‘iLife’ Archives

Apple recently updated GarageBand for iOS. Among the changes and improvements are the ability to use the application on iPhone or iPod touch devices, as well as VoiceOver accessibility. The update leverages new VoiceOver features that were added in iOS 5.0 last month. Most notably VoiceOver‘s DirectTouch feature, which allows users to interact with specific [...]

In a new editorial, we take a look at the width and breadth of Apple’s commitment to accessibility over the last ten years, and try to dispel some of the myths, rumors, and misconceptions which persist in the visually impaired community about Apple and its products.

In this episode of the Round Table, our knights discuss FaceTime for the Mac, iLife 11 accessibility enhancements, (including GarageBand), and more. Notes: Holly’s picks – NewsRack for iOS and The AppStore Pundit podcast Darcy’s picks – Hazel for Mac and RememberTheMilk.com (service) M.J.’s picks – oMoby for iOS and StoryMill for Mac Josh’s pick [...]

We have received a little more information on GarageBand accessibility in the iLife 11 suite. Here are the highlights: Record and edit track information Accessibly select Software instruments Select, edit, and paste audio or MIDI loops Modify instrument parameters, (i.e. software instruments, and effects) Modify regions, (i.e. loop points, selecting cycle takes, moving start and [...]

This is just a quick notice that we have received word that Apple’s newly released iLife 11 suite of applications includes significant accessibility enhancements. These improvements will be found in iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand. At the time of writing, we have not had the opportunity to test these applications yet, and do not have a [...]

After a couple of weeks, during which we saw the rumor mills heat up with speculation of an August 28th release of Apple’s latest version of their Mac OS X operating system, the company issued a press release this morning, officially announcing that date. "Snow Leopard builds on our most successful operating system ever and [...]

Apple Inc. announced today that iLife ’09 will begin shipping tomorrow, 27/January/2009. The suite of multimedia applications such as the popular iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and others was first announced at MacWOrld Expo earlier this month, and will come pre-installed on all new Macs. For those upgrading to the new iLife on your existing Mac, you [...]

Today, Apple announced updates to their iWork and iLife application suites. The new features are certainly impressive, and incremental, but we are uncertain at this time whether or not any accessibility enhancements are part of these updates. Additionally, iWork.com became a public beta today. This suite of browser-based applications allows users to collaborate on iWork [...]

Keith Reedy has provided two new entries to our Guides & Tutorials section. Learn how to use multiple tracks in "GarageBand with VoiceOver 2" or how to use special effects in "GarageBand with VoiceOver 3". If you haven’t already done so, start with general usage of GarageBand in "GarageBand with VoiceOver 1". Thanks again to [...]

Last week’s update to the iLife ’08 suite from Apple proved to be a boon for VoiceOver users. Garage Band the suite’s recording-studio software is now radically improved in the area of accessibility. Indeed, virtually all functions and areas of the program are usable with VoiceOver, according to reports from VoiceOver users. Given the high [...]

We contacted Apple Accessibility about the access issues with IWork and ILife ’08. The response was brief but encouraging. Apple points out the dramatic improvements in accessibility with the IWork ’08 suite in particular, but is aware of the problems and is working to improve access in these products. Garage Band accessibility, according to them, [...]