[SC-CSTD] FW: [AppleVis Newsletter] AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for January 2023
Steve Cook
cookcafe at sc.rr.com
Wed Feb 1 10:54:19 UTC 2023
Steve Cook
If you would like to join the Computer Science & Technology Division for the NFB of SC list serve, please send a message to SC-cstd-subscribe at nfbnet.org <mailto:SC-cstd-subscribe at nfbnet.org>
National Association of Guide Dog Users Board Member
President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
1st Vice President of the Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
1st Vice President of the SC Association of Guide Dog Users Division
From: support at applevis.com <support at applevis.com> On Behalf Of The AppleVis Editorial Team
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 2:25 PM
To: cookcafe at sc.rr.com
Subject: [AppleVis Newsletter] AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for January 2023
View in browser <https://www.applevis.com/newsletter/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-january-2023>
AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for January 2023
Welcome to the January 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
Bookshare Reader (iOS/iPadOS, Free)
Get the official Bookshare Reader app. Access millions of ebooks from Bookshare, the world’s largest library of ebooks for people with reading barriers like dyslexia, blindness, low vision, and physical disabilities. Listen to books in high quality audio and customize your reading experience in ways that work for you. Read bestsellers, new releases, textbooks and educational books, children’s books, young adult, mysteries, biographies, and more.
Current Version: 1.1.0 (January 23, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/education/bookshare-reader> Bookshare Reader’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bookshare-reader/id1605201737> Bookshare Reader’s App Store page
ClipTools (macOS, Free)
ClipTools provides a variety of useful utility functions right in your Menu Bar.
* Clipboard Manager: Plain text and rich text clips are kept right at the top of the menu, with more stored in a submenu so as to keep things compact.
* Saved Clips: Save clips to another submenu for later use.
* Smart Clips: Create powerful smart clips with extra functionality like prompting for input or including parts of copied clips.
* Group Paste: Paste several clips at once.
* Date and Time: Paste the date and time in any format you like.
* Lorem Ipsum: Paste sample text in a variety of lengths.
* Change Case: Standard options plus customizable Headline Case and creative alternatives.
* Selection Actions: Convert numbers to words, strip tags or sort lines.
* Calculations: Type a math formula and paste the result, or select a formula in text and convert it to the result.
* Stacks: Add numbers to a list and get the sum and averages, perform calculations and paste the results.
* Keyboard Shortcuts: Access the entire menu with the keyboard, or assign specific functions to a keyboard shortcut.
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/mac/productivity/cliptools> ClipTools’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cliptools/id1619348240> ClipTools’s App Store page
FruitPot 2 (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
If you liked FruitPot 1 you will love FruitPot 2: similar gameplay but with all new stores and mini-games, and set in the 80s.
* Innovative ever-changing fruit machine slot.
* More than 15 mini-games that appear as you progress through the game.
* Original gameplay where you have to spend the Bucks you get at the games buying items in stores at the mall.
* Great sounds and graphics.
* No internet connection is required to play, also no personal data gathering or subscriptions.
* 100% Accessible with VoiceOver, as it always should be.
Current Version: 1.230130 (January 30, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/fruitpot-2> FruitPot 2’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruitpot-2/id6444378324> FruitPot 2’s App Store page
Thwip (watchOS, Free)
Thwip is your personal sound effects soundboard, right on your wrist.
Enhance any joke with an appropriate “badum tss”, an awkward moment with “crickets”, or an epic announcement with “air horn” — you can play all these sounds from the surprisingly loud speaker on your watch.
But there’s more — with “Thwip Mode” you can feel 0.5% more like you are a cool arachnid-based super-hero… at least you’ll sound more like one. I trust you.
Included sound effects:
* Air horn
* Rim shot
* Dramatic horn
* Tadaaaaa
* Sad trombone
* Service bell
* Crickets
* Power-full Rangers?
* Web-shooting
Have fun!
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/watch/utilities/thwip> Thwip’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thwip/id1523810458> Thwip’s App Store page
Tusker (iOS/iPadOS, Free)
Tusker is a free and flexible client for the Mastodon social network and other compatible services.
Features:
* Notification grouping: Combine favorite, boost, and follow notifications into a single row to get a more glance-able view of your notifications.
* Timeline sync: Keep your timeline position across all your devices using iCloud.
* Customize timelines: Pick which timelines (including lists and hashtags) are pinned to your home tab, and apply filters to hide posts you’re not interested in.
* Tweak your experience: Tusker has a wide variety of preferences to allow you to customize how you use the app. From changing the appearance and interactions, to configuring how content warnings work, Tusker supports it all.
* Digital wellness options: Tusker has a variety of preferences to help you manage how you use social media, including by turning infinite scrolling off or showing all images in grayscale.
* Accessibility: VoiceOver, Voice Control, Dynamic Type, and more are all fully supported.
* Multiple accounts: Sign in to multiple accounts and quickly switch between them.
* Modern Mastodon features: Support editing filters, viewing trending posts/hashtags/links, following hashtags, and more.
* Broad software compatibility: Tusker also has builtin support for the Glitch and Hometown variants of Mastodon; as well as Pleroma, a Mastodon alternative; and PixelFed, a photo-sharing social network.
Current Version: 2023.3 (January 26, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/social-networking/tusker> Tusker’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tusker/id1498334597> Tusker’s App Store page
Yattee (iOS/iPadOS, Free)
Yattee is an advanced video and audio player, for your local and remote files and media links.
FEATURES
* Two built-in player engines: system player (AVPlayer) and advanced mpv player
* Queueing system
* Play from anywhere
* Playback modes
* Custom player controls
* Control quality of playback
* Inspect media tracks
* Play in Picture in Picture and music in background
* Many customization settings
* Completely no ads and no video sponsor segments
Current Version: 1.4.2 (December 5, 2022)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/entertainment/yattee> Yattee’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yattee/id1595136629> Yattee’s App Store page
Zuzanka (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
Zuzanka is the world’s first expiry date scanner. The app makes it easy to locate expiration dates on food products, converts them to text format and allows export to other applications. Zuzanka was created to support the blind and visually impaired people, but it will be useful to anyone who wants to keep their kitchen tidy.
Having trouble finding the expiration date on the packaging? Can’t see the small font that the date is written in? Do you want to check if the product in your fridge is still edible? The Zuzanka app is for you!
* Easily find the expiration date on the packaging. The guiding sounds generated by your device will help you with this. If the scanned date indicates that the product is expired, the application will additionally inform you about it.
* Wondering where to look for expiration dates? Check out the special section where we share our experience gained by taking several thousand photos of expiration dates.
* Do you have doubts whether the app recognized the date correctly? No problem. Share a photo with a friend. You can also zoom and rotate the scanned expiration date photo.
* Share the recognized date with e.g. to the Notes or Calendar app.
* Turn on the contrast mode and read the expiration date in a synthetic voice. You can also zoom in on the recognized date to make it easier to see. All buttons and fonts meet contrast requirements. You can customize them to your needs.
* The application is fully compatible with VoiceOver.
* Use haptic feedback to know when the scanner has started or detected a date without having to listen to sounds.
Current Version: 1.0.4 (January 20, 2023)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/utilities/zuzanka> Zuzanka’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/az/app/zuzanka/id6444279925?uo=2> Zuzanka’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
Baby Adopter Pro (iOS/iPadOS, US$5.99)
Baby Adopter Pro is a much faster, easier and ad-free standalone version of the Baby Adopter game!
How does Baby Adopter Pro differ from the free Baby Adopter?
The Baby Adopter Pro game:
1. Doesn’t have any advertising or in app products.
2. Pro version earns more points for each action, each feeding, each egg crack in egg hunt and each completed level in mini games than the free game.
3. Pro version has more levels in mini games than the free version of the game.
4. Pro version has significantly less waiting time between actions, feeding, cracking eggs in hunting for eggs.
Baby Adopter is a babysitting, nursery and dress up game for people who love to take care of little babies.
Adopt and feed a cute little baby!
* Feed, buy clothes, shoes and toys and take care.
* You have to feed your baby when hungry. The baby has to be with energy equivalent of 30. And do not let your baby get sick… This is the goal of Baby Adopter.
* Another goal is to explore and purchase items for the Baby Room, Bathroom, Playground, Playroom, Family Room, Game Center and Zoo and purchase all the toys.
* Another goal is to hunt, find, collect and complete the collection of mini trophy creatures. You need to look for eggs, hunt, crack and hatch and finally own creatures which are inside the eggs. The eggs can be found randomly in different game locations. Need to wait after each crack in order to proceed with the following crack. The egg will be hatched after 3 cracks. The egg which was cracked once can be found in the same location.
Support for VoiceOver in Egg Match mini game: when you tap inside a grid VoiceOver will tell which egg is currently selected, its color and position within the grid. This way it is possible to scan the eggs in the grid. In order to move an egg you need to double tap it and keep your finger pressed against screen until you hear a release sound; then while your finger is still pressed against the screen move it and the egg will move.
Karma represents your overall game progress and player experience. The baby will grow after 100 days of age (after acquiring clothes and shoes).
Current Version: 4.08.1 (January 20, 2023)
Changes in Version 4.08.1
Hello! In this release we improved VoiceOver, fixed and improved Egg Match mini game and made additional fixes. Enjoy :)
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/baby-adopter-pro> Baby Adopter Pro’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-adopter-pro/id428754657> Baby Adopter Pro’s App Store page
BitLife Dogs - DogLife (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
Live as a Dog in this all-new text life simulator from the makers of BitLife!
How will you live your DogLife?
Will you be a faithful companion to a loving family or a dangerous street dog? An unloved mutt at the shelter or a pure bred puppy at the pet store?
See where this epic new text adventure takes you. Dozens of breeds await including Labrador retrievers, French bulldogs, German shepherds, golden retrievers, bulldogs, poodles, beagles, rottweilers, dachsunds, corgis, Australian shepherds, boxers, Great Danes, Huskies and SO MANY MORE!
Current Version: 1.7 (December 22, 2023)
Changes in Version 1.7
Bitizens! This update includes voice-supported accessibility features for our loyal vision impaired community! We’ve also included a ton of bug fixes and optimizations.
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/bitlife-dogs-doglife> BitLife Dogs - DogLife’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bitlife-dogs-doglife/id1589129140> BitLife Dogs - DogLife’s App Store page
See also: BitLife Cats - CatLife <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bitlife-cats-catlife/id1598978868>
Pocket Reality (iOS/iPadOS, Free With In-App Purchases)
Every day, a surreal new reality will be created just for you! Enter an open world where everyday objects come to life and you can play any way you want.
Maybe you’re defending a cabbage moon from horse pirates. Maybe you’re solving the murder of a wealthy spoon. Maybe you’ve always wanted to manage your own submarine farm, or date a strawberry? Maybe all of the above. The possibilities are endless!
Experience a daily procedurally generated text adventure that was never seen before and will never be seen again. Pocket Reality features a roguelite structure. Your choices have lasting consequences, danger is everywhere, and eventually you will be defeated and/or cause the world to be devoured. But don’t worry: you’ll start fresh tomorrow, and every defeat makes you stronger!
It’s also a strategy game where you need to manage your loyalties to four factions, deciding whom to support and whom to oppose. The world is interconnected and full of conflict. Every character and location has a level that changes based on your actions or inaction. If you help someone increase their level, they’ll produce resources over time and unlock new opportunities. But you can’t help everyone at the same time…
Current Version: 2.0 (January 5, 2022)
Changes in Version 2.0
The Nocturne expansion is here: vampires, aliens, forbidden love, and more! This in-app purchase adds 8 new scenarios and over 40 new achievements.
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/pocket-reality> Pocket Reality’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocket-reality/id1621962541> Pocket Reality’s App Store page
Seeing AI (iOS/iPadOS, Free)
Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed with and for the blind and low vision community, this ongoing research project harnesses the power of AI to open up the visual world by describing nearby people, text and objects.
Seeing AI provides tools to assist with a variety of daily tasks:
* Short Text - Speaks text as soon as it appears in front of the camera.
* Documents - Provides audio guidance to capture a printed page, and recognizes the text, along with its original formatting.
* Products - Scans barcodes, using audio beeps to guide you; hear the name, and package information when available.
* People - Saves people’s faces so you can recognize them, and get an estimate of their age, gender, and expression.
* Currency - Recognizes currency notes.
* Scenes - Hear an overall description of the scene captured. Explore the photo by moving your finger over the screen to hear the location of different objects.
* World - An Audio Augmented Reality experience to explore an unfamiliar environment, including hearing objects announced around you with Spatial Audio (requires a device with a LiDAR, and iOS 14+).
* Indoor Navigation - Available on the World Channel, enables you to create routes through a building, like “entrance to classroom”, and navigate by following the sound.
* Colors - Identifies colors.
* Handwriting - Reads handwritten text like in greeting cards (available in a subset of languages).
* Light - Generates an audible tone corresponding to the brightness in the surroundings.
* Images in other apps - Just tap “Share” and “Recognize with Seeing AI” to describe images from Mail, Photos, Twitter, and more.
* Browse Photos - Hear descriptions of photos saved on your device.
Current Version: 5.0 (January 30, 2023)
Changes in Version 5.0
* Indoor Navigation, available on iOS 14 and later, enables you to create routes through a building, and later follow that route, guided by spatial audio cues. For example, create a route from the reception desk to your office, or building entrance to a particular classroom. You can share the route with others, so they can navigate the route later on, using their own device.
* On the World Channel, when using headphones which support Spatial Audio, you no longer need to look in the direction of the camera. Seeing AI will adjust to the direction you’re looking, so sounds still come from the correct point in the room. Supported headphones include AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro.
* Improved announcements of people on the World Channel, when using a device with LiDAR.
* Plus, various bug fixes under the hood.
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/utilities/seeing-ai> Seeing AI’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/seeing-ai-talking-camera-for-the-blind/id999062298> Seeing AI’s App Store page
Slack (iOS/iPadOS, Free)
Slack brings team communication and collaboration into one place so you can get more work done, whether you belong to a large enterprise or a small business. Check off your to-do list and move your projects forward by bringing the right people, conversations, tools, and information you need together. Slack is available on any device, so you can find and access your team and your work, whether you’re at your desk or on the go.
Use Slack to:
* Communicate with your team and organize your conversations by topics, projects, or anything else that matters to your work
* Message or call any person or group within your team
* Share and edit documents and collaborate with the right people all in Slack
* Integrate into your workflow, the tools and services you already use including Google Drive, Salesforce, Dropbox, Asana, Twitter, Zendesk, and more
* Easily search a central knowledge base that automatically indexes and archives your team’s past conversations and files
* Customize your notifications so you stay focused on what matters
Current Version: 23.01.40 (January 25, 2023)
Changes in Version 23.01.40
* Fixed: Recording an audio clip with VoiceOver on caused the screen reader to switch to the wrong speaker, making it very quiet and hard to understand. This was the opposite of accessibility, and we’re very sorry for the trouble.
* You can multitask, and so can we. Video clips can now be minimized into a smaller window, allowing you to continue playback while working at a steady clip.
* Fixed: We weren’t recognizing strings of emoji at the end of messages, meaning that any pictographic postscripts were nowhere to be found. Wordle fans may breathe a sigh of relief.
Read <https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/productivity/slack> Slack’s AppleVis App Directory entry for more information
Visit <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slack-team-communication/id618783545> Slack’s App Store page
Recent News and Views
AppleVis is Now on Mastodon
By AppleVis | January 4, 2023
As of today, AppleVis and some of our team members are officially on Mastodon with our own AppleVis instance.
The AppleVis Mastodon instance is just for team members and AppleVis itself. However, anyone from any Mastodon instance can follow us thanks to Mastodon’s decentralized structure. To follow us from the Mastodon instance you’re on, simply open one of our profile pages and use the Follow button to be redirected to your instance; or, copy the link to one of our profiles, search for it in your Mastodon app of choice or instance’s website, and double tap or click the Follow button.
* AppleVis: @AppleVis at mastodon.applevis.com <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@AppleVis>
* David Goodwin: @David at mastodon.applevis.com <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@David>
* Thomas Domville: @thomas at mastodon.applevis.com <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@thomas>
* Alex Hall: @alex at mastodon.applevis.com <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@alex>
* Tyler Stephen: @tyler at mastodon.applevis.com <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@tyler>
* Michael Hansen: @michael at mastodon.applevis.com <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@michael>
We don’t know yet if Mastodon will be the next big thing. We also have no intention of closing down our AppleVis Twitter accounts. However, like many, we’ve grown increasingly uncomfortable with the direction Twitter is heading. Mastodon gives us somewhere new to explore and an opportunity to expand the places we connect with members of our community.
Read more: “AppleVis is Now on Mastodon” <https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-now-mastodon>
Apple News
* Apple Releases iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 With Security Keys for Apple ID, Support for New HomePod, and More <https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-ios-163-ipados-163-security-keys-apple-id-support-new-homepod-more>
* Apple Releases macOS Ventura 13.2 and watchOS 9.3 <https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-macos-ventura-132-watchos-93>
* Apple Releases tvOS 16.3 and HomePod software version 16.3 <https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-tvos-163-homepod-software-version-163>
This Month in Podcasts
AppleVis Extra #89: Wojtek Figiel Talks With Us About the Zuzanka Product Expiration Date Scanner App
In this podcast, Thomas Domville sits down to chat with Wojtek Figiel, one of the team behind Zuzanka, <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zuzanka/id6444279925> a recently released product expiration date scanner that can be used with an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Topics discussed include the story behind the app, its development, and the future plans of its team.
Listen to “AppleVis Extra #89: Wojtek Figiel Talks With Us About the Zuzanka Product Expiration Date Scanner App” <https://www.applevis.com/sites/default/files/podcasts/AppleVisPodcast1514.mp3>
Podcasts by Thomas Domville
* Introducing Zuzanka, a Product Expiration Date Scanner for iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/introducing-zuzanka-product-expiration-date-scanner-ios>
* Unlocking the World of Books with the Bookshare Reader App for iOS <https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/unlocking-world-books-bookshare-reader-app-ios>
Hot AppleVis Content
Here are some of the most talked-about posts from the past month:
* Elon Musk and the rocket he rode in on… Twitter lockdown to an app with no future of accessibility <https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/fk-elon-musk-rocket-he-rode-twitter-lockdown-app-no-future-accessibility>
* The eternally frustrating quest for headphones. <https://www.applevis.com/forum/hardware-accessories/eternally-frustrating-quest-headphones>
* Seeking testers to critically evaluate a partially developed game idea on TestFlight <https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados-gaming/seeking-testers-critically-evaluate-partially-developed-game-idea>
Club AppleVis
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; the perks of membership; and how you can join, please visit www.applevis.com/club-applevis <https://www.applevis.com/club-applevis>
Wishing you good health and happiness.
The AppleVis Editorial Team
www.applevis.com <https://www.applevis.com>
Follow AppleVis on Twitter <https://twitter.com/#!/AppleVis>
Follow AppleVis on Mastodon <https://mastodon.applevis.com/@AppleVis>
Visit and like the AppleVis Facebook Page <http://www.facebook.com/AppleVis>
Unsubscribe from this newsletter <https://www.applevis.com/newsletter/confirm/remove/4987/applevis_newsletter/1675193038/w4GGrigFF1sRAnUQivDZE9KXDir8Hzb3DUPL24lmIl8>
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