A few years ago, Apple introduced a Personal Voice feature that allows those at risk of losing their ability to speak to create a synthesized voice that sounds similar to their actual voice, so they can continue to communicate with others. The feature debuted on the iPhone with iOS 17, and it will be getting even better on iOS 19. Apple today announced that Personal Voice will be faster and easier to use on iOS 19, thanks to advancements in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence. Apple says users will be able to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice in less than a minute, down from 15 minutes when the feature initially launched. Personal Voice will also add support for…

Apple accessibility upgrades coming later this year will help users with visual, hearing, mobility and cognitive challenges. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Apple is planning to allow users to natively control iPhones, iPads, and other devices using brain signals later this year, The Wall Street Journal reports. The initiative involves a partnership with Synchron, a neurotechnology startup that produces an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) device called the Stentrode. The Stentrode enables users with severe motor impairments, such as those caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to control Apple devices using neural signals detected from within blood vessels located above the brain's motor cortex. The Stentrode is implanted through the jugular vein and rests inside a blood vessel on the surface of the brain. The device contains 16 electrodes that can detect motor-related brain activity without requiring open-brain surgery. These neural signals are…

Apple today previewed a wide range of new accessibility features coming later this year on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. The announcement comes two days ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. These features are expected to debut across iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3, which will be unveiled during the WWDC 2025 keynote on Monday, June 9. Following months of beta testing, the software updates should be released in September, bringing the new accessibility features to the masses. Accessibility Reader Some of the key new features:Accessibility Nutrition Labels in the App Store, which will highlight accessibility features within apps and games. Apple is expanding its Magnifier app to the Mac,…

Apple Inc. is one of the most valuable and influential companies in the world. From its sleek product designs to its seamless ecosystem, Apple has garnered a massive and loyal customer base. Its success isn’t just a result of high-quality products but also a carefully crafted business strategy that has made the company an industry leader across multiple sectors. In this article, we’ll explore some key factors behind Apple’s global success and why its business strategy has allowed the brand to thrive in the competitive technology market. (more…)

Music Haptics bring to life a specially recorded track of rhythmic vibrations and buzzing patterns timed to certain Apple Music songs. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)