• The iPod shuffle models have been physically redesigned, but still include VoiceOver navigation of their playlists and content. Buttons have been re-introduced. Pricing begins at $49 USD.
• The iPod nano lineup has been drastically redesigned with a 3X3 CM touch screen and iOS-like interface. It has dropped video and camera support, but still includes VoiceOver. The nanos are available in 8 and 16GB capacities for $149 or $179 USD, respectively.
• The iPod touch has been updated to a slimmer form factor, sports a retina display like its iPhone 4 cousin, includes front and rear cameras, will support FaceTime video calling, and will run iOS 4.1. Prices range from $229 for 8GB to $399 for 64GB capacities.
• iTunes version 10 will be released today, with support for Apple’s new music-based social networking platform, Ping. It will be available as a free download for both Mac and Windows users.
• iOS 4.1 will be released to users next week, and includes many bug fixes, including those for reported iPhone 4 proximity sensor issues, BlueTooth connectivity, and more. 4.1 includes GameCenter support for competing with friends on iOS games. The update will be available as a free update via iTunes.
• iOS 4.2, the next successive update after next week’s 4.1, will arrive in November. The update will bring parity across all iOS devices. Features such as multi-tasking, folders, etc, will finally be available on the iPad. The update will also provide wireless printing from iOS devices for the first time. iOS 4.2 will be a free update for all iOS 4 capable devices, including the iPad.
• The second generation AppleTV has been entirely redesigned from the ground up. It includes a much smaller form factor, support for Netflix streaming, and iTunes rentals. Episodes of television series will be offered for $.99 USD to rent on the device. Video, audio, and photographic content can be streamed directly to the AppleTV from other iOS devices, as well as from iTunes on your Mac or PC. Will the Apple TV include VOiceOver support? We don’t know for sure. When we asked Apple Accessibility, they said they could not comment on features for products that are not yet shipping. This deflection gives us hope. The AppleTV will be priced at $99 USD.

• Sync with iPhone 4 to enjoy your favorite music, movies, TV shows, books and more on-the-go
• Sync and read books with iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4 and iBooks 1.1
• Organize and sync PDF documents as books. Read PDFs with iBooks 1.1 on iPad and any iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4
• Organize your apps on your iOS 4 home screens into folders using iTunes
• Faster back-ups while syncing an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4
• Album artwork improvements make artwork appear more quickly when exploring your library

iTunes is available via the "Software Update" mechanism on Mac OS X, or by download from Apple’s iTunes page.

This book provides the latest information on the accessible iPods created by Apple – the fourth and fifth generation iPod Nanos and the third generation iPod Shuffle – and the latest version of iTunes. Anna Dresner walks you through getting started with iTunes and using all the accessible features on these iPods. You’ll learn to import music into iTunes; use the iTunes store; sync music, audiobooks, podcasts and video to your iPod; and much more. Appendices provide answers to frequently asked questions and resources for keeping up with new iPod developments.?

The title is available in hard copy braille, electronic braille, print, and dAISY, on disk or as a download from this link.

For more about Anna Dresner, visit her author page at NBP.

There have been two transformative moments in my professional career that I associate with gaining equal access to the printed word. The first was in the mid-’90s, when, as a university researcher, my department obtained a braille embosser and access to the fledgling Internet. One afternoon, a graduate assistant who worked with me casually dropped a braille copy of the cover article from that week’s Time magazine on my desk. For the first time, I could read the same text as my sighted colleagues at the same time they did.

The second transformative moment took place Monday evening, April 5, 2010. On that night, I purchased a book from a book store, exactly as my sighted neighbors and colleagues would. I then sat in my den and read that book on the same device as my sighted counterparts.

Be sure to click (or tap) here to read the full review.

A lot has changed since the introduction of VoiceOver. Here are some highlights:

• The creation of the Mac Visionaries community of visually impaired Mac users
• The birth of the Screenless Switchers podcast
• The introduction of Mac-cessibility
• The release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard with VoiceOver enhancements
• iTunes introduces Closed Captioning in movie downloads
• NFB publishes their first flawed review of VoiceOver in Leopard
• Apple presents at CSUN
• Apple’s access efforts gains mainstream attention on MacWorld
• Apple extends its educational discount to students of Hadley School for the Blind
• AFB erroneously claims users can’t sync music with iTunes and VoiceOver
• OpenOffice gains Mac accessibility
• Full VoiceOver support is announced for iTunes
• iPod nanos gain speaking menus for accessibility
• Apple teams up with GW Micro to improve accessibility of iTunes in Windows
• Apple launches official accessibility site
• Apple and NFB reach agreement on iTunes access
• AccessWorld publishes a more accurate review of VoiceOver
• iWork becomes accessible
• The Mac-cessibility Round Table podcast is launched
• Apple announces and releases the iPhone 3GS with VoiceOver
• The VIPhone community is born
• NFB publishes a highly inaccurate review of VoiceOver, prompting community responses
• The Mac-cessibility Network is launched
• Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is released with huge improvements to VOiceOver
• iPhone OS 3.1 is released with enhanced access
• Assistiveware releases Proloquo2Go for the iPhone
• Digidesign demonstrates upcoming access to ProTools
• The NFB publishes a more accurate look at VoiceOver
• Apple unveils the iPad, which includes the same access features as the iPhone
• iBooks to include VoiceOver accessibility
• iPad is released with spectacular accessibility

Adobe understands how important it is for computer users with disabilities to be able to access the entire Internet. In recognition of the needs of computer users with disabilities, as well as the demands on developers who need to easily create applications and content which comply with global accessibility standards, Adobe is planning major upgrades to the accessibility support in Adobe Flash Player.

The upgrades expand on Flash Player’s existing support for accessibility via the Microsoft Active Accessibility interface (MSAA) and will enable accessibility across all three major operating systems (Windows, Mac, and Linux). The Flash Player will employ IAccessible2 from the Linux Foundation and the WAI-ARIA specification from the W3C to address user and developer needs and to ease interoperability with assistive technology vendors.

Additionally, enhancement are planned to the free and open-source Flex software developer’s kit (SDK) including improvements to complex components such as Flex datagrids and adding support for WAI-ARIA to simplify development of custom user interface components. These improvements are expected to start with the next major release of Adobe Flash Player (following Flash Player 10.1), and the first successive release of the Flex SDK.

We are cautiously optimistic that Adobe will hold to this commitment, despite the lack of accessibility in native iPhone applications built using the Flash platform, which we strongly encourage Adobe to rectify.

The real question, ultimately, will be whether or not the accessibility of Flash and Flex will be adequate, as well as whether Adobe will be as successful in encouraging developers to support accessibility as Apple has been.

We applaud this announcement. This is the first step in the right direction, but Adobe has a long road ahead of them to convince Mac and iPhone users with disabilities of their commitment to accessibility. Here’s hoping that Adobe has turned a new page in accessibility of their products.

Unlike its competition, VMWare Fusion has always been quite accessible with VoiceOver, providing visually impaired users with the most accessible installation process for the Windows OS.

Version 3 continues this tradition of accessibility, though the software works somewhat differently from previous versions from a VoiceOver user’s perspective. The most notable difference is when the user wishes to direct keyboard input to the virtual machine. The simplest method to accomplish this task seems to be to turn off VoiceOver with Command-F5, and then press Command-G. At that point, the user can reactivate VoiceOver and use the software as in previous versions.

For more information on VMWare Fusion 3‘s fifty-plus new features, click here to read the "What’s New" document.

VMware Fusion 3 provides more than 50 new features and enhancements, including optimization for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. The new version will be available on 27/October/2009 for $79.99 USD, or $39.99 for existing VMWare Fusion users.

• Triple-click Home

  Now you can quickly toggle Universal Access features by triple-clicking the home button. Choices are to turn VoiceOver on or off, turn Zoom on or off, turn White on Black on or off, or to ask which setting you prefer.

  To set the Triple-click Home function: In Settings, choose General->Accessibility->Triple-click Home and choose the function you want.

• Gesture Practice

  You can now learn and practice VoiceOver gestures. In Settings, choose General->Accessibility->VoiceOver->Practice Gestures.

• Select / Cut / Copy text

  You can use VO to copy, cut and paste text. Use the rotor to choose Edit. Flick up or down to choose between the Select and Select All functions, then double tap. If you chose Select, the word closest to the insertion point is selected when you double-tap. If you chose Select All, the entire text is selected. When text is selected, Cut, Copy, and Paste options appear on the screen. (Paste appears only if you’ve previously copied text.)

  Use open and close pinch gestures to fine-tune the selection.

  To Cut, Copy, or Paste: With text selected, flick up or down to choose Cut, Copy, or Paste, then double-tap. Double-tap again to dismiss the editing options and place the insertion point at the end of the text area.

  To Undo: Shake iPhone, flick left or right to choose the action to undo, then double-tap.

• Additional rotor settings

  On web pages, you can now select and hear static text as well as zoom in or out.

• Pasting a phone number into the keypad

  You can paste phone numbers into the keypad instead of dialing them manually. If the phone number you copied contains letters, iPhone automatically converts them into the appropriate digits to dial.

• Setting Insertion Point in edit text fields

  To begin editing, you double tap to display the insertion point and bring up the onscreen keyboard. If the field already contains text, the insertion point is placed at the beginning or at the end of the
  text automatically.

• Navigating a List Index

  Some lists have an alphabetical index along the right side. The index cannot be selected by flicking between elements; you must touch the
  list index directly to select it. With the index selected, flick up or down to move through the index. Or, select the list index, then double-tap and slide your finger up or down to move through the index quickly.

• Opening Links in Mail Messages

  In mail, double-tap and hold down on a link. The address is displayed and you can choose to open the link in Safari or copy the link address to the clipboard.

• Editing Videos and Voice Memos

  You can use VoiceOver gestures to trim videos and Voice Memo recordings.

  To trim a video: While viewing a video, double-tap the screen to display the video controls. Select the beginning or end of the trim tool. Then flick up to drag to the right, flick down to drag to the left. VoiceOver announces the amount of time that will be trimmed from the recording. Select the Trim button and double tap to execute the trim.

  To trim a voice memo: In Voice Memos, select the button to the right of a recorded memo you want to trim, then double-tap. Select the Trim Memo button and double- tap. Select the beginning or end of the trim tool. Flick up to drag to
  the right and flick down to drag to the left. VoiceOver announces the amount of time that will be trimmed from the recording. Select the Trim Voice Memo button and double-tap to execute the trim.

• PDF file support

  VO can read PDF files attached to Mail messages.

• Voice Control using a Bluetooth headset

  You can enter spoken Voice Control commands through a bluetooth headset in addition to the earbuds and built-in microphone.

• Using Maps

  With VoiceOver, you can select pins that mark locations, and get information about locations.

  To select a pin: Touch a pin, or flick left and right to select a pin. To get information about a location, select a pin, then double-tap to display the information flag. Flick left or right to select the flag, then double-tap to display the information page.

• Saving a photo or video attachment to a Camera Roll album

  Touch and hold the image or video, then tap Save Image or Video.

• Creating a Genius Playlist

  To browse Genius Mixes: Tap Genius. The number of dots above the Dock shows the number of mixes you have synced from iTunes, and indicates which mix you’re viewing. Flick left or right to view additional mixes. You can sync up to twelve Genius Mixes from your iTunes library on your computer.

• Compass

  VoiceOver automatically announces the compass heading when there is a change in direction of 5-degrees or more.

• Rearranging the Home screen

  VoiceOver speaks the row and column position as you drag the icon. Release the icon when it’s in the location you want. You can drag additional icons. Drag an item to the left or right edge of the screen to move it to another page of the Home screen. When you’re finished rearranging the icons, press the Home button.

  When iPhone is connected to your computer, you can also rearrange the Home screen icons using iTunes 9. Select iPhone in the sidebar, then click the Applications tab.

The iPhone OS 3.1 details are scarce as yet, but the update includes pre-cut ring tones from the major record labels.

iTunes 9, the latest version of Apple’s popular media management software, comes with a plethora of new features, including application organization for iPhone/iPod Touch users, iTunes LP to provide extra content with album purchases, Genius Mixes, and iTunes Extras to provide additional content with movie titles.

The iPod Touch has been revamped, now with three models. An 8GB model is available for $199, a 32GB for $299, and a 64GB model for $399. The 32GB and 64GB models include a processor that is 50 percent faster than the previous generation, presumably making it possible to run VoiceOver, though we do not have confirmation of this yet.

The iPod Classic also received a minor boost. Still alive and kicking, Apple’s iPod in the Classic format is now available in a 160GB configuration for the same price of $249.

The iPod Shuffle line also received a minor update, with 2GB models now at $59, and 4GB models for $79. A special edition polished stainless steel model is available for $99. The Shuffles are now available in additional colors, and Apple is working with third-party manufacturers to make additional headsets with controls available.

The iPod Nano received a significant update. The popular media player now doubles as a video camera, capable of recording high quality video with audio and syncing it back to your computer. VoiceOver, presumably the variety available on the Shuffles, is now offered on the Nano, along with a voice recorder, FM radio tuner, and pedometer. The new Nanos are available in 8GB and 16GB models for $149 and $179 respectively.

As soon as we have additional information on accessibility of these new products, we’ll report it.

It’s time for this month’s edition of the Mac-cessibility Round Table Podcast. This month’s episode is #2, entitled "Sedated". Josh de Lioncourt’s sound quality is not quite on par this time, for which we apologize. He was travelling and away from his usual equipment.

Topics covered:

• Introduce this month’s panelists, including Holly Anderson, Darcy Burnard, Cara Quinn, Eric Troup, and Josh de Lioncourt.
• Accessibility of third-party products, and the response from developers to Apple’s approach to access.
• Front Row and what it offers the visually impaired in comparison to other home entertainment products.
• DRM-free music and variable pricing has come to iTunes.
• The new "Get a Mac" ads.

Other resources and show notes:

• Holly’s pick – Apple Airport Express
• Darcy’s pick – Understudy for Front Row
• Josh’s pick – Zoom for Mac
• Cara’s pick – Audacity
• Eric’s pick – VMWare Fusion

On Monday, 13/April, Jim Denham will be presenting "An Overview of an Accessible Leopard" for AccessibleWorld.org, a division of Helping Hands for the Blind..

The Mac OS X operating system includes some powerful accessibility features for users who are blind or visually impaired. The built-in VoiceOver screen reading software provides fantastic access to the Mac via text-to-speech, Braille, an extensive help system, and reliable access to most applications.

The Tek Talk session to be held on 13/April will introduce users to the powerful screen review software included with all versions of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

The powerful Navigation and help features of VoiceOver and the Mac will be demonstrated. The session will also include information for sighted trainers who need to provide instruction to persons who are visually impaired. Finally, the ability to easily and efficiently switch between the Mac and Windows operating systems will be shown.

Date: Monday, 13/April/2009
Time: 5:00 PM PDT, 6:00 PM MDT, 7:00 PM CDT, and 8:00 PM EDT
(Outside the US, 14/April/2009, 12:00 AM GMT.)

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live, you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on AccessibleWorld.org.

First-time users of the Talking Communities online conferencing software will need to download the small application. A link to the software is available on every
entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

Today, Apple updated iTunes, its popular multimedia playback and management software, to version 8.1.1. The changes include fixes for VoiceOver support and iPhone/iPod Touch syncing, though what these fixes are specifically is unclear at present, save for the ability to tab from field to field through the iTunes interface, which had ceased to work in version 8.1. (Update! – This bug will not be entirely corrected until you have restarted VoiceOver after updating iTunes.)

Support for HD movie rentals on Macs and PC’s, something previously only offered on the AppleTV set-top box, was also part of the update.

In the last several days, Apple has added nearly three hundred new movie rentals to the iTunes Store, as reported by Ars Technica.

Tonight, Apple has release version 8.1 of their popular iTunes music jukebox and media management application. Apple release notes specifically mention accessibility.

iTunes 8.1 claims to be faster and more responsive. The release notes state that you’ll enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing. Other changes noted are:

• Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).
• Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ.
• Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.
• Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.
• Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods.
• Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus.
• Includes many accessibility improvements.
• Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.

As soon as we have specifics on what accessibility enhancements are included, we’ll be sure to post the news.

You can receive the latest update through the Mac OS X "Software Update" option in the Apple menu, or download both Mac and PC versions from the iTunes web site.

Continuing their welcome about-face where regards Apple and the accessibility of their products, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) have published an article in the January 2009 issue of AccessWorld, reviewing the iPod Nano 4G, iTunes 8 for both Mac and Windows, and the I-Tell device.

Once again, this review by Darren Burton provides a fair and objective look at Apple’s accessibility efforts, and is therefore quite positive. It reviews in depth the fourth generation iPod Nano, its use with the new spoken interface, the accessibility of iTunes under both the Mac and Windows operating systems, and a look at comparable and competing products.

While the article has a couple of inaccuracies, (i.e., the default voice used by the iPod Nano for Mac users is the system voice, not the VoiceOver default voice), it is nonetheless a good piece, and we continue to welcome this change from the AFB.

You can check out the article by clicking here.

AccessWorld is a technology-focused publication by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) that reviews the accessibility and usability of a wide array of products for the blind and visually impaired.

Today, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) announced a cooperative agreement with Apple Inc. to make Apple’s iTunes software more accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Earlier this month, Apple released iTunes 8 with substantial improvements to accessibility for both Mac and Windows users. Under the agreement between Apple and the NFB, Apple will make iTunes U accessible by 31/December, 2008, and will provide full access to the iTunes application by 30/June, 2009.

Over a span of three years, Apple will continue to work with the NFB to maintain accessibility in iTunes for the visually impaired. Apple will donate $250,000 to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to assist the agency in providing adaptive technology to blind residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

It is interesting to note the timing of this announcement. It comes just one day after Freedom Scientific announced iTunes support in its Jaws for Windows screen reading software. The NFB made no such fanfare when GW Micro announced its work with Apple on iTunes accessibility with Window-Eyes earlier this year, when that accessibility came to fruition earlier this month, or when the vast majority of the iTunes application became accessible with Apple’s VoiceOver screen reading technology for Mac OS X in early 2007.

Nevertheless, Apple has shown tremendous commitment to blind and visually impaired computer users over the last several years with the development and release of VoiceOver, Braille display support in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, access to iTunes under both Mac and WIndows operating systems, iPods with speaking menus, and countless updates to their own OS and software to improve accessibility. It’s about time that an organization like the NFB took notice.

Today, Freedom Scientific announced support in Jaws for Windows versions 8, 9, and 10 for iTunes. As we reported previously, access to iTunes 8 under Windows was a result of an effort between Apple and GW Micro, the makers of Window-Eyes. Freedom Scientific has used this implementation of MSAA to build support into the Jaws for Windows screen reader as well.

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.

In addition to the massive accessibility improvements to iTunes 8 with VoiceOver on the Macintosh platform, GW Micro has just announced that they have been working closely with Apple to bring the Windows version of iTunes 8 to users of Window-Eyes, the most powerful screen reading solution for the PC.

In a statement posted by GW Micro on their public mailing list, Aaron Smith writes:

Some of you have hinted that the new software feature were were hiding in Window-Eyes 7.0 was support for iTunes. Well, guess what? You were correct. iTunes 8 has just been released, and it works very nicely with Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 3. Even the iTunes store is now completely accessible in Browse Mode.

GW Micro and Apple have been working together to increase the accessibility of iTunes, and the

latest version of both products proves the success of that collaboration.

While there still may be a few quirks here and there, I encourage you to download iTunes 8 (assuming you’re running Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 3), and try it now.

Apple’s commitment to accessibility seems to now be extending to Windows users as well. This is a fantastic improvement and we’re glad to see access to iTunes being offered to visually impaired PC users as well.