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Should there be a new Apple Watch in 2016?

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Bigger pic of Apple Watch

Apple has a release cycle of a new product each year whether it be computers, phones or other hardware, but does Apple need a new Apple Watch this year?

Advantages of a new Apple Watch model

The advantages of a new Apple Watch this year would be that Apple could put a new processor and memory on the watch, making WatchOS faster and more responsive. They could also allow for better software features on WatchOS 3 as well.

Disadvantages of getting a new Apple Watch model

While it would be cool to see a new watch, you also have to look at the market. Will people want to buy a new Apple Watch, or will they just want to keep with their current model. If you own a sport model of the watch an upgrade is reasonable, but the steel and edition models of the watch are a little more difficult to justify upgrading. The other thing to consider is if Apple decides to keep the same band attachment mechanism. If Apple decides to change how the watch works with bands, then all bands purchased last year and during the beginning of this year will not work on the new watch.

Conclusion

While it would be cool to see a new watch, I don’t think they really need to put out a new model of Apple Watch until 2017. This is because people are just now getting used to wearing their current model, and will have to adapt and adopt a new way of using and wearing the Apple Watch if one becomes available. As mentioned earlier, you may need to get new bands for the new model, and they will cost as much as the first watch you have purchased. I again think that coming out with a second model in March would not be a good idea for Apple, but I do think they could get away with coming out with a watch when the new iPhone 7 becomes available. It would be a neat companion product. Get your iPhone 7 and your new Apple Watch.

What do you think? Do you think Apple should make a new Apple Watch model this year? Let us know in the comments or on social media.

iTerm2 for Mac – a very decent terminal replacement

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iTerm2 Logo

A friend told me about an app today that I wanted to try called iTerm2 for the Mac. This app is a terminal replacement app that lets you write to the Macintosh terminal and execute commands with text. While this is a developer based app I feel it is worth mentioning here at the iAccessibility report as we review all sorts of apps for different platforms.

How does iTerm2 work?

iTerm2 for Mac opens an area where you can write commands to the computer just like the built in Apple terminal application. The advantages of iTerm2 is that it allows for recappable hotkeys, and for the user to open more than one tab, which the terminal app does not do. There are probably many more features to this app, but these are a huge highlight to its benefits over the built in app.

Accessibility

So the big question is, Can VoiceOver work with this app? The surprising answer here is yes. When I opened the iTerm2 app I turned on VoiceOver and VO read the entire screen to start. VoiceOver would then read back what I typed, and then would read the output to that when I pressed enter to execute the command. This is very nice when you try to list the contents of a folder or when you are doing something that you need to have read immediately. For low vision users the app is in white on black to start, so it is a very high contrast solution for low vision users.

Conclusion

While there is already a built in app for administrating the computer from the command line, iTerm 2 provides more features and the ability for power users to work more effectively. This app also offers more blind and low vision users the ability to use a terminal app with high contrast and VoiceOver support.

Quick Tip: How to pair Magic Keyboard with iOS Devices

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Magic Keyboard

The Magic Keyboard is the newest keyboard from Apple and it offers a new sleek and slim design. The nicest feature of the keyboard is its multiple uses with devices. This keyboard can be a wireless keyboard for iOS and Mac, or a wired Mac or PC keyboard.

To pair the Magic Keyboard with an iOS device follow the below instructions.

  1. Make sure your keyboard is on. The keyboard now has an on/off switch instead of a button to make this easier.
  2. Open the settings app
  3. find the Bluetooth section
  4. Look for Magic Keyboard and select it

You may also like to un-pair your keyboard or disconnect it for use with other devices. Here is how you do this.

  1. Open the settings app
  2. Find Bluetooth
  3. Find your Magic Keyboard in the list
  4. Find the More info or details button to the right of your keyboard and select it.
  5. Find the disconnect for forget device option to un-pair your keyboard.

There will be more Magic Keyboard tips added here soon so keep checking back.

#iACast 4 – iAccessibility Update

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 Episode Notes

This week on iA Cast, we discuss the latest in Apple News and product releases. We also discuss the various products and services offered here at iAccessibility, and the events that will be coming up in the future. Here is a rundown of everything we talked about.

  1. Apple released iOS 9 last week. There appears to be bugs that effect some VoiceOver users but not all.
  2. WatchOS 2 was delayed but released yesterday. new apps showing up in the app store.
  3. Some developers were able to receive an Apple TV Developer Kit to try out Apple TV.
  4. iAccessibility will develop your Apple TV apps.
  5. iAccessibility would like to help those interested in software development to get started in programming. Work with us, and you will be paid a percentage of the app’s contract value to develop with iAccessibility.
  6. iAccessibility is looking for content creators and app reviewers. We would like to add more and more apps to the iaccessibility Report, so please contact us and we will add stories you write to our site.
  7. New movies from books coming including The Martian next week.
  8. Destiny released latest expansion for new consoles.
  9. New Apple TV can be a gaming system.
  10. iAccessibility will be at National Federation of the Blind of Texas convention in November with a table.
  11. White Cane Day in Austin is October 14. Go to White Cane Day site for more details.
  12. iAccessibility has over Photography Non-visually to October 3rd. Keep checking our site for more details.
  13. iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch this Friday, September 25th I will have one and review it on iA Cast episode 6.
  14. Thanks to Blind Bargains and AppleVis for such great content and services to the blind.

Please comment on this page and let us know what you think about our podcast. We are always making changes and want your input. Thanks again, and we will see you next week.

#iACast 3 – Apple Event 6s

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Image from iPhone 6s event invitation

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Episode Notes

Apple held their September event yesterday, and while we did not see anything as big as the Apple Watch this year, we still got some really cool devices. Here is what we saw.

  • Apple announced new Apple Watch models and bands with all new colors.
  • Apple announced iPad Pro with 4 speakers that adjust sound quality to how you hold the device, 12.9 inch screen, Smart Keyboard, Apple Pencil, and all new hardware inside. Device goes on sale in November.
  • Apple announced new Apple TV with tvOS with new Siri remote that accepts gestures. out soon for developers.
  • Apple announced new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with new iPhone upgrade program. Pre-orders start the 12th of September. The phone comes with 3D Touch, Fully available, “Hey Siri” support, Live Photos, 12 Megapixel camera, and iOS 9.

Links to more information

iMore.com has some great stories on everything covered yesterday. They are listed below.

Gaming Accessibility News

  • Destiny gets version 2.0
  • World of Warcraft adds brighter textures for finding required quest items.

Events

  • CapMac users group in Austin meets on second Tuesday of each month. New members are encouraged. for more details, go to cadmic.org
  • iAccessibility will be hosting the Photography Non-visually event on September 26th We will post the event shortly here at accessibility.net

Don’t forget to ask Siri to give us a hint while the hints are still there. They are pretty funny, and several are demoed during the episode.

#iACast 2 – Accessibility Update

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iAccessibility Logo

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Episode Notes

Apple News

  1. Apple is holding an event next week to announce its new Phones. It is expected that the new iPhone will be announced.
  2. WatchOS 2.0 should come out next week along with iOS 9

Apple Watch Accessibility

  1. Apple Watch apps still could be more accessible.
  2. Watch apps will be more accessible after WatchOS 2.0 is released and developers have time to work with the code.

Windows 10 Accessibility

  1. Windows 10 is ready for screen readers, but is not fully supported by any screen reader.
  2. Narrator works with Windows 10, but is not for everyone.
  3. Cortona is a great tool for Windows 10 users, and will be more useful when screen readers work better with the OS.
  4. Edge browser not accessible with screen readers at this point.

Accessibility in Gaming

  1. Games have come a long way in recent years to support accessibility
  2. Destiny has color blind mode, and constant sounds to help low vision players find items to pick up or activate.
  3. Mortal Kombat X and Injustice made more accessible with audible cues thanks to blind gamer.
  4. Mobile game accessibility becoming more popular with the Blindfold games and games like Trivia Crack and Dice World.
  5. Trivia Crack needs to fix several buttons as they are no longer labeled.

Other Resources

Check out these resources online to further your technology knowledge.

  1. BlindBargains http://www.blindbargains.com
  2. Lynda.com http://www.lynda.com
  3. TWiT http://www.twit.tv
  4. iMore http://www.imore.com
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