Apple Stock News: Software Updates Designed for People with Disabilities
In this week’s Apple stock news, Apple has announced a big batch of new accessibility features across multiple products and services. The features are designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities. Later this year, with software updates across all of Apple’s operating systems, people with limb differences will be able to navigate Apple Watch using AssistiveTouch; iPad will support third-party eye-tracking hardware for easier control; and for blind and low vision communities, Apple’s industry-leading VoiceOver screen reader will get even smarter using on-device intelligence to explore objects within images. In support of neurodiversity, Apple is introducing new background sounds to help minimize distractions, and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, Made for iPhone (MFi) will soon support new bi-directional hearing aids.
Apple is also launching a new service on Thursday, May 20, called SignTime. This enables customers to communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care by using American Sign Language (ASL) in the US, British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK, or French Sign Language (LSF) in France, right in their web browsers. Customers visiting Apple Store locations can also use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking ahead of time. SignTime will initially launch in the US, UK, and France, with plans to expand to additional countries in the future.
New Beta Versions for Multiple Products
According to a report by MacRumors, prior to the public releases of iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, tvOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.4, Apple has seeded a new series of developer betas including iOS 14.7, iPadOS 14.7, tvOS 14.7, watchOS 7.6, and macOS Big Sur 11.5. The latest builds of each operating system can be acquired from the Apple Developer Center for devices enrolled within the testing program, as well as via an over-the-air update on hardware already using beta software.
It is currently unclear what changes or new additions are included in the latest betas, but it’s likely that the point releases will be focused on under-the-hood changes and bug fixes, with few user-facing features.
New Apple Watch Series 7 Rumors
According to a report by Macworld, a new rumor from prolific leaker Jon Prosser suggests that the Apple watch might get a major redesign. According to Prosser’s sources, the Apple Watch Series 7 will feature design language that falls in line with Apple’s other recent products, including flatter edges and a new green color.
The sides of the watch would reportedly resemble the sides of the iPhone and iPad Pro; flat, but with rounded corners, and not so sharp that it would dig into your wrist. Along with the flat edges could comes a new green color that resembles the green of the AirPods Max, Prosser reports. According to his source, Apple is still experimenting with colors, so there may be a different featured color, or Apple Watch Series 7 may come in a variety of colors, as the new 24-inch iMac does.
