• Retweet: @vmwarefusion : Fusion 50% off today, one day only. Details: http://is.gd/9Gqi Coupon code "CyberMondayDeal" # 2008/12/01
• It's Thanksgiving Day in the United States. We're thankful for Apple's commitment to accessibility in their products. # 2008/11/27
• We've added social bookmarking and "Send this to a Friend" to the Mac-cessibility Site as a trial. Let us know what you think. # 2008/11/27
• Apple released Safari 3.2.1 today. No known accessibility changes, but a good update to have nonetheless. Stability is the focus. # 2008/11/25
• News: Comparing Accessibility of the Big Three Operating System http://www.lioncourt.com/?p=247 # 2008/11/21

Today in Cupertino, Apple announced significant changes to its line of notebook computers, a new Apple Cinema display model, and new pricing for these products.

The new MacBook and MacBook Pros employ a new manufacturing process which results in smaller, lighter, and more durable machines. These new MacBooks are made from a block of aluminum which is carved into the needed shape. This eliminates over half the parts needed in the previous generation of Apple notebooks.

Many of the new models include more powerful graphics processors from Nvidia. The MacBook Pro’s 15-inch incarnation includes both the GForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics cards. The user can choose which to use at any given time.

The newer aluminum MacBooks and MacBook Pros sport a glass trackpad which doubles as a mouse. It supports multi-touch and more gestures.

The new specifications and pricing are as follows:

• MacBook — The previous generation’s white plastic MacBook model will remain at a reduced price of $999.
• MacBook — 13.3-inch display, 2GHz Core 2 Duo / 3MB L2 cache, 2GB 1066MHz DDR 3 memory, GeForce 9400M, 160GB hard drive, slot-loading SuperDrive. $1299
• MacBook — Same as above except: 2.4GHz processor, 250GB hard drive, and a backlit keyboard. $1599
• MacBook Pro — 15.4-inch LED-backlit display. 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / 3MB L2. 2GB 1066 MGhz DDR 3 memory. Nvidia GForce 9400M and 9600M GT cards. 250GB hard drive. Slot-loading SuperDrive. $1999
• MacBook Pro — Same as above except: 2.53GHz processor, 6MB L2, 4GB of memory, 512MB on the 9600M Gt, 320GB hard drive. $2499
• MacBook Air — Mostly unchanged. 120GB hard drive and now includes the Nvidia GForce 9400M video card.
• Options — Several configuration options are available, most notably a 128GB solid-state drive is available for most models.

Additionally, there has been some changes made to the ports. The MacBooks no longer include Firewire support. The DVI video ports have been dropped in favor of the new Mini Display port.

Check back for more details as they become available.

As we reported earlier, Apple teamed up with GW Micro to make iTunes 8 accessible with Window-Eyes 7. This was accomplished by fully implementing MSAA (Microsoft Active Accessibility) in the iTunes software. What that means, ultimately, is that other screen readers can also take advantage of the new accessibility features in iTunes 8 if they so choose.

It is clear that Apple’s commitment to accessibility extends far beyond their operating system. They have gone far beyond the efforts of other high-profile technology manufacturers, and we are delighted to be able to report on these efforts.

Lioncourt.com just spent a few minutes speaking with Apple’s Mike Shebanek about the new accessibility features announced in Apple’s products today. We’ve learned a bit about how the iPod Nano 4G’s speaking menus work.

Understandably, a device as small and compact as the iPod Nano hardly has the processing power to generate text-to-speech (TTS) on the fly…at least, not speech that would be up to Apple’s standards. Instead, Apple has come up with a unique way to offer speech on the iPod Nano’s menus.

Enter iTunes 8.

iTunes 8 is now fully accessible for both visually impaired Mac and Windows users. When paired with an iPod Nano 4G, iTunes taps into your Mac or PC’s processing power to generate tiny audio files for the various menus, artists, album, song titles, in your library. When you sync, that information is sent to your iPod Nano 4G.

The software uses the system voice settings in either Mac or Windows. The great thing about this is you will be able to purchase third-party voices, such as the Infovox iVox family of voices offered by Assistiveware, and use them on your iPod Nano 4G, including voices for foreign languages. Of course, most people will be very happy with Alex, the built-in TTS voice included in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

Any changes to rate, volume, etc of your system voice will be respected and reflected on your iPod Nano 4G.

While the majority of features on the iPod Nano 4G are working with speech, there are some exceptions. Some games will not work, and the clock is not currently implemented. Mr. Shebanek stressed the fact that Apple wanted to get these features out to the visually impaired community now. They will move forward to perfect the system and listen to user feedback.

The BBC is reporting on a new technology being developed by a team of Japanese researchers which uses focused ultrasonic waves to produce the illusion of solid objects in mid-air to the sense of touch.

While still in its infancy, the researchers believe the technique could be used in video games to provide a more immersive experience. Audio and visual sensory input has been a major part of gaming for years, but the sense of touch has been hard to fully tap into. This technology could provide a way to more fully realized virtual experience.

However, to the blind, this technology could mean more. As the technology matures, it is easy to envision ways in which it may be used to provide tactile cues on touch screen devices like the iPhone or iPod Touch, or provide a less expensive and more easily maintained alternative to current Braille display technologies.