms power a prototype >>>>> system for helping visually impaired users avoid obstacles >>>>> and identify objects. Device provides information from a 3-D >>>>> camera, via vibrating motors and a Braille interface. Watch >>>>> Video at the link below Computer scientists have been working >>>>> for decades on automatic navigation systems to aid the >>>>> visually impaired, but its been difficult to come up with >>>>> anything as reliable and easy to use as the white cane, the >>>>> type of metal-tipped cane that visually impaired people >>>>> frequently use to identify clear walking paths. White canes >>>>> have a few drawbacks, however. One is that the obstacles they >>>>> come in contact with are sometimes other people. Another is >>>>> that they cant identify certain types of objects, such as >>>>> tables or chairs, or determine whether a chair is already >>>>> occupied. Researchers from MITs Computer Science and >>>>> Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a >>>>> new system that uses a 3-D camera, a belt with separately >>>>> controllable vibrational motors distributed around it, and an >>>>> electronically reconfigurable Braille interface to give >>>>> visually impaired users more information about their >>>>> environments. The system could be used in conjunction with or >>>>> as an alternative to a cane. In a paper theyre presenting >>>>> this week at the International Conference on Robotics and >>>>> Automation, the researchers describe the system and a series >>>>> of usability studies they conducted with visually impaired >>>>> volunteers. We did a couple of different tests with blind >>>>> users, says Robert Katzschmann, a graduate student in >>>>> mechanical engineering at MIT and one of the papers two first >>>>> authors. Having something that didnt infringe on their other >>>>> senses was important. So we didn’t want to have audio; we >>>>> didnt want to have something around the head, vibrations on >>>>> the neck all of those things, we tried them out, but none of >>>>> them were accepted. We found that the one area of the body >>>>> that is the least used for other senses is around your >>>>> abdomen. Katzschmann is joined on the paper by his advisor >>>>> Daniela Rus, an Andrew and Erna Viterbi Professor of >>>>> Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; his fellow first >>>>> author Hsueh-Cheng Wang, who was a postdoc at MIT when the >>>>> work was done and is now an assistant professor of electrical >>>>> and computer engineering at National Chiao Tung University >>>>> in Taiwan; Santani Teng, a postdoc in CSAIL; Brandon Araki, a >>>>> graduate student in mechanical engineering; and Laura Giarré, >>>>> a professor of electrical engineering at the University of >>>>> Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Parsing the world The >>>>> researchers system consists of a 3-D camera worn in a pouch >>>>> hung around the neck; a processing unit that runs the teams >>>>> proprietary algorithms; the sensor belt, which has five >>>>> vibrating motors evenly spaced around its forward half; and >>>>> the reconfigurable Braille interface, which is worn at the >>>>> users side. The key to the system is an algorithm for quickly >>>>> identifying surfaces and their orientations from the >>>>> 3-D-camera data. The researchers experimented with three >>>>> different types of 3-D cameras, which used three different >>>>> techniques to gauge depth but all produced relatively >>>>> low-resolution images 640 pixels by 480 pixels with both >>>>> color and depth measurements for each pixel. The algorithm >>>>> first groups the pixels into clusters of three. Because the >>>>> pixels have associated location data, each cluster determines >>>>> a plane. If the orientations of the planes defined by five >>>>> nearby clusters are within 10 degrees of each other, the >>>>> system concludes that it has found a surface. It doesnt need >>>>> to determine the extent of the surface or what type of object >>>>> its the surface of; it simply registers an obstacle at that >>>>> location and begins to buzz the associated motor if the >>>>> wearer gets within 2 meters of it. Chair identification is >>>>> similar but a little more stringent. The system needs to >>>>> complete three distinct surface identifications, in the same >>>>> general area, rather than just one; this ensures that the >>>>> chair is unoccupied. The surfaces need to be roughly parallel >>>>> to the ground, and they have to fall within a prescribed >>>>> range of heights. Tactile data The belt motors can vary the >>>>> frequency, intensity, and duration of their vibrations, as >>>>> well as the intervals between them, to send different types >>>>> of tactile signals to the user. For instance, an increase in >>>>> frequency and intensity generally indicates that the wearer >>>>> is approaching an obstacle in the direction indicated by that >>>>> particular motor. But when the system is in chair-finding >>>>> mode, for example, a double pulse indicates the direction in >>>>> which a chair with a vacant seat can be found. The Braille >>>>> interface consists of two rows of five reconfigurable Braille >>>>> pads. Symbols displayed on the pads describe the objects in >>>>> the users environment for instance, a t for table or a c for >>>>> chair. The symbols position in the row indicates the >>>>> direction in which it can be found; the column it appears in >>>>> indicates its distance. A user adept at Braille should find >>>>> that the signals from the Braille interface and the >>>>> belt-mounted motors coincide. In tests, the chair-finding >>>>> system reduced subjects contacts with objects other than the >>>>> chairs they sought by 80 percent, and the navigation system >>>>> reduced the number of cane collisions with people loitering >>>>> around a hallway by 86 percent. Original at >>>>> http://news.mit.edu/2017/wearable-visually-impaired-users-navigate-0531 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> --PIN you need to enter on the lock screen? >>> >>> >>> >>> David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel
>>>>> visit the moderator's Web site at WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info for >>>>> additional resources and information about assistive >>>>> technology training services. >>>>> >>>>> To unsubscribe from this list, please email >>>>> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word >>>>> unsubscribe in the subject line. >>>>> >>>>> To subscribe from another email address, send email to >>>>> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word >>>>> subscribe in the subject line. >>>>> >>>>> To contact the list administrator, please email >>>>> blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> >>>>> >>>> You are invited to visit the moderator's Web site at >>>> WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info for additional resources and >>>> information about assistive technology training services. >>>> >>>> To unsubscribe from this list, please email >>>> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word >>>> unsubscribe in the subject line. >>>> >>>> To subscribe from another email address, send email to >>>> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word subscribe >>>> in the subject line. >>>> >>>> To contact the list administrator, please email >>>> blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> >>> You are invited to visit the moderator's Web site at >>> WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info for additional resources and information >>> about assistive technology training services. >>> >>> To unsubscribe from this list, please email >>> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe >>> in the subject line. >>> >>> To subscribe from another email address, send email to >>> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word subscribe >>> in the subject line. >>> >>> To contact the list administrator, please email >>> blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> >>> >> You are invited to visit the moderator's Web site at >> WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info for additional resources and information >> about assistive technology training services. >> >> To unsubscribe from this list, please email >> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe >> in the subject line. >> >> To subscribe from another email address, send email to >> blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word subscribe in >> the subject line. >> >> To contact the list administrator, please email >> blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> > > You are invited to visit the moderator's Web site at > WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info for additional resources and information > about assistive technology training services. > > To unsubscribe from this list, please email > blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in > the subject line. > > To subscribe from another email address, send email to > blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word subscribe in > the subject line. > > To contact the list administrator, please email > blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > > You are invited to visit the moderator's Web site at > WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info for additional resources and information > about assistive technology training services. > > To unsubscribe from this list, please email > blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in > the subject line. > > To subscribe from another email address, send email to > blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word subscribe in > the subject line. > > To contact the list administrator, please email > blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to >>>>> visit my Web site WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info You are invited to
