May 13, 2025 – 6:34 AM PDT
(Reuters) – Apple has announced plans to roll out several new features later this year aimed at enhancing accessibility for its devices. This includes a braille note-taking feature and improved zoom capabilities for its mixed-reality headset, Vision Pro.
For individuals who are blind or visually impaired, Apple is expanding its vision accessibility options by utilizing the camera system in Vision Pro. The upgraded zoom features will allow users to magnify their surroundings using the main camera, as indicated by the tech giant.
“We are committed to advancing new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, who is Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.
The company will enable authorized applications to access the main camera on the Vision Pro, offering real-time, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation through apps like Be My Eyes.
Be My Eyes is a service that connects visually impaired individuals with volunteers and organizations around the world via live video.
The Vision Pro, praised by industry experts for its innovative technology, marks Apple’s entry into the headset market, a space largely occupied by Meta Platforms.
Additionally, Apple is launching ‘Braille Access,’ transforming iPhones, iPads, Macs, and the Vision Pro into braille note-takers. With this new feature, users can open any app simply by typing on a connected braille device or via the Braille Screen Input, which allows users to enter braille into their devices.
The new updates also include a system-wide reading mode that aims to simplify text readability for users with disabilities like dyslexia or low vision, according to the company.
