Apple will be adding a suite of new accessibility features on its devices this year, including Braille support, on the next iterations of its operating systems, as it prepares for its annual developer conference.
The writing system for the visually impaired will be integrated for note taking, maths and science calculations, live captions and transcriptions, and reading Braille Ready Format files, Apple said on Tuesday, ahead of the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
The WWDC, Apple's main event for software, is expected to introduce iOS 19 for the iPhone, alongside the corresponding systems for the iPad, Mac, Watch and TV. The new version of iOS is typically released with the next generation of iPhones, which are expected in September.
Braille was invented by Louis Braille in the 1820s to help people with vision impairments read and write. While technology and audio aids have increased in recent years, it remains a key learning tool, said the New England College of Optometry.
The system is used by about six million visually impaired people around the world, according to the Louis Braille Museum, east of Paris.
Apple will also be introducing Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which show users if features such as voice control, magnified text and reduced motion are available on apps.
An enhanced magnifier for Macs and “enhanced view” for the Vision Pro augmented reality headset will also be added, Apple said. The latter is specifically aimed at helping people who are blind or have low vision. An accessibility reader to help those with dyslexia or low vision will also be introduced.
Apple's upcoming accessibility features are “tools to help people access crucial information”, chief executive Tim Cook said.
The set of updates comes as Apple continues to focus on health technology, which has become a key driver of its services unit, which has boosted revenue in recent years.
In March, Apple launched its latest Hearing Aid and Hearing Test services in Saudi Arabia, giving people in the kingdom free access to the health technologies.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
Stamp%20duty%20timeline
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The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law