ATMac

For users whose main method of computer interaction is via a mouse or other pointing device. These users generally use an on-screen keyboard or dictation software for inputting text.

Amongst updates to the iMac series of computers, Apple yesterday announced an external bluetooth trackpad. This works exactly like the MacBook’s built-in multi-touch trackpad but has a working area of approximately 4.3 by 4.3 inches (11cm by 11cm). A full set of gestures, including the VoiceOver “trackpad as screen” gesture control are available.

Jane Farrall has constructed a great table listing all the important features about all the known assistive/adaptive communication (AAC) applications for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. She’s actively updating the table in response to feedback, this is a great resource for those looking for information about AAC out there.

PinPoint 3 is a program which puts a great animated or static graphic around your mouse pointer when you want it, so you can always locate the cursor. Great for people whose eyesight isn’t the best, or who have large or multiple screens.

If you’re a digital cable TV subscriber in the United States you may have noticed the FireWire port on the back of your cable box. The most common assumption about this port is that it’s something for service technicians only but it’s actually something you can use to control your cable box, if you ask the right questions!

It’s the last day of 2009, and I have some gifts for my wonderful ATMac readers. A LayoutKitchen resources page for KeyStrokes, Proloquo, and SwitchXS users, and five free postcards (real physical postcards!) to you can spread the new year cheer with your friends.

What would you do if you lost all your files because your computer’s hard drive failed? For less than $100 and with no technical knowledge you can have a backup of all the files on your computer, and you’ll never need to worry about hard drives failing and losing all your files.

Jitouch is an application which adds eight new sets of gestures to the MacBook multi-touch trackpads. New gestures include ones for window management and some specifically for web browsing.

Accessible technology has changed Juergen Manthey’s life. Usually, somebody with his disabilities would be expected to exist in a nursing home and watch daytime television which they couldn’t even turn on or off without somebody’s help. Instead, Juergen is really living.

It can be a tough job to check out that your system is fully compatible with a new operating system before you install it. To help out assistive technology users, I’m compiling compatibility information for as much assistive technology and AT-related software as I can find.

Upgrading to Snow Leopard might not make your computer look enormously different, but the hidden guts of the operating system have been extensively worked on. This has implications for assistive technology users - you’ll need to check that your assistive technology will work with Snow Leopard.