In 2022, the Global Assistive Technology market was valued at $21.95 billion and is expected to hit $31.22 billion by 2030. Big tech companies create accessibility products to demonstrate inclusivity, comply with legal requirements, and tap into a growing market. Such products enhance the user experience, foster innovation, and provide a competitive advantage. Here are a few of the products and services offered by big tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google to build an inclusive environment for the visually and hearing impaired.
Voice Control
Apple's Voice Control is an advanced accessibility feature available on iOS and macOS devices. It allows users with motor impairments or limited physical dexterity to control their Apple devices entirely through voice commands. This feature goes beyond traditional voice assistants, providing comprehensive control over the entire operating system and various apps, making it an essential tool for individuals with disabilities seeking a more accessible and independent user experience.
Be My Eyes
Starting from 2012, Danish startup Be My Eyes has been dedicated to developing technology for the visually impaired community, which consists of over 250 million people who are blind or have low vision. With the introduction of GPT-4, they are now working on creating a GPT-4 powered Virtual Volunteer integrated into their app. This virtual volunteer aims to offer the same level of context and understanding as a human volunteer, leveraging the visual input capabilities of GPT-4 to better support the visually impaired community.
Seeing AI
Seeing AI is an innovative and powerful mobile app developed by Microsoft for iOS devices, designed to assist people with visual impairments. The app harnesses the capabilities of artificial intelligence and computer vision to provide real-time assistance to users in understanding the world around them.
Ease of Access Center
Windows Ease of Access Center is a central hub of accessibility features and settings built into the Windows operating system. It is designed to make Windows PCs more user-friendly and accessible for individuals with disabilities or impairments. The Ease of Access Center provides a comprehensive set of tools such as Narrator (screen reader), Magnifier (screen magnification), and Speech Recognition, that cater to various accessibility needs, allowing users to customize their computing experience according to their requirements.
Google TalkBack
Google’s Android Accessibility Suite - a comprehensive collection of accessibility features and services to make Android devices more inclusive and accessible to users with diverse disabilities - offers services such as TalkBack and Live transcribe.
This is a screen reader that provides audible feedback to users with visual impairments. It reads aloud on-screen text, buttons, icons, and other elements, enabling users to navigate their devices, interact with apps, and access information effectively. There is also a TalkBack Braille feature that integrates with external braille devices, allowing blind users to read and navigate the interface through braille input and output.
Google Live Transcribe
It is designed to assist individuals with hearing impairments by providing real-time speech-to-text transcription. The app uses the device's microphone to capture spoken words and instantly converts them into written text on the screen, allowing users to read and follow conversations or speeches in real-time.
Switch Control
Apple's Switch Control is a powerful accessibility feature available on iOS and macOS devices. It is designed to cater to individuals with motor impairments, physical disabilities, or limited dexterity, providing them with an alternative and customizable way to interact with their Apple devices. Switch Control allows users to control their devices using external adaptive switches, which can be physical buttons, Bluetooth-enabled devices, or other assistive technology.
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