[SC-CSTD] FW: [AppleVis Newsletter] AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for December 2023
Steve Cook
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Sun Dec 31 13:38:18 UTC 2023
Steve Cook
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From: AppleVis <noreply at applevis.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2023 8:35 AM
To: cookcafe at sc.rr.com
Subject: [AppleVis Newsletter] AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for December 2023
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AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for December 2023
Welcome to the December 2023 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, your monthly digest of the latest and most notable content on the AppleVis website. This edition features a curated selection of community-submitted updates, including new app entries, updates, news, and podcasts.
New and Noteworthy App Entries
EchoVis Street (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
A simple audio game simulating visual disabilities. The goal is to cross the crowded street safely listening to the sounds of passing cars.
EchoVis Street is a simple audio game, aimed for blind and visually impaired people. The main goal of this game is to present one of many possibilities of use the mobile devices to develop ability to use hearing skills by visually impaired people. We recommend sight persons also to try their skills in this area.
This game consist several levels, each with a different traffic sounds simulation.
The player’s main objective is to cross the road in the virtual environment avoiding to be hit by a passing car or tram.
This should be done in base of acoustic informations analysis arriving to the player’s ears. Therefore, we recommend playing with stereophonic headphones connected to your smartphone and without looking at mobile phone screen. All of the necessary communicates are being read with use of text to speech synthesizer
Current Version: 1.0 (December 3, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/education/echovis-street> EchoVis Street’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/echovis-street/id1440588932> EchoVis Street’s App Store page
See also:
* EchoVis Game <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/education/echovis-game>
* EchoVis Quiz <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/education/echovis-quiz>
Voice of the Ancients (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
Let me tell you a story! Meanwhile, you can sit at the fireplace, close your eyes, and listen to the tale about ancient hidden treasures and secret societies. This time, you won’t just listen. You will be the hero of the story. It will be your adventure. Your voice guides the way. Can you solve the mystery just with your voice?
My game is highly optimized for blind and visually impaired people (thanks to the extensive testing by the AppleVis forum members). Still, I developed the game also for other kinds of users:
For intermediate and advanced English learners, this game offers an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your spoken English skills. And for all adventure enthusiasts, this game rekindles the power of imagination, often stifled by the graphical grandeur of modern video games.
Unleash your inner detective and unravel the mysteries that lie ahead, solely using your voice as your compass.
With the first episode available for free, what are you waiting for? Embark on this extraordinary journey today and discover the magic of storytelling through voice.
Current Version: 1.0 (December 5, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/voice-ancients> Voice of the Ancients’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voice-of-the-ancients/id1142099795> Voice of the Ancients’s App Store page
Wipr (iOS/iPadOS, US$1.99)
Wipr blocks all ads, trackers, cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices, and other annoyances, so you can focus on the content that matters to you.
It works in Safari and all apps that use Safari to display web pages.
* Web pages load a lot faster with Wipr, and much less needs to be downloaded. Your mobile devices will love this.
* Wipr prevents countless trackers from invading your privacy. Wipr itself cannot, nor wants to, know what you do on the web.
* By using a new technology called Content Blocking Extensions, Wipr can do its job without slowing down Safari at all.
* Wipr’s blocklist is updated twice a week to keep up with the ever-changing web.
* No one can pay to unblock ads. There are no “acceptable ads”. Wipr only answers to you.
* Wipr will use an enhanced blocklist for Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese speakers.
* You can set up Wipr in seconds, and it will update automatically in the background to block future annoyances. There is no configuration.
Current Version: 1.51 (December 30, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/productivity/wipr> Wipr’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wipr/id1030595027> Wipr’s App Store page
All recent app entries posted to AppleVis can be found at:
iOS/iPadOS <https://www.applevis.com/apps/latest?type=ios_app_directory>
Mac <https://www.applevis.com/apps/latest?type=mac_app_directory>
Apple Watch <https://www.applevis.com/apps/latest?type=watch_directory>
Apple TV <https://www.applevis.com/apps/latest?type=tv_directory>
Notable App Updates
Supersense - AI for Blind (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
Supersense is the smartest and simplest scanner app made for the blind and visually impaired users to read any text format, currency or product details from a barcode independently.
With the power of AI, Supersense automatically figures out what you are trying to scan, guides you on how to point the camera, and reads the content in the right format. Its unique design minimizes the time and frustrations of scanning and reading text for a blind and visually impaired user.
Full features of Supersense:
* Smart Scanner: The app automatically detects whether you are trying to quickly read a piece of text, a long document, a currency or a barcode.
* Smart Guidance: The app guides you on how to point the camera and finds the best angle to have the most accurate results
* Quick Read: Instantly read the text presented in front of the rear camera
* Document: Read longer documents with the assistance of smart guidance. Once the text has been recognized, use VoiceOver commands to navigate through the recognized text and share it to other apps.
* Multipage Scanning: Scan documents with multiple pages simultaneously and navigate through the text.
* Currency: Recognize currencies and hear the value of a banknote
* Barcode: Scan barcodes to hear the name and brand of the products with additional information
* Object Explorer and Find: Scan your physical environment and hear about the objects that are around.
* Import: Read and explore text from the images and PDF files. Also you can send them directly from any other apps with using “Recognize with Supersense” tool in your share menu.
* Read History: Displays your recognition history in a single screen.
Current Version: 1.10.25 (December 22, 2023)
Changes in Version 1.10.24
1. Snap and Explore: A new take-a-picture button is added to the Smart Scanner that will analyze your photos instantly with the most advanced AI technology and provide detailed information about your surroundings.
2. Ask Questions: Do you have any further questions about the picture or a document? Ask away and get all the details!
3. AI-Powered Text Description: The document scanner now extracts and presents the most important insights of the content you have scanned at the top of the reading screen.
4. Auto Translate: Set up your desired language and display automatically translated results without any further effort
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/productivity/supersense-ai-blind> Supersense - AI for Blind’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/supersense-ai-for-blind/id1484547836?mt=8> Supersense - AI for Blind’s App Store page
VoiceVista (iOS/iPadOS, Free)
VoiceVista is a critical application for the blind and low vision users’ community. It is built upon Microsoft’s discontinued and open-source project Soundscape (https://aka.ms/ossblog) and is licensed under the MIT License (https://github.com/microsoft/soundscape/blob/main/LICENSE.txt).
The app leverages advanced iOS audio technology and precise location services to empower individuals in developing a heightened sense of their environment. It offers reassurance in unfamiliar settings, assisting users in forming mental maps and confidently navigating their desired routes.
Current Version: 1.2.8 (December 22, 2023)
Changes in December
* Nudge marker location
* Option for degree direction style
* Option to disable beacon sound effect
* Alert distance setting for each marker individually
* Places offline searching and markers filtering
* Wizard style UI for navigation parameters
* New place type: tram stop
* Customization for POI Range Multiplier and beacon arrival message
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/navigation/voicevista> VoiceVista’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voicevista/id6450388413> VoiceVista’s App Store page
Recent News and Views
Be My Eyes, Timecrest, and Zanagrams Named 2023 AppleVis Golden Apple Award Winners
By AppleVis | December 10, 2023
We are pleased to announce that the winners of the twelfth annual AppleVis Golden Apple Awards are Be My Eyes, Timecrest, and Zanagrams.
Since their launch in 2012, the AppleVis Golden Apple Awards have afforded blind and low vision users of Apple products an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication which developers have put into making and maintaining great and accessible applications over the given year. The respective teams behind Be My Eyes, Timecrest, and Zanagrams are demonstrably worthy recipients of this honour in 2023 for their commitment to accessible app development.
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low vision users with sighted volunteers around the world via live video chat. Users can request help with daily tasks like reading labels, matching clothes, using appliances, reading screens, and more. The app also includes an AI image description tool called “Be My AI”, introduced in 2023, to provide visual assistance, as well as options to connect with company reps for accessible customer support. With over 7 million volunteers speaking 185 languages, help is available any time of day in 150+ countries. Be My Eyes aims to foster independence and inclusion for the blind and low vision community. As the runaway winner of the Best App category with over 60% of votes, Be My Eyes demonstrated tremendous community support and impact in empowering blind and low vision users this past year.
In a tightly contested race, Timecrest and Zanagrams gained exactly the same number of votes, edging out other nominated games by a slim margin to jointly win the Best Game category.
Timecrest is an interactive fantasy novel where players become the protagonist who is contacted by a young mage named Ash. Ash’s world of Alyncia faces destruction and players have the time magic ability to help save it. As the story unfolds, choices shape relationships and unlock one of many endings across a narrative spanning over 640,000 words. The game also features an emotional, cinematic soundtrack. Timecrest aims to provide a deeply immersive adventure through rich characters, high stakes and meaningful decisions. In 2023, the developers entirely rewrote Timecrest 1: Fated Connections to bring it up to the level of adventure, mystery, and emotion that they said it has always deserved.
Zanagrams is a word game, launched in 2023, that challenges players to solve six clue-based anagrams per puzzle, with the letters jumbled across the screen buttons. Users tap letters to spell out the answers, which disables those buttons to narrow choices down to the remaining letters. The game features over 20 free puzzles with 120 anagrams, hints to reveal parts of words, accessibility support for vision impairments, competitive scoring modes, friend leaderboards, and additional themed puzzle packs available for purchase.
Read more: “Be My Eyes, Timecrest, and Zanagrams Named 2023 AppleVis Golden Apple Award Winners” <https://www.applevis.com/blog/be-my-eyes-timecrest-zanagrams-named-2023-applevis-golden-apple-award-winners>
Apple News
* iOS and iPadOS 17.2 Arrive with Journal App Plus Camera, Messages, Weather Improvements and Bug Fixes <https://www.applevis.com/blog/ios-ipados-172-arrive-journal-app-plus-camera-messages-weather-improvements-bug-fixes>
* Apple’s macOS 14.2 Release Aims to Finally Resolve Longstanding “Safari Not Responding” Bug While watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 17.2 Also Launch <https://www.applevis.com/blog/apples-macos-142-release-aims-finally-resolve-longstanding-safari-not-responding-bug-while>
* Could Apple Have Finally Squashed the Longstanding “Safari Not Responding” macOS Bug? <https://www.applevis.com/blog/could-apple-have-finally-squashed-longstanding-safari-not-responding-macos-bug>
* Apple Releases iOS 17.2.1 and macOS Sonoma 14.2.1 With Bug Fixes <https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-ios-1721-macos-sonoma-1421-bug-fixes>
This Month in Podcasts
Podcasts by Thomas Domville
* Share passwords and passkeys with people you trust on iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/share-passwords-passkeys-people-you-trust-ios>
* Super Sliding Puzzle Game: Brain-Teasing Fun in Your Pocket <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/super-sliding-puzzle-game-brain-teasing-fun-your-pocket>
* Exploring Siri’s Health Data Access on iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/exploring-siri-s-health-data-access-ios>
* How to Change the Default Notification Alert in iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/how-change-default-notification-alert-ios>
* Voice of the Ancients - A Voice-Based Adventure Game for iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/voice-ancients-voice-based-adventure-game-ios>
* Privacy Unlocked: Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection for iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/privacy-unlocked-advanced-tracking-fingerprinting-protection-ios>
* Zanagrams: The iOS Word Game That Will Challenge Your Brain <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/zanagrams-ios-word-game-will-challenge-your-brain>
Hot AppleVis Content
Here are some of the most talked-about posts from the past month:
* Opera surtitling for Braille readers via VoiceOver <https://www.applevis.com/forum/app-development-programming/opera-surtitling-braille-readers-voiceover>
* Hell Hunter 2 - Damned Soul mobile version is finally released! <https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados-gaming/hell-hunter-2-damned-soul-mobile-version-finally-released>
* Three new ear training tools for orientation from Echovis <https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/three-new-ear-training-tools-orientation-echovis>
* Oh no another boring game from Woodside Apps <https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados-gaming/oh-no-another-boring-game-woodside-apps>
* Blasted Siri voices and Voiceover! They’re always deleted! <https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/blasted-siri-voices-voiceover-theyre-always-deleted>
Club AppleVis
As we reach the end of another successful year for the AppleVis community, we wanted to send our heartfelt thanks to all current and past Club AppleVis members for your support. Without the support of donors like you, AppleVis simply would not be possible. Your belief in the value of the community we have built together and the help, information, and support it provides truly means a lot to all of us here. Thank you for investing in our community and we look forward to your continued involvement.
By joining Club AppleVis, members and friends of our community can directly support the financial costs of operating AppleVis, ensuring that we can continue to provide valuable information, help, and support. Your contribution will support our mission and help ensure the success of AppleVis. Become a part of our special donor community today!
To learn more about Club AppleVis and how you can join, please visit www.applevis.com/club-applevis <https://www.applevis.com/club-applevis>
We wish you and your loved ones all the very best for 2024.
The AppleVis Editorial Team
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