Tag: iPhone

Registering with Signal as a blind user of iPhone

Today I will post an episode with my first atempt to create a Signal account using my iPhone 11. The audio demonstration is done from the downloding app stage up to sending first message with Signal, like an end user who never has used the service before.
This recording shows the easyness of signing up with Signal as a blind user. I have used Alex voice in my Voiceover screen reader.
I am looking for your opinion about the screen reader accessibility of this app. I’ve found being good and totaly usable by screen reader, users but here and there a gentil touch will make the app even more screen reader friendly.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Setting up an Amazon Echo Dot 3rd gen as a blind user

It is not a secret for anyone how popular and useful is an Amazon Echo device today.
Just talking with this intelligent device you can find out more about lots of things, you can do shopping, organise your calendar and much much more.
I will show today in the podcast episode how to set up an Echo Dot 3rd gen as a blind user without any sighted help.
I have used for this my iPhone X where the Alexa app was installed before, and the process was simple.
When the device was added to my devices list I have had to organise it in terms of where it is placed. In my case, the new device is seating in my bedroom.
Also, I have renamed this new device and I have activated the sound for start and end requests.
This little beep help blind people to know if Alexa heard your request and also when the answer is following.
Enjoy the audio demonstration and do not hesitate to contact us for any help if you encounter problems during set up as a blind user.
Do you have a particular task what Alexa helps you with? Which one? Do you recommend any skill?
Please leave your comments below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Transferring files between Mac and iPhone via Airdrop

I will demonstrate today how to send a file via Airdrop between your Mac and your iPhone.
The process is quite simple.
You must have your Bluetooth connection turned on for each device. Both devices must be in range.

Sending from Mac to iPhone

I have selected my file on my Mac mini using Finder.
On the file prepared for transfer I have pressed VO shift M, which is the shortkey for contextual menu.
VO is the Voiceover key, or ctrl and option pressed together.
All this demonstration was made for screen reader users.
Blind and visually impaired people know Voiceover, and possible are familiar with this short key mentioned above. It is a Finder short key, not necessary a Voiceover command.
When shift VO M is pressed a list of options are displayed, but we need to go down to share.
There is another list displayed for share, where one of the options is Airdrop.
Press VO spacebar on Airdrop and wait a moment.
It is very possible to hear a notification saying:
“Not found the contact what you are looking for?”
When this screen appears do not press escape or cancel button, but navigate with tab until hear a table displayed.
If that table do not appear check your iPhone to not be locked.
For some reasons when the iPhone is password locked the connection is not possible to be completed.
When the iPhone is unlocked, just go around with tab on your Mac, until the table where the devices are listed appear. Some time Voiceover will read a username, or an iCloud account, or a name of devices found. Also. If the contact has a picture attached, you can see that picture, in case of any sight rest is left.
Press VO spacebar on that result displayed in table, and wait for the ding notification on your iPhone. Also, a little dialog come up to ask if you wish to accept or decline the file.

When file is accepted an option called “open with” will be displayed.
This window allows you to choose an app or place where that file will be saved.
Job done.

Sending from iPhone to Mac

For sending files from iPhone to Mac the procedure is quite similar.
Go to that file what you wish to transfer to your Mac and double tap on it.
Depending where that file is a share button must be present.
Choose Airdrop from the share list and wait to see a list of
recipients displayed.
When the username or name of the device appear double tap on it and leave your iPhone aside.
A notification will come up on your Mac asking to decline or accept the file.
If file is accepted, you can choose a place where that file will be saved or opened.

Check this thing in case of transfer failure:

Check if all devices involved in transfer have the Bluetooth turned on.
Perhaps you can use Siri to turn Bluetooth on.
Check Settings in your iPhone to see what kind of receiving files settings you have.
For this, go to settings/general/airdrop and double check what is selected there.
You can choose 1 of 3 options:
1. Off
2. Contact only
3. everyone.

Just in case of first option is selected, you need to alter this setting, other way leave as it is.
Warning! If everyone is selected, you can receive files from any Apple device found in range. Use this option only when desired contacts are not found, but do not forget to change after to option number 2 which is the default one.
For any other issue, check share settings in Mac, under your System Preferences.
Keep in mind, if your iPhone and Mac are registered under same iCloud account probably is worth using iCloud for easier sharing.
But for family members or sharing with friends the Airdrop sharing is probably the best and easiest way.

Listen an audio demonstration step by step in the podcast episode below.
For any questions or comments about this, leave a comment, or contact us.
Don’t forget about our training offer, if you wish to learn one to one about Voiceover in Mac and iPhone as a screen reader user!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Twitterrific for iPhone, demonstration for Voiceover users

I have received a request to provide information about working with Twitterrific in Iphone, and few questions came up about.
But before answering I have to make some mentions.
Let’s say first of all the interface of this app displays a sidebar on top, an area called central stage and few options in between.
They are Home, compose and search button. At the bottom screen is a similar menu containing:
1. Home
2. Mentions
3. Likes
4. Messeges
5. My Tweets
Please note, this below menu is not reachable as a regular tab menu but you have to touch four fingers at the bottom of screen in order to go to the last tweet in list.
Just after that one you can access that menu.
I think the role of each menu is quite self explanatory.
Home menu displays the whole list of tweets from your timeline
The Mentions menu displays your tweets which are mentioned by others.
Messeges displays a list of direct messages and Likes the list of your liked tweets.
My Tweets display a list of my tweets.
Touching with four fingers on top of the screen move the focus straight to sidebar which normaly is closed.
Once the sidebar is opened some other options are displayed.

Do I have to customize Twitterrific for VoiceOver?

No, when Twitterrific is installed all what you need is set as default. Of course, if you have some extra requirements you can check settings and alter from there various aspects.

How to follow and unfollow someone?

I do like this on my iPhone in order to follow/unfollow someone.
I will browse my timeline to find the user what I want to follow or unfollow.
Flick up or down on screen when you are positioned on that tweet containing the username and stop on that option when the username is reported. As an example, if I want to follow an user called @AccessibleCompu I will navigate at that tweet and then flicking up or down I will go untill VoiceOver will say @AccessibleCompu and then double tap. Some options related with that user will be opened, like name and website, how many followers/followed that user have and also a button reporting if you follow him or not. Also, one of the lines will report if that user already follow you.
Tap on the switch button follow and job done. also, same button must be switched off in case of you wish to not follow that user any more.

How to search for some one or company

In sidebar is a button called search button.
You can tipe a general term, a company name or a person name. Also, for a direct result the best way is to search using the @username format.
If no result is returned under cancel button nothing is displayed.

How to tweet to someone or company

The simple way is to tap on compose button on top sidebar and write your tweet. If no destination is mentioned you send the message to all your followers.
Also, you can use reply flicking up on the tweet where the user what you want to tweet is present.
If you choose one user only to tweet, that is a direct message.
Also, you can use Messages tab from the bottom menu.

Where to see my followers?

On sidebar navigate to profile and double tap one finger.
Slide left to right untill hear how many people you follow and double tap. A list of all your followed will be displayed.

Where to find those following me?

At the same place like above, one line below.
Again, do double tap on the number of people following you.

How to view tweets sent by an individual or company?

Go on your timeline and find a tweet sent by the individual or company what you wish to see tweets.
Flick up till you hear the username of that user and double tap. A overview of that user will appear. Here you can see a list of latest tweets sent by that user.
Also, you can go via sidebar in order to find the user or even to use search button. Once you found that user double tapp on it, to see that overview what I have mentioned above.

VoiceOver gestures in Twitterrific

At iFactory Support page is displayed a good list of Voiceover gestures for Twitterrific for iOS.

What VoiceOver gestures can I use in Twitterrific?

Twitterrific supports gestures for use with VoiceOver the audio accessibility feature built into iOS for the hard of seeing. The following is a list of VoiceOver gestures available in Twitterrific 5:

Anywhere

• Two-finger Z gesture – Dismiss any currently-displayed popup

views

Timeline

• Three-finger swipe down while at the top of the timeline – refreshes the timeline content

• Three-finger swipe up/down – scroll the timeline by pages

• Swipe left or right – move through your timeline tweet by tweet

• Double tap on a tweet – Quickly open the discussion view for that tweet

• Double tap, hold, and swipe left on a tweet – Quickly open the discussion view for that tweet

• Double tap, hold, and swipe right on a tweet – Quickly start a reply for that tweet

• Swipe up or down, then double tap – Select and execute an action for that tweet

Sidebar

• Double tap and hold on the sidebar button – Quickly bring up the Accounts screen

Photo Viewer

• Double tap – Dismiss the photo viewer • Double tap and hold – Bring up an action menu for the displayed photo

• Double tap on the character counter, then swipe left and double tap on the reset tweet button – Clear the text in the compose view • Double tap and hold on the location button – set location attachment always on by default

In-App Browser

• Double tap and hold on the mobilizer button – set mobilizer view always on by default

Clearing the Timeline Cache or Deleting An Account

• Double tap & hold on the sidebar button to bring up the Accounts screen. Next, navigate to the account you want to clear the cache or delete. Double tap on the account itself to activate it. Finally, swipe down to the option you want (Clear cache or delete account) and double tap again.
For an audio demonstration listen the podcast episode below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download