AppleVis Podcast

In this podcast, Thomas Domville explains how to stop the two-finger Magic Tap gesture from unexpectedly starting or pausing media playback. If you hang up a call or use Magic Tap in other contexts and your audiobook or music begins playing when you didn’t intend it to, this setting lets you turn that behavior off (and back on later if needed).What You’ll LearnWhat the Magic Tap gesture does by default.Why media sometimes starts playing after ending a call.Where Apple tucked away the control to disable Magic Tap’s media action.How to toggle the option quickly and safely.Key Points & HighlightsProblem addressed: Unwanted media playback triggered by Magic Tap (e.g., when ending calls).Solution: Disable Magic Tap’s Media Playback action in VoiceOver Commands.Reversible: You can re-enable the option anytime if you miss the convenience.Scope: Applies when no other action is available—preventing the “surprise” play/pause behavior.Step-by-Step Guide: Turn Off Magic Tap Media PlaybackOpen Settings.Go to Accessibility → VoiceOver.Enter Commands.Choose Magic Tap.Toggle Media PlaybackOff.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Thomas: Hello and welcome. My name is Thomas Domville, also known as AnonyMouse. If MagicTab has been kind of a pest for you, sometimes things can get frustrating for those that use a MagicTab. For example, if you're on a phone, you're calling somebody, sometimes you do a MagicTab to hang up on a phone call, right? Only to find out or to end up having the media being playing or the last audiobook's been playing, whatever this might be in the background, things like that. If that's been occurring quite a bit for you and it's something that frustrates you and wish you could be able to turn that option off, you can. So starting in iOS 26, you're now able to disable the magic tab when it comes to media playing. So this is not going to be for everyone, but I want to at least make this aware for everybody. So if this is one of those things that annoys you and you would like to have that option turned off because it occurs to you each and every time you don't want it to happen, have no fear. I'm going to show you how to turn that magic tap off. We're going to head over to the native settings.VoiceOver: Settings. Double tap to open.Thomas: One finger double tap to open settings.VoiceOver: Settings.Thomas: Now swipe to the right until you find the Accessibility button.VoiceOver: Accessibility button.Thomas: One finger double tap that.VoiceOver: Personalize iPhone in ways that work best for you with accessibility features for vision, mobility,…

In this podcast, Thomas Domville explains that, prior to iOS 26, the default alarm snooze was fixed at 9 minutes with no way to change it. In iOS 26, you can set a custom snooze duration directly in the Clock app when creating or editing an alarm. The episode walks through the exact steps with VoiceOver cues so screen-reader users can follow along comfortably.---## Key Points & TakeawaysSnooze is now adjustable in iOS 26. You’re no longer stuck with 9 minutes.You can edit an existing alarm or create a new one to set snooze duration.The snooze duration control appears once Snooze is toggled on.The host demonstrates VoiceOver navigation, including where to find Edit, Add, Repeat, Label, and the Snooze options.Maximum snooze duration cited is 15 minutes. (Choose what works for your routine.)---## Step-by-Step: Set a Custom Snooze (iOS 26)Open the Clock app.Select the Alarms tab (bottom; to the right of World Clock).Choose one:Edit an existing alarm: Find your alarm in the list and double-tap to open it.Create a new alarm:Add (top-right), then set your time. (Optional) Adjust Repeat and Label as desired.Ensure “Snooze” is On. You will then see the snooze duration control.Open the duration control and adjust to your desired minutes (up to 15 minutes).Finish by activating Done (top-right).(Optional) If you don’t want snooze at all, turn SnoozeOff.Tip: If you already have alarms set up, you don’t have to recreate them. Just open an existing alarm, locate Snooze, and adjust the duration there.---## VoiceOver-Specific Notes (from the walkthrough)Open Clock: “Clock, … Double tap to open.”Navigate to Alarms: Tab bar shows “World Clock,” then “Alarms.” Select “Alarms.”Find Edit/Add: “Edit button” appears near the top; “Add button” is at the top-right.Time Pickers: The hour/minute pickers are adjustable; swipe up/down to change values.Snooze Toggle & Duration: After Snooze is On, a duration picker becomes available; swipe to your preferred minutes.Confirmation: Use Done to save changes.---## Why It MattersPersonalized wake-ups: Choose a snooze interval that fits your sleep pattern.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by…

In this podcast, Thomas Domville demos the new Copied Speech rotor option in iOS 26 for VoiceOver. Think of it as a lightweight clipboard history: it remembers what you copied with VoiceOver and lets you paste from the last ten copied items directly via the rotor, making multi-item copy/paste (like app titles and release notes) fast and accessible. What’s covered / why it mattersWhat Copied Speech is: a new rotor item in iOS 26 that surfaces your recent VoiceOver copies (described as a “clipboard history”). How much it stores: the last 10 clipboard items. The workflow boost: copy multiple elements (e.g., an App Store title and its version notes) and paste them into a text field without bouncing back and forth. Gesture requirement (important): items only appear in Copied Speech if you copy using VoiceOver’s three-finger quadruple-tap; standard Edit > Copy or Select All → Copy won’t show up. Real-world demo context: App Store → Mail compose; selecting “Copied speech” in the rotor, navigating items, and inserting them. Step-by-step: Using Copied Speech with VoiceOverCopy with VoiceOver: On any selectable text, perform a three-finger quadruple tap. You’ll hear confirmation that it was copied. (This is required for Copied Speech.) Open a text field: For example, compose an email in Mail (or use Messages/Notes). Place the insertion point where you want to paste. Turn the rotor to “Copied speech”: Rotate counterclockwise through rotor items until you hear “Copied speech.”Choose the item: Swipe up/down to move through your recent copied entries (up to ten). Paste it: One-finger double-tap to insert the selected item at the cursor. Repeat as needed: Switch items and insert again to build your note or message from multiple copies. Tips & caveatsOnly VoiceOver copies appear: Copies made via text selection + Edit > Copy won’t show up in Copied Speech (even though they’re on the system clipboard). Use the three-finger quadruple-tap to capture items for the rotor. Great for research/notes: Thomas’s example pulls an app title and its version notes from the App Store into Mail in seconds. TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Thomas: Hello and welcome. My name is Thomas Domville, also known as AnonyMouse. There is a new feature in iOS 26 that I'm just very excited that they introduced for us to use. There is a new rotor option called Copy Speech. Essentially, in a nutshell, I kind of refer to that as a clipboard history. Yeah, so in the past, in the older version of iOS, one annoying thing that I found that is just completely frustrating is that I am only able…

In this episode, Thomas Domville (AnonyMouse) dives deep into the exciting new accessibility features in iOS 26. From improved VoiceOver experiences to powerful tools for customization and ease of use, this update offers meaningful improvements for blind, low-vision, and accessibility-focused users.Whether you’re a long-time VoiceOver user or just curious about Apple’s accessibility innovations, this episode guides you through the highlights with real examples, demonstrations, and practical insights.Key HighlightsNew VoiceOver Tone for Touch Containers A subtle sound now plays when entering a new container, making navigation clearer without extra speech.Copied Speech Rotor Option A three-finger quadruple-tap saves text to a clipboard history, accessible via the rotor for quick pasting.Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store Developers can now declare supported accessibility features (VoiceOver, Captions, Larger Text, etc.) directly on app pages.Customizable Magic Tap Gesture Prevent media from accidentally playing when ending a call by disabling Magic Tap’s default play/pause function.Custom Labels Management See and manage all custom labels you’ve created in one place under VoiceOver > Verbosity.Always Use Siri Sounds Replace VoiceOver’s audio tones with Siri’s system sounds for a more familiar experience.Reset VoiceOver Settings Easily A new reset option restores VoiceOver to factory defaults without affecting other system settings.Share Accessibility Settings Between Devices Transfer or sync your preferences seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, or other Apple devices.Reduce Transparency for a Cleaner Look Turn off translucent “liquid glass” UI elements for a more legible and distraction-free display.Expanded Background Sounds Library New sounds include airplane cabin noise, rain, night ambiance, and crackling fire for relaxation or focus.Faster Personal Voice Creation Create a natural-sounding personal voice with just 10 phrases instead of 100—done in minutes.Name Recognition Improve clarity with personalized pronunciation for names in contacts, photos, and text.Accessible Reader A new clutter-free reading view with customizable layout, font, and background options.New Live Listen Features Pair Live Listen with captions and rewind missed audio for more flexible conversations.Head Tracking Use subtle head movements to control audio, highlight menus, or enhance spatial listening.This episode is perfect for anyone eager to explore iOS 26’s most impactful accessibility features. Tune in to discover how Apple continues to lead in inclusive design.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers…

In this edition of the AppleVis Extra, Michael Hansen, Tyler Stephen, Geo Bahena, and Levi Gobin get together to discuss Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 2025 event.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Michael, 00:01 Welcome to Apple This Extra number 111. My name is Michael Hansen. It's great to be here with you today, and I am joined by three other members of the Apple This team. We're going to be talking all about Apple's awedropping media event, September 2025. We got new AirPods, new Apple Watches, new iPhones, including an all-new iPhone Air. Of course, we're going to also maybe touch a little bit on iOS 26 and the releases for the other platforms as well.Michael, 00:31 But before we get to that, let's start with the introductions. First off, we have Tyler Stephen. Tyler, how are you?Tyler, 00:37 I'm good.Michael, 00:39 Excellent, excellent. And guys, for those who don't know, Tyler is the main man behind a lot of AppleBiz's blog posts for the software releases. And he also does a lot of work with our community bug program. Huge shout out, folks, as well, if you've submitted questions. Bug reports to the community bug program. Thank you so much. We really appreciate you. Our software content is going to be better because you participated. Moving right along, we have Geo Bahena. Hello, Gio. How are you?Geo, 01:10 Hi, how are you? Thanks for the opportunity for being here today. It's good to be here.Michael, 01:18 You are so welcome. And I believe, is this your first Apple Viz Extra or were you able to do the last one?Geo, 01:24 This was my first. So I'm really excited. I'm really excited.Michael, 01:28 We are certainly glad to have you here and welcoming back. Certainly last but not least, we have Levi Gobin. Hello, Levi. How are you? I'm doing pretty good today. How about you? Excellent. I am doing well. The weather is still nice here in Chicago, although it's probably not as nice as some other areas, but the weather is still good.Levi, 01:52 Well, it's been pretty rainy today, so...Michael, 01:55 And where are you at again?Levi, 01:57 I'm in Daytona Beach, Florida, but it's been pretty rainy.Michael, 02:01 Levi, it rains every day. Isn't that like every day in Florida? It's like it rains every day in Florida.Levi, 02:08 You could literally walk outside at like 1 p.m., realize it's raining, and then go inside and come out at like 1.30 and it's sunny again.Michael, 02:16 Apple held a media event on September 9th of 2025. The tagline was awe-dropping. And at this event, Apple released or announced, rather, some new AirPods, new Apple Watches, new phones. First up on the list were the new AirPods Pro 3. It's got best world-class noise cancellation. It removes up to two times the noise.Michael, 02:44 of the previous version, which I guess would be AirPods Pro 2, up to four times as much noise as the original AirPods Pro. It's got a new multi-port acoustic architecture that will precisely control the airflow that carries sound…

In this episode, Tyler walks through how multi-user accounts work on macOS—why you might use them, how to add a new user, ways to switch quickly (including Touch ID), and how to safely delete an account while preserving data for troubleshooting. He also covers guest access, account types (Administrator, Standard, and Sharing Only), and a few accessibility tips with VoiceOver.Key PointsWhy multi-user: Separate files, settings, and Apple Account sync per person; great for shared Macs or isolating issues by testing in a fresh account.Account types: Administrator can change system settings and install software.Standard has its own files/settings but cannot administer the Mac.Sharing Only can access shared services remotely but cannot log in at the Mac.Guest user: If FileVault is on, Guest can only use Safari; if off, Guest can use apps but all data is wiped on logout.Fast User Switching: Add the menu-bar item via Control Center settings (listed as “Menu Bar” in macOS Tahoe per the recording timeframe), then switch from the status menu.Touch ID switching: Register different fingers per account to jump between users instantly—even from the lock screen.Deleting an account: Three options—(1) save home folder as a disk image under Deleted Users, (2) don’t change the home folder, or (3) delete the home folder.Troubleshooting tip: You can preserve your home folder, delete the account, then recreate it with the same account name to merge and reset settings—handy if issues are account-specific.Shared folder caveat: The /Users/Shared folder defaults to read/write for creator and read-only for others; permissions can be finicky, and other sharing methods may be easier.Step-by-Step GuideCreate a New User Open System Settings > Users & Groups, and click Add User…Pick an Account Type (Administrator, Standard, or Sharing Only). Standard is the default.Enter Full Name; Account Name (home folder name) will auto-fill. Set a Password and optional Hint, then click Create User.First Login & Touch ID Log out of your account, select the new user, and sign in.In Setup Assistant, the user can enroll Touch ID with their finger.Enable Fast User Switching (Menu Bar) Go to System Settings > Control Center (labeled “Menu Bar” in future macOS versions relative to the time of recording).Find Fast User Switching and set it to Show (e.g., show Account Name). Then use the status menus to switch users.Switch Between Users Instantly From the menu bar via Fast User Switching, or with Touch ID, a user can press the sensor with the finger registered to their account (works at the lock screen once accounts have been logged into).Share Files Between Accounts (Optional) Use /Users/Shared; creator has read/write, others read-only by default. Adjust permissions via Get Info if needed—but expect some Unix permission quirks.Delete a User Safely In Users & Groups, click the "Show detail" button for an account, click Delete User, and choose what to do with the Home folder.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by…

Victor demos the Tonewood Amp, a small magnetic unit that attaches to the back of an acoustic-electric guitar and uses the guitar’s own soundbox to project effects like reverb, delay, chorus/phaser, and tremolo—no external amp or headphones required.He also explores the Tonewood Amp Remote app, which is now fully accessible with VoiceOver thanks to his direct collaboration with the developers. The app lets you chain up to four effects, adjust routing (series or parallel), fine-tune EQ and compression, save presets, and control feedback with the “Feedback Assassin.”Key HighlightsMagnetic X-bracket mount allows quick, damage-free attachment.Requires an acoustic-electric guitar for the pickup signal.Accessible app on iOS and Android for screen reader users.Up to four effects in chain; choose series or parallel routing.Guitar profiles for different instruments; saves EQ, dynamics, and feedback settings.DI mode for connecting to amps or recording interfaces.Built-in presets and fully customizable effect chains.Gear & App MentionedTonewood Amp hardwareX-Bracket (magnetic mount)Acoustic-electric guitarTonewood Amp Remote – iOS App StoreAccessibility NotesVoiceOver-friendly controls for effects, routing, and settings.All effect modules have accessible faders and toggles.Descriptive help sections explain series vs. parallel routing.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Victor: This is Victor and today I'm going to show you a very cool product which just has become accessible. But let me maybe start from the basics. What I'm talking about is the Tonewood amp. That's a little amplifier that clips to the back of your guitar and then it uses a built-in speaker to produce some effects through your guitar's sound box. So I'm going to explain this in some more detail how this works but this is the basic idea. So where do we start? We start with the fact that this amplifier is in fact a rectangular device. If you can imagine you have a guitar relatively middle size, it definitely will occupy a very tiny space on the back of your guitar. The way this works is that with the device, when it ships, you get something called an X-bracket and this X-bracket has some adhesive tape that you use to attach the bracket itself to the guitar from the inside. Now I just wanted to let you know that this does not in any way damage the wood of your guitar. They usually advise that you try the amplifier first before you attach it, but, you know, that's already sort of for the manual. I'm not going to go into these details here. So let's say you know the place where you want to attach the amplifier. From the inside you find a similar space where you can attach the…

In this episode of AppleVis Extra, hosts Dave Nason and Thomas Domville welcome back Karthik Kannan from Envision for his second appearance this year. The discussion centers around Envision’s newest wearable: the Ally Solos Smart Glasses, developed in partnership with Solos. The conversation covers design, functionality, pricing, and how these glasses differ from Envision’s previous offerings and other competing smart glasses.Key Topics CoveredBackground on EnvisionBrief history of the Envision AI app and original Envision glasses.Introduction of Ally, Envision’s conversational AI assistant.The Ally Solos Smart GlassesLightweight design (approx. 42g) with two HD (2K-class) cameras.Directional stereo speakers with minimal sound leakage.Beamforming microphones for clear audio pickup in noisy environments.Touchpad controls for volume, Ally activation, and navigation.USB-C rechargeable stems with fast charging (14-hour battery life).Functionality & IntegrationFull Ally integration for text reading, object recognition, facial recognition, and conversational interaction.Can also function as standard Bluetooth headphones for calls, music, and voice assistants.Ability to take photos with auto-generated alt text.No built-in GPS — relies on paired phone for location-based services.Pricing & AvailabilityPre-order tiers from \$399 to \$599 USD (€ pricing equivalent).Post-launch price expected to be \$699 USD.Worldwide availability.Pre-orders include one year of Ally Pro subscription (valued at \$200).Accessibility & Language SupportDesigned specifically for blind and low-vision users, with accessibility in setup and daily use.Supports over 20 interface languages (planned to expand to \~40) and understands 100+ languages for input/output.Future Features & PartnershipsPlans for offline Ally functionality in future updates.Potential integration with Aira and Be My Eyes.Commitment to continue supporting original Envision Glasses alongside the new model.Links & ResourcesPre-order Ally Solos Glasses: ally.me/glassesTranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Dave: Hello there and welcome to another episode of the AppleVis Extra. This is episode number 110. I am your host, David Nason, and joined once again by Thomas Domville for AnonyMouse. Good to see you again, buddy. How are you?Thomas: Hey, it's good to see you too. Oh my gosh, we're going to be bringing them on for the second time this year, right? It seems like they're on a roll here.…

In this episode of Apple Crunch, Thomas Domville, John Gassman, and Desiree Renae discuss Apple news and other topics of interest.Chapters:OpeningApple Explores AI-Powered Scene Description with 'SceneScout'Internal Tensions Stirring Within AppleAugmented Reality Glasses Create Industry BuzzAnticipation Builds for Apple’s Fall Launch of the iPhone 17ClosingResources:Apple researching AI agent that can describe Street View scenes to the blindApple faces AI talent turmoil as senior Siri researcher departsApple Weighs Using Anthropic or OpenAI to Power Siri in Major ReversalOakley Meta Glasses Announced With Longer Battery Life, Improved Cameras, and MoreA new look at how Android XR will bring Gemini to glasses and headsetsApple Smart Glasses: Everything We Know So FarApple to Launch 7 AR Headsets, Starting 2025Introducing EchoVisionI don't like the idea of my conversations with Meta AI being public – here's how you can opt outiPhone 17: Everything We KnowiPhone 17 models rumored to feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interfaceLeaked iPhone 17 Air battery capacity reveals new model’s biggest weaknessIf you have feedback or questions for the Apple Crunch team, you can reach them at AppleCrunch@AppleVis.comTranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Thomas: Hello and welcome to Apple Crunch for July of 2025. My name is Thomas Domville, also known as AnonyMouse. And alongside with me today, let's introduce you to John Gassman. How are you, John? I'm doing good. How are you?John: Wonderful.Thomas: How was your trip to Dallas? Did you have a good time?John…

Episode Title: AppleVis Extra 109: Interview with Klemens Strasser, Developer of Art of FaunaGuest: Klemens Strasser, Indie iOS Developer and Winner of the 2025 Apple Design AwardHosts: David Nason (Dave) and Thomas Domville(AnonyMouse)Length: \~45 minutesEpisode SummaryIn this inspiring and insightful episode, Dave and Thomas speak with Klemens Strasser, the creative mind behind Art of Fauna, a beautifully designed and highly accessible educational puzzle game for iOS. Klemens shares the journey of his app from concept to being honored with an Apple Design Award for Best Design at WWDC 2025.The discussion touches on accessibility in app development, the importance of inclusive design, how Art of Fauna was built with VoiceOver users in mind, and the motivations that drive Klemens to ensure his apps are usable and enjoyable for everyone.What Is Art of Fauna?A nature-inspired puzzle game that lets players:Solve image-based or text-based puzzles about animalsLearn fun facts from 18th- and 19th-century scientific illustrationsChoose between visual or VoiceOver-friendly game modesExperience soothing soundscapes and educational contentTopics Covered✅ Accessibility and DesignKlemens’ passion for inclusive app designVoiceOver integration in puzzle gameplayImportance of building accessibility from the ground upApple’s new “Accessibility Nutrition Labels” and their potential impact✅ The Apple Design Award ExperienceKlemens shares how he learned he wonInsights from attending WWDC and being nominated multiple timesHow previous apps (Letter Rooms, Ancient Board Game Collection) laid the foundation✅ Development ProcessWhy Klemens chose UIKit and SpriteKit over UnityCollaboration with VoiceOver users and accessibility engineersBeta testing and iterative design for inclusive play✅ Game Structure and Monetization10 free puzzles includedFive themed puzzle packs available for a one-time feeNo subscriptions—premium content is pay-oncePeriodic content updates including: Friends of Fauna: users upload animal photos to receive monthly puzzlesEarth Day Bonus Pack: free bonus for bundle buyersDonations: 20% of proceeds go to wildlife conservationWhat’s Next?Klemens announces his next indie app: Pocket Shelf – a new reading tracker app scheduled for release alongside iOS 26.Connect with KlemensWebsite: strasser.appTwitter / X: @klemensstrasserBlog (coming soon): Posts on Art of Fauna donations and accessibility updatesFinal ThoughtsThis episode is a must-listen for:Indie developers exploring accessibilityVoiceOver users seeking innovative, inclusive gamesEducators and parents looking for meaningful screen time for kidsAnyone curious…

In this podcast episode, host Seamus introduces the SoSecure app by ADT, a free iOS emergency assistance application designed to connect users quickly with ADT agents who can contact emergency services on their behalf. Seamus offers a detailed walkthrough of the app’s features, accessibility, and functionality, highlighting its usefulness—especially for those who rely on VoiceOver or have specific communication needs.Listeners are guided through the app’s setup, key functions, and helpful tips to maximize its effectiveness and accessibility. Whether you are visually impaired, need a silent way to communicate during emergencies, or simply want a reliable safety app, this episode provides a thorough overview to get you started.SoSecure by ADT is a personal emergency response app that offers an emergency button with PIN cancellation, automated guardian text notifications, silent SOS chat, and location tracking groups. It is accessible to VoiceOver users and free to download on iOS devices, making it an essential tool for safety and peace of mind in situations where calling 911 directly isn’t possible.Key Topics Covered:Introduction to ADT and SoSecure Seamus explains ADT’s long history as a home security company and clarifies that the SoSecure app does not require an ADT home security system to be used.App Accessibility The app is about 95% accessible with VoiceOver, with a few minor limitations noted.Account Setup Users are required to create an account that includes providing an email, phone number, and a profile picture. A four-digit PIN must be created to cancel emergency calls.Emergency Button Functionality The app features a large emergency button that, when pressed, initiates a 10-second countdown during which the user can cancel the call by entering their PIN. If not canceled, an ADT agent contacts the user and, if necessary, emergency services.Automated Guardian Contacts Users can add up to five guardians (emergency contacts) who receive automated text alerts in an emergency, sent directly from ADT’s system.SOS Chat Feature Text chat is available within the app to communicate with ADT agents silently, beneficial for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in situations where verbal communication is unsafe.Location Sharing and Groups The app includes a "My Groups" feature, similar to location tracking apps, allowing users to track and receive notifications about group members' locations, though this feature has limited accessibility.Settings Overview Seamus details the settings menu, including account editing, notification controls, PIN management (which requires a verification text), FAQ access, and legal/contact information.Demonstration of Adding and Removing Guardians The process of adding contacts from the user’s phone and removing them is shown, with accessibility tips for blind users.Emergency Button Demonstration Seamus demonstrates using the emergency button and entering the PIN to cancel a test emergency call.Why Seamus Likes the App Seamus highlights the app’s usefulness, especially when in unfamiliar locations or…

In this episode of Apple Crunch, Thomas Domville, John Gassman, Marty Sobo, and Desiree Renae discuss recent Apple news and other topics of interest.Chapters:OpeningAfter thoughts of the Apple WWDC KeynoteHands-on and Thoughts of iOS 26ClosingResources:WWDC 2025 Keynote: The AppleVis RecapApple Previews New Accessibility Features Coming Later This Year: Accessibility Nutrition Labels, Magnifier for Mac, Braille Access Mode, and MoreIf you have feedback or questions for the Apple Crunch team, you can reach them at AppleCrunch@AppleVis.comTranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Thomas:hello and welcome to apple crunch for June 2025 my name is thomas domville also go by the name of AnonyMouse yes we are back once again guys and here we are with the gang and we got a special new voice for you so a mystery voice i'll introduce that new voice to you in a moment so let's say hello to mr john gassman how are you mr john i'm doing good how are youJohn: Great, great.Thomas: You've been enjoying yourself the past couple months?John:Oh, yeah. Yeah, always stuff going on. I did a nice cruise, and we have a convention coming up shortly before you hear this. And then another cruise in September. So lots of stuff going on this summer.Thomas:Two cruises in a year. You know, I am jealous because you get to go on a Hawaii cruise. That is amazing. Maybe I'll have to join you in a cruise one of these days. That would be fun. We have to go on a Disney cruise. We should do a Disney, yeah, we should do a Disney cruise someday. Exactly. I'm all on board. And then over here, we got Mr. Marty Sobo. How are you, Mr. Marty?Marty:Doing good, doing good. Thank you very much. Glad to be here again.Thomas:Are you busy?Marty:Oh, yeah, always busy.Thomas:Always busy, too?Marty:Yeah.Thomas:Keeping yourself busy with the unmute?Marty: Oh, yeah.Thomas: Excellent. Well, speaking of the unmute, you got a new voiceover on unmute and she is going to be joining us on Apple Crunch from here now. So I am so happy to introduce you to all of you to Desiree Renee. How are you, Desiree?Desiree:I'm good. How are you?Thomas: Wonderful.Desiree: Oh, it's been good. We're finally getting some warmer weather, so that's always nice in Oregon. And although in Texas, when I used to live there, I dreaded the warmer weather, but now I look forward to it.Thomas:Yeah, Texas gets really hot.Desiree:Oh,…

In this episode, Tunmi offers an in-depth review of µBrowser: Watch Web Browser, a lightweight and efficient web browser designed specifically for the Apple Watch. Ideal for quick web searches and browsing simple websites on the go, µBrowser focuses on speed and ease of use rather than heavy browsing tasks like social media or account management.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeIntroduction to µBrowserA minimalistic browser for Apple Watch enabling fast access to basic websites and web searches.Not intended for complex browsing activities such as managing social media or online accounts.App Structure & ComponentsTwo-part system: the Apple Watch app (main browsing) and a companion iPhone app (bookmark management).Breakdown of watch app sections: MicroBrowser (main browser), Bookmarks, Browsing History, and About.Navigating the Watch AppLaunching via the Digital Crown.Using the address/search bar powered by DuckDuckGo for privacy-focused searches.Four key sections for seamless navigation.Bookmarks ManagementEmoji-labeled bookmark folders for quick identification.Add, activate, or delete bookmarks directly on the watch.Search and Navigation FeaturesVoice input to facilitate hands-free searching.Heading-based navigation for quick jumps within websites.Known LimitationsNo back button feature.Simplified browsing experience, with some restrictions on advanced web interactions (e.g., Google services).Companion iPhone AppEdit, add, and reorder bookmarks with an easy-to-use interface on iPhone.Synchronization between the watch and phone for streamlined bookmark management.Step-by-Step Guide to Using µBrowserOpen MicroBrowser Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch and select the MicroBrowser app.Perform a Search Tap the search icon and use voice dictation to input your query.Access and Manage Bookmarks Navigate to Bookmarks, swipe to activate or delete entries.Use the Address Bar Enter a URL manually or via dictation, then tap done to load the page.Manage Bookmarks on iPhone Open the companion app to add, edit, or reorder bookmarks easily.Download µBrowser: Watch Web BrowserTry out µBrowser today to enhance your Apple Watch browsing experience! Download on the App StoreTranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.tunmi: Hello guys, this is tunmi, and welcome to another episode of the AppleVisPodcast. In this one, I'm going to be reviewing the watch app known as MicroBrowser. Now, MicroBrowser is a lightweight web browser that allows you to…

In this episode of the AppleVis Extra podcast, host David Nason is joined by Thomas Domville, Tyler Stephen, and newcomer Levi Gobin to unpack everything announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The team dives deep into the new features coming to iOS, watchOS, macOS, and iPadOS, sharing their first impressions and early experiences with the latest developer betas.Highlights from the Episode:1. Unified OS Versions:Apple aligns iOS, watchOS, and macOS under version 26, marking a more cohesive update cycle across platforms. The panel discusses the reasoning behind this and what it might mean for users and developers.2. iOS 26 Key Features:A bold new “liquid glass” aesthetic refreshes the visual design.Versioning now reflects the year, simplifying future updates.Groundbreaking features like Hold Assist and on-device live translation redefine accessibility and daily use.Shortcuts receive a major boost from Apple Intelligence, making automations more powerful and customizable.3. Beta Testing Stories & Insights:Thomas recounts a rocky iOS 26 beta install on the iPhone 15 Pro and the steps it took to recover.The team examines current beta performance—discussing AI-driven screenshot analysis, enhanced screen calling, and improved battery status alerts.4. watchOS 26 Updates:Smart Stack and Workout Buddy add new layers of personalization to workouts.Lively debate ensues on the practicality of motivational workout prompts.5. macOS 26 "Tahoe":Spotlight becomes smarter with Quick Key integration.More control for users through revamped menu bar and control center customization.Discussion around Rosetta’s eventual phase-out and what it means for app compatibility.Subtle but meaningful accessibility improvements, including customizable toolbars via the Actions menu.6. iPadOS 26 Enhancements:Continues its convergence with macOS, introducing menu customizations and better file handling.A new Phone app brings calling functionality to non-iPhone devices.7. VoiceOver Improvements:Notable accessibility gains, including enhanced Braille input and toolbar customization for VoiceOver users.8. Looking Ahead:The team reflects on the implications of Apple’s AI roadmap and the growing synergy across platforms.They offer thoughts on what this year’s updates signal about Apple’s broader strategy moving forward.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Dave: Hello there and welcome to another episode of the Apple Viz Extra podcast. My name is David Mason and really exciting time of year. It is WWDC. We had all of the announcements on Monday and we are gathered to chat through them. what Apple told…

In this episode, Gaurav continues his deep dive into the Alfred app for Mac, focusing on the Features pane within the settings. He provides a detailed walkthrough on customizing Alfred to boost productivity and usability, with special attention to voiceover users.Gaurav explores various powerful features of Alfred, including Universal Actions, hotkey configuration, web search customization, and clipboard history management. Through practical demonstrations, he shows how to create shortened URLs, compress files, and streamline workflows—all without leaving Alfred.Highlights include:Features Pane Overview: Customize default search results, specify file and folder searches, and set fallbacks for unmatched queries.Universal Actions: Learn how to configure hotkeys and perform contextual actions on selected text, URLs, and files, like searching, snippet saving, dictionary lookups, and QR code generation.Web Search Shortcuts: Set personalized shortcuts for quick access to Google Images, Amazon, YouTube, and more.Clipboard History: Enable and manage clipboard content for easy retrieval and searching.Additional Tools: Brief introductions to snippets, calculator, dictionary, contacts viewer, music mini player, and OnePassword integration.System Commands: Assign commands for system tasks such as restart, shutdown, and emptying trash.Step-by-step Universal Actions setup:Open Alfred’s Features tab and set a hotkey for Universal Actions (e.g., Option + Command + A).Select text, URLs, or files and activate the hotkey.Choose from available actions like search, snippet creation, or file compression.Through these tips and demonstrations, Gaurav aims to help listeners harness Alfred’s full potential, making Mac navigation smoother and more accessible—especially for voiceover users.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Gaurav: Hello everyone. So today we shall continue our series on the Alfred 5 application for the Mac. And today we are going to dive into the Alfred settings once again and doing an even deeper dive on an aspect of the settings pane called the features pane. So if you might remember in one of my previous episodes, I had done a general walkthrough of the Alfred settings. And today we're going to get a deeper dive under the hood of Alfred and really see how to make this app really useful for us via the features tab. So I'm going to invoke Alfred now by pressing my Alfred keyboard shortcut, which is command plus space. application Alfred system dialog and I'm going to go into settings command comma finder mac alfred preferences alfred preferences search I'm going to go to the left most part of the screen with vo fn left arrow search preferences blank search I'm going to vo right arrow alfred sidebar I'm going to sidebar and I'm going to use the up and down arrows once I'm in the alfred sidebar to navigate features…

In this episode, Gaurav offers a hands-on walkthrough of PDFgear: PDF Editor & Reader for Mac OS — a free PDF reader available on the Mac App Store — spotlighting its AI-powered OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities. This feature is especially handy for transforming PDFs composed mainly of images into editable, searchable text. The demo is performed on an M1 MacBook Air running the latest Mac OS Sonoma.Key Highlights:About PDFgear:A free PDF reader app available on the Mac App Store.Stands out with its AI-driven OCR functionality.Demo Setup:Conducted on a MacBook Air with Mac OS Sonoma.Uses a PDF titled Malaysia Wildlife Document, mostly image-based.Step-by-Step Walkthrough:Opening the PDF: Launch the document in PDFgear via the ‘Open with PDF Gear’ option.Navigating the App: Use VoiceOver (VO) commands to explore the window spots menu and locate pages heavy with images.Running OCR: With VO, select the OCR button and choose ‘Current file OCR’ to begin processing. The OCR completes quickly — about 15 to 20 seconds for 134 pages.Exporting Text: Export options include ‘Export to one file’ or ‘Export to separated files.’ Due to accessibility challenges with the save dialog, it’s best to stick with default directories.Accessing Converted Text: Find the output text file in the ‘Downloads’ folder and open it with TextEdit to review the OCR results.This detailed guide empowers listeners to easily convert image-based PDFs into accessible, searchable text, improving document usability across devices.Try PDFgear on the Mac App Store:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdfgear-pdf-editor-reader/id6469021132?mt=12TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Gaurav: Okay, guys, so today I'm doing a brief audio demonstration on the PDF gear application. This is a free PDF reader on the Mac App Store, and its unique point is that it can use AI to convert or to OCR documents. So that basically means if you have a document, a PDF document, which is mainly in the form of images, you can use the AI-powered features in this application to convert it into text, which you can then read. So I'm going to demonstrate that feature for you today. I'm using M1-powered MacBook Air using the latest version of Mac OS Sonoma. I'm going to navigate to a PDF document on my Mac, which was sent to me by someone called the Malaysia Wildlife Document.Gaurav/VoiceOver: I'm going to V-O-Shift-M to open the context menu. Open with. Open with. Steam app. PDF expert app. PDF gear app.Gaurav: So I'm going to open with PDF gear.VoiceOver: With PDF gear. Malaysia wildlife. PDF window.Gaurav…

In this AppleVis Extra episode, David Nason and Thomas Domville (AnonyMouse) interview Sarah Herrlinger, senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives at Apple. They explore Apple’s ongoing dedication to accessibility, spotlighting exciting new features designed to better support users with disabilities. The conversation covers several highlights, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, Braille Access Mode, Magnifier for Mac, and the role of AI in accessibility enhancements.Key Highlights:Accessibility Nutrition LabelA new initiative that provides standardized accessibility info for apps.Developers will showcase features like VoiceOver and captions.Designed to increase awareness and help users easily find accessibility details.Braille Access ModeAvailable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro.Enables quick note-taking, calculations, and BRF file access with Braille displays.Supports live captioning for DeafBlind users to improve communication.Magnifier for MacTurns your iPhone into a magnifier for Mac users.Uses a secondary camera to enlarge physical objects.Includes zoom, color filters, brightness controls, and OCR with text-to-speech via Accessibility Reader.AI and AccessibilityAI remains a vital tool in accessibility advancements.Enhances image recognition and descriptive capabilities.Continues to be integrated to improve experiences for visually impaired users.User Engagement and FeedbackHighlights the value of user feedback in shaping accessibility features.Encourages users to send suggestions to accessibility@apple.com.Share Accessibility SettingsA new feature lets users temporarily transfer their accessibility settings to another device.Makes it easier for family members to help with troubleshooting and tech support.Listeners are invited to share their thoughts on these features and suggest any other accessibility needs they’d like Apple to consider.TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Dave: Hello there, and welcome to another episode of the AppleVis Extra. My name is David Mason, and I am delighted to be joined once again by Thomas Domville, also known as AnonyMouse, of course. And this is an exciting episode that we, I want to say, annually, semi-annually do, and that is an interview with Apple's Global Head of Accessibility, Sarah Herrlinger. So, looking forward to this one, Thomas.Thomas: Right. I mean, you're right. That is a mouthful. What is your, I had to look that up. Director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. I'm like, wow. I wonder if that actually fits on her business card in one line. There's no way. They only respond so small.…

In this practical tutorial episode, Siddarth Mahajan demonstrates how to turn a folder into an encrypted disk image (.dmg) file on your Mac, useful if you, for example, need to temporarily share your Mac with someone else and want to protect particularly sensitive data on it. To do this:Open Disk Utility (located in the Utilities folder).Choose File > New image > image from folder (or press Command-Shift-N), and select the folder using the standard open dialog.In the resulting dialog, choose the level of encryption you want for the image in the "Encryption" popup menu (a higher level is slower but more secure) and enter a password that will be used to access it.Click Save, and once Disk Utility reports that the operation is successful, click Done. The image will be saved to the location you specified, which is by default the location of the original folder. Be sure to delete the original folder at this point, so that the data can only be accessed through the password-protected, encrypted disk image.To access the image, open it and enter the password you chose. The folder will then be mounted like a volume on your desktop, where you can add, modify, and delete its contents. When you're done, be sure to eject it so that it can't be accessed without a password by selecting it on your Desktop and choosing File > Eject (or pressing Command-E).Useful Links:macOS Disk Utility: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250Email Siddarth: siddarthmahajan15@gmail.comTranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Siddarth: Are you in that situation where you need to give your Mac to someone for maybe a few hours or a few days, but worried about what if they might access my private files, my private folders? Of course, everyone has their own privacy, right? You might have private documents or messages or pictures, videos, whatever.Siddarth: Do you know that we can lock or we can encrypt the folder on Mac with a password? Well, if you don't know that, yes, we can actually do that. How can we do that? That's what I'm here for. I'm Siddharth Mahajan. In this episode, I'll be demonstrating that. How can we encrypt a folder with a password on our Mac? So let's get started.Siddarth: I'm on my desktop here.VoiceOver: Siddharth Private Files folder.Siddarth: This is my folder, Siddharth Private Files.VoiceOver: Siddharth Private Files folder.Siddarth: Let me press Vivo space to open.VoiceOver: Finder has new window.Siddarth: Okay, let me interact.VoiceOver: In list view, table.Siddarth: What are the files here?VoiceOver: CFP underscore green humanities dot PDF.Siddarth: One of my CFP files.VoiceOver: conference PDF.…

In this episode, Levi Gobin demonstrates how to prepare your Mac for beta testing by creating a second volume on your Mac's internal disk to install and run beta versions of the operating system. This way, you can run the beta when you want, but continue to use your Mac with the current shipping version of macOS. To create a volume to install macOS betas on:Open Disk Utility (located in the Utilities folder).Select your startup disk (usually called Macintosh HD) in the table, and choose “Add APFS volume” from the context menu (accessed by pressing VO-Shift-M).Name the volume (it can be any name) and if you want to specify a minimum and maximum amount of storage space for it, click size options, define your parameters, and click OK. Otherwise, click Add to create the volume, which will share space with your startup disk.Once the volume has been created, download the current shipping version of macOS from the App Store, and follow the onscreen instructions to install it, a process that is demonstrated in the episode. At the point where the installer confirms that macOS will be installed on your current startup disk, click show all disks, and select your newly created volume. Once the installation completes, your new copy of macOS will start as if the Mac was new from the factory; follow the onscreen instructions in the Setup Assistant, a process that is also demonstrated.To obtain a macOS beta, if you haven't already, sign up for either the developer or public beta program. Once you've signed up, an option will appear in System Settings > General > Software update to install updates from that channel. Once a beta is seeded, you should be able to install it like any other update.To switch between the two volumes, you can either go to System Settings > General > Startup disk to select a default volume that the Mac will start from each time it is restarted or turned on, or select a different volume as your Mac starts. To do this, shut your Mac down, press and hold the Power button until the startup options dialog appears, interact with the volume you want to start up from, and click Continue.If you no longer want to run the beta on your Mac, you can remove the volume by starting up from your primary volume, opening Disk Utility, selecting your secondary volume in the table, and choosing “Delete APFS volume” from the context menu (accessed by pressing VO-Shift-M).TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Levi: Hello, everyone. In today's recording, I'm going to show you how to dual boot macOS. This might be useful for when you want to beta test a new version, such as macOS 16, which is coming out here in June 2025. I'm going to show you how to dual boot macOS and how you can test the new beta without messing up your current operating system. So first, what we need to do is create an APFS volume.Levi: And the way we do that is by going to Disk Utility. Disk Utility is located in your Applications folder, then under Utilities, Disk Utility. But an…

Unlock greater productivity with Gaurav’s latest episode on the AppleVis podcast — the final chapter in a three-part series all about Alfred, the powerful macOS productivity app tailored for VoiceOver users. Alfred lets you breeze through tasks simply by typing, eliminating the need to dig through menus or complex interfaces.In this concluding episode, Gaurav walks you through setting up custom keyword commands in Alfred, focusing on how to create a quick shortcut to empty your Mac’s Trash. Follow along as he demonstrates the entire setup, making it easy to automate this common task.What You’ll Learn:How to launch Alfred using Command + SpaceUsing Alfred’s search bar to run commands with keywordsCustomizing and creating your own Alfred keywords via preferencesReplacing the default empty trash command with a shorter, faster keywordDiscovering other handy system commands like activating the screensaver, adjusting volume, ejecting disks, and moreTips for prioritizing your most-used commands in Alfred’s suggestionsEpisode Highlights:Live demo of emptying Trash using a custom Alfred keywordStep-by-step guide through Alfred’s settings and accessibility featuresHow to enable and tweak system control keywordsPractical tips for speeding up everyday Mac tasksEncouragement to explore Alfred’s full suite of system commandsIf you’re looking to simplify repetitive Mac tasks with just a few keystrokes, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you work smarter and faster.Helpful Links:Alfred App: https://www.alfredapp.com/Download Alfred on the Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alfred/id405843582?mt=12TranscriptDisclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.Gaurav: Hello, everyone. Welcome to part two in our Alfred demonstrations and walkthrough series. In today's demo, I'm going to be showing you how you can go into the Alfred settings and set up keywords that you can type into the Alfred search bar, which can trigger certain actions on your Mac. Today, I'll be showing you how you can use a keyword to empty your trash. So just to demonstrate how this works, I'm going to show you how it works on my Mac right now.Gaurav: I'm going to press command space to open the Alfred search bar.VoiceOver: Application. Alfred system dialogue, Alfred search field, Alfred search.Gaurav: I'm going to type my keyword, which is empty. E F T Y force empty trash empty. I've typed the word empty and you can hear it already said force empty trash. I'm going to hit enter. And you heard the trash emptying sound in the background there. So I just have to whenever I want to empty my trash, I just have to trigger Alfred, type in my keyword, hit enter and my trash can gets empty. Now I'm going to show you how you can set this up…