Smartphones

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Google Maps make Sydney public transport directions accessible

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Google and Transport New South Wales have teamed up to introduce Sydney public transport directions to the Google Maps app.  After testing, we can safely say that accessibility has been a key consideration in the feature’s development.

Media Access Australia staff tested the public transport option in the Google Maps app for iPhone and found it is accessible via the VoiceOver screen reader. This means people who are blind or vision impaired will now have greater access to information on Sydney’s trains, buses, ferries and light rail services when using the Google Maps app on the Apple iPhone.

Information that can be accessed through the public transport option on the Google Maps app includes:

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Captions included on ABC iView app

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The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has today launched the ABC iView app for iPhone, with caption functionality included.

The app will allow iPhone users to watch programs and movies aired on the ABC network through WiFi and 3G connections. ABC iView is the ABC's television show streaming service that allows people to watch programs online after they have been broadcast. The ABC iView app allows people to access this service through different mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

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Nokia unveils plans to include voice-to-text feature

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Nokia has recently announced plans to include a voice-to-text feature on its new Windows Phones, a feature that could have a positive impact on sighted and vision impaired people alike.

The feature will allow users to compose text messages verbally and send, read or ignore incoming text messages using verbal commands. While the President of Nokia USA, Chris Weber, has suggested this feature could have a positive impact on unsafe driving, it may also allow people who are blind or vision impaired to compose texts more quickly and easily. The exact launch date of the feature has not yet been set.

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Transcript: how do Apple and Google compare?

Roberta: Both Apple and Google have received a lot of attention about the accessibility of their mobile operating systems, iOS and Android. Today we are joined in the studio by Sarah Pulis, Manager of Digital Media and Technology, from Media Access Australia, who’s going to talk to us about the different approaches that Apple and Google have taken in their mobile operating systems and what this means for you. Welcome, Sarah.

Sarah: Thanks very much, Roberta.

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