Each option has different features, and of course different things work for different people so I’ll let you know as many features as I have knowledge of, and we can go from there:

SpaceKraft’s iPod Switcher

This is the simplest controller, with only three buttons. It has a desktop docking unit where the iPod sits plus a wireless controller unit with the three buttons.

The iPod Switcher with a traditional type iPod

Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track.

Switch access: This unit does not allow your own switches to be plugged in, only the unit’s own built-in buttons can be used.

Compatibility: The sales page just says “iPod”. There’s no clear indication of which iPods it will operate with – it looks like the dock part would only fit specific sizes of iPods.

Wireless controller size: 24cm wide, 19cm deep, 7cm tall.

Button size: Unspecified.

Cost: £295

Notes: The switcher control box is battery powered. The page says “Operates on 240v” which implies the dock section needs to be plugged in to operate, however.

RJ Cooper’s BIG iPod Remote

Five-button remote with large brightly coloured buttons on the top, separate switches can also be plugged in.

RJ's BIG iPod Remote being used by an elderly woman

Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume up, Volume down.

Switch access: The unit’s own built-in buttons can be used or any/all of these buttons can be replaced by separate switches.

Compatibility: It should fit any iPod/iPhone/iPad except the iPod Shuffle.

Wireless controller size: 8″ wide x 5″ deep x 3″ tall.

Button size: The large green button is 1-3/4″ and the smaller buttons are 1-1/4″.

Cost: US$119

Technical Solutions’ iScanMP3 (formerly SwitchPod)

Single switch visual/auditory scanning system, including adjustable scan speed.

The iScan MP3 plugged into a traditional style iPod

Functions it controls: Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track, Volume up, Volume down, Power on/off.

Switch access: Plug in any standard switch.

Compatibility: It should fit any iPod/iPhone/iPad except the iPod Shuffle.

Cost: AU$190

Other Options

There are some ‘easy music controller’ programs for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad which present an interface that’s easier to operate for those with limited dexterity. They generally operate by gestures, where a single tap gesture anywhere on the screen will operate either the ‘pause/play’ function or the ‘next song’ function. Some are configurable so that you can define what gestures mean what.

These are some cheap options I recommend:

Gesture Player

This is the one I use myself to listen to my audio books. Specially cool things about it:

• Compatible with both iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch. Most seem to be iPhone/iPod Touch only.
• Clearly displays the function you have activated, so you know what’s happening.
• You can pick a default playlist to use. Most seem to only have the option to use the full library.
• Can adjust the sensitivity of the gesture recogniser, more sensitive requires the gestures to be more accurate before they’re recognised.

About the only thing that isn’t perfect about this one is there’s no ability to configure which gesture does what!

Swiper Music Player

Swiper has slightly different controls, so a single tap to the screen moves to the next track and a long tap (press-and-hold) is needed to operate the play/pause function. It also displays the music’s cover art so you can see pictorially what’s playing. Swiper is for the iPhone/iPod Touch only, there’s no iPad native version.

LeechTunes

LeechTunes allows some controls to be customised, but basic controls seem fixed, including a single tap operating the play/pause function. There are a bunch of different “skins” to change the appearance and a software function to lock the program in either portrait or landscape mode. It also has iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad versions.

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch AAC Apps Rundown
2. iPhone/iPod Touch Voice Commands
3. Control Your iPod With Your Voice!

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I’ve tried a lot of remote apps, but for me, HippoRemote gets the nod. Once you go through a surprisingly painless setup process, HippoRemote will connect to your computer and hand the reins over to you. Your iPhone is now a fully-featured multi-touch trackpad. Tap the keyboard button at the top of the screen and HippoRemote will provide you with a standard iPhone keyboard with some extra features attached. Explore further, and you will see that HippoRemote turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into an advanced media browser that lets you interact with some of the coolest media programs on your Mac, including the built in stuff like iTunes and Front Row as well as third party apps like Boxee and Hulu Desktop. Let’s walk through some of HippoRemote’s features. HippoRemote comes in a few different flavors, so we’ll be looking at HippoRemote Pro.

The Keyboard

Basic keyboard view in HippoRemote Pro

The keyboard behavior of HippoRemote is arguably the best available on a remote app. Most standard iPhone keyboard behavior is present. For example, spacing after a period or a comma will change the keyboard from the punctuation layout back to the alphabet layout. Tapping the shift key once will keep it activated until you tap a letter, then it is deactivated. If you want CAPSLOCK then double tap the shift key to activate it, then tap it once when your done. These behaviors are the Apple standard, but many remote apps do not use them because of the way characters are sent to the computer. I find that these behaviors are important because they increase typing efficiency.

In addition to replicating iPhone’s standard keyboard behaviors, HippoRemote takes advantage of iPhone’s built-in ability to predict what you are writing. HippoRemote displays what you are typing in a text field on the phone at the same time that it is sending it to your computer. If you misspell a word, you can tap on it to see substitutes and HippoRemote will make the correction on your computer automatically. HippoRemote also displays a list of the last few strings you’ve typed. Touching one will re-type that string.

Besides standard keyboard layouts, HippoRemote provides arrow keys and modifier keys (command, option, etc.) as well as the full range of function keys.

HippoRemote adds one feature that I haven’t seen in other remote apps: it has support for TextExpander Touch. TextExpander Touch allows you to create snippets of text that can be automatically triggered by specified shortcodes (eg, “fn” could expand to your full name). You don’t need TextExpander on your Mac for these to work, as TextExpander Touch expands the snippets before they’re sent to the computer.

The keyboard supports vertical and horizontal orientations. And in the Basic or Lite versions of HippoRemote, the keyboard and the trackpad can be displayed at the same time.

Multi-touch trackpad

Multi-touch trackpad view in HippoRemote Pro

The multi-touch trackpad features left and right mouse buttons as well as the ability to use tapping, two-finger scrolling and other gestures. If you are like me, and have trouble using more than one finger, you will appreciate HippoRemote’s unique scroll button. By moving your finger from the bottom of the screen to the middle, you activate a scrolling knob that allows you to scroll by moving your finger in a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion. That means you can use one finger to scroll without the need to look down.

Like the keyboard, the trackpad supports vertical and horizontal orientations.

Profiles for Remote Control Panels

Browsing profiles in HippoRemote Pro

HippoRemote Pro can change its interface based on what application you are using. For example, I am currently in the Mac OS profile. At the bottom of the trackpad area, there are several buttons that allow me to do things like trigger Spotlight and Expose or run macros that control volume, press eject, open Dashboard and other functions. Switching to the iTunes profile provides a control panel for manipulating playback. Switching to the Pandora profile allows you to control the Pandora web app. There are dozens of profiles installed with HippoRemote and more can be added from inside the app itself. If you are technically inclined, there are instructions for making your very own profiles.

Extras

On top of all these great features, HippoRemote includes a native web browser and Twitter client. You can even open links from HippoRemote’s Twitter client directly in your Mac’s web browser.

Different Versions

HippoRemote comes in three flavors: HippoRemote Lite (free, ad-supported), HippoRemote Basic ($1.99USD), and HippoRemote Pro ($4.99USD). Unfortunately, it’s a bit confusing as to what features are found in which versions. For the purpose of this review, I used the Pro version. If you are looking to replace a keyboard, I recommend getting the Pro version. At about five bucks, you’ll be getting all of HippoRemote’s features at a fairly inexpensive price compared to most assistive technology software. However, if having the trackpad and keyboard display simultaneously would be useful for you then you will want to grab the basic version.

If you need to know about a specific feature and you can’t find it on the HippoRemote website, feel free to contact the developer. He actually has an interest in making HippoRemote even better for people with disabilities and will value any feedback you provide. That being said, you can always send me an email too.

Alternative Apps

Here are some other apps that are similar to HippoRemote. Depending on your needs, one of these might work better for you. I have these apps installed on my iPhone. Although I am not planning to review them at the time of this writing, you can email me if you have questions about them.

Rowmote Pro, $4.99USD, by Evan Schoenberg

Designed for iPhone and iPad, good keyboard behavior, can display keyboard and trackpad simultaneously, can simulate the Apple Remote Control including support for dozens of applications.

TouchPad, $4.99USD, by Edovia, Inc.

Designed for iPhone and iPad, good keyboard behavior, can display keyboard and trackpad simultaneously, great user interface, Windows compatible, media remote.

Touchpad Elite, $0.99USD, by iTeleport LLC

Good keyboard behavior, can type locally and then send a paragraph at once, can display keyboard and trackpad simultaneously, Windows compatible, media remote.

Air Mouse Pro, $1.99USD, by R.P.A. Tech, INC

Optional accelerometer-based “air” mouse activated by physically moving the iPhone/etc in the air, good keyboard behavior, can display keyboard and trackpad simultaneously, Windows compatible, media remote, separate iPad compatible app.

Conclusion

If you can operate an iPhone or iPod Touch, you might find that typing with HippoRemote is faster and more efficient than typing with an onscreen keyboard. And as an added bonus, you get some powerful, easy-to-use controls for interacting with popular media applications. And if you happen to be a Windows user, you’re in luck. HippoRemote is compatible with Windows and Linux as well as Mac OS X.

- Blake Watson

Related posts:

1. Dasher – A keyboard alternative for mouse users
2. Remote Controls for Macs without a Remote Control
3. pearPad – iPhone as a trackpad/keyboard for your Mac

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This article was originally published at HippoRemote Replaces Your Keyboard, Mouse, and Remote Control and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2012. May be forwarded but do not republish without permission.

Video is in ASL with closed captions and transcript available.

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. Sign Smith ASL – Animated dictionary for iPhone and iPod Touch
2. Auslan Tutor for the iPhone/iPod touch
3. iSign – Animated ASL dictionary for iPhone and iPod Touch

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This article was originally published at How Do I Use ZVRS With My iPhone or iPod Touch? and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2012. May be forwarded but do not republish without permission.

Announcements included:

Upgraded iPod Touch

This iPod Touch has all the cool stuff recently added to the iPhone, including FaceTime video calling, the high definition Retina Display, and it’s own forward and rear facing cameras.

Upgraded iPod Nano With Touch-screen

The iPod Nano now sports the same type of touchscreen that the other iDevices have, including VoiceOver and most of the same other accessibility features found on the iPhone and iPads.

Upgraded iPod Shuffle

This new iPod Shuffle sports physical buttons again, as well as VoiceOver, and support for playlists.

Upgraded Apple TV

it’s smaller, sleeker, and black! Seriously, though, if you are an ardent Mac/Apple user this looks like a great way to integrate your setup with your existing TV/stereo system.

iTunes 10

iTunes 10 has a social network feature and TV shows can now be rented. And, of course, it works with the newly upgraded devices.

That’s all from me until my Mac is back in service, which should be early next week. What do you think about the accessibility implications of these announcements?

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. Accessible iTunes, Accessible iPod – Apple's September Special Event
2. WWDC '10 Announcements: Accessibility Implications
3. Touchpad Pro

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I couldn’t test this app because it only works for USA customers who already have a USA mobile phone number, but it seems to have some good reviews from users.

ShoutOUT allows you to send and receive messages, with full texting capabilities including:

• Inbox and outbox
• Discussions threaded by recipient
• Status updates on Facebook and Twitter
• Push notification of incoming messages
• Thumbnail images for all your contacts
• Shake-to-Clear

ShoutOUT is a full-featured messaging app with voice dictation. Speak your text messages or Facebook and Twitter updates and see the results in seconds—there’s no faster way to create and send messages.

ShoutOUT allows you to send and receive text messages at a cost far lower than the standard rates charged by mobile operators. For outbound messages, keyboard entered messages are free and unlimited, and you pay only pennies per message for voice-generated texts. All inbound messages are free and unlimited.

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. Speech-to-Text: Dictation software for Mac OS X
2. “Text to Speech” or “Speech to Text”?
3. Text-to-Speech in Languages other than English

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Digit-Eyes is an application that runs on the iPhone and which uses inexpensive off-the-shelf address labels and a standard inkjet or laser printer to enable iPhone users to make labels that are read aloud by their phone. It can also be used to read manufacturer’s UPC barcodes.

As the CTO for Digit-Eyes, I often get asked “so what is Digit-Eyes good for other than labelling food and files?”

There are many things that are labeled for sighted people and where having labels that can easily be found and read by those who are not sighted is useful.

Using the Digit-Eyes website, you can make two types of labels:

Audio labels

great when you are labelling an item where the description might change (for instance, making notes to yourself), where there is a lot of content (such as when the pharmacist tells you what a prescription is for and you want to record what she says) or where you want the content to be private. The latter is because the audio label content is recorded on your phone and only you can access it.

Text labels

handy when you are labelling something that won’t change or where you want other people to be able to read the labels.

We’ve heard from quite a number of people who’ve used text labels to make appliances accessible. Good labelling of appliance controls adds a margin of safety and convenience to ordinary household tasks. Because the address labels used by Digit-Eyes are thin and flat (unlike conventional Braille labels), they can be used to over-label those increasingly-common flat switches that are easy to clean – but which are completely impossible to understand by touch. The photo below shows how:

Using an iPhone to read Digit-Eyes labels on an oven

First, the customer went to the Digit-Eyes website, selected the type of labels she had and typed descriptions of the buttons on her oven.

She got a PDF file of the codes, put a sheet of labels in her printer and printed the codes on the labels. She peeled the labels off and affixed them to the oven controls. The labels are above the buttons for the convenience of sighted members of the household, but they can actually put directly over most types of buttons with no ill-effects.

The job was completed by putting a layer of clear shelf paper over the labels to keep them clean.

Reading Oven Labels

When the customer wants to use her oven, she simply locates the label by touch, scans it with the Digit-Eyes app on her iPhone and listens to the description of the control.

In addition to adding a measure of kitchen safety, this little project is a great way to try out making and reading labels for the iPhone.

The full version of Digit-Eyes costs US$29.99 from the iTunes app store. Digit-Eyes Lite, a version that only reads text labels, is free.

Have you tried Digit-Eyes? Share your stories and tips in the comments.

- Nancy Miracle

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase the products that I've linked to I'll get a commission - a small percentage of the sale price. It won't cost you anything and it will help to support me and ATMac.

Related posts:

1. Digit-Eyes uses iPhone + Printer to label things
2. Why not make the iPhone more Accessible?
3. Accessible iTunes, Accessible iPod – Apple's September Special Event

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This article was originally published at Make Appliances and Controls Accessible with Digit-Eyes and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2012. May be forwarded but do not republish without permission.

You’ll need an iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 to use this. As I have neither, I haven’t been able to test it myself but members of the blind iPhone users mailing list have been overwhelmingly positive about the system.

The full version is priced at US$29.99 until the end of September when the price will be rising. There is also a free Lite version which only works with text labels (you need to input the text before printing the label, so these are less convenient than audio labels).

You’re blind. Here’s your shopping:

You’re sighted. Here’s your shopping:

Digit-Eyes is a unique cell-phone application that uses inexpensive off-the-shelf office supplies and a standard inkjet or laser printer to enable iPhone users to make audio labels or text labels that are read aloud by their phone.

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. Make Appliances and Controls Accessible with Digit-Eyes
2. The Accessible iPhone 3GS
3. iPhone text accessibility plan for customers with disabilities

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This article was originally published at Digit-Eyes uses iPhone + Printer to label things and is copyright (C) Ricky Buchanan 2012. May be forwarded but do not republish without permission.

iPhone/iPad Apps for AAC

by Jane Farrall

As you probably know, there are an increasing number of iPhone/iPod touch/iPad Apps for AAC available on the iTunes store.  So many that I’m having trouble keeping them straight in my own head – so I thought a blog was in order as that would be something for us all to refer to.

I have listed all the AAC Apps I am aware of below – along with some salient features. Keeping in tune with the idea of user ratings encouraged by iTunes, I have also added my own rating column from one to three stars.

I have also put the Apps into three groups – Apps with symbols/pictures only, Apps with symbols/pictures and text-to-speech and Apps with text-to-speech only.

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. Proloquo2Go – AAC for iPhone and iPod Touch
2. ShapeWriter – iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad Typing Without Lifting Your Finger
3. iPod Touch Apps For The Dexterity Challenged

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Downloadable Tutorials

Basics – Overview tutorial
Settings – Adjusting the look and feel tutorials
Creation – Creating vocabulary content tutorials
Others – Other tutorials

- Ricky Buchanan

If you are going to buy Proloquo2Go, please consider using the links in this article. If you do, I'll get a commission - a small percentage of the sale price. It won't cost you anything and it will help to support me and ATMac.

Related posts:

1. Proloquo2Go Is A Go!
2. Proloquo2Go Website Launched
3. Proloquo2Go – AAC for iPhone and iPod Touch

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iPhone 4 - new shape, an extra camera, a gyroscope, and it's faster too!

• The iPhone 4 is on its way, with a much higher resolution and higher contrast display, longer battery life, a 3-axis gyroscope for more accurate sensing of the phone’s position, a better camera for stills and video, and additional front-facing camera for video chat (currently limited to Wifi only and iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 only, however).
• iPhone OS, the software that runs the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad will be renamed iOS and version 4 will be released on June 21. iOS 4 will include limited multitasking, apps can be organised in folders in your home screen, it has bluetooth braille display compatibility as part of VoiceOver, and there is a new “large font” features in Mail, Contacts, Notes, and Messages applications.
• iBooks, Apple’s ebook reader already available for iPad (and fully accessible), will be released for iPhone and iPod Touch as well and the new version will include support for reading PDFs and the ability to take notes within books.
• Safari 5 is to be released for OS X and Windows. Major improvements in speed are expected, the ability to choose your search engine, and there is now a secure official plugin capability.

As is common, a bunch of new software has been released and some more hardware updates have been announced shortly post WWDC. These have included:

My next computer upgrade will probably be to a Mac Mini - They're so gorgeous!

• OS X 10.6.4 has been released with mostly hidden upgrades including compatibility improvements with some braille displays.
• iTunes 9.2 for OS X and Windows has been released, with improvements to make it compatible with the forthcoming iOS 4 and the iPhone 4 including the ability to organise PDF documents as books, it also has faster backups when syncing iOS devices.
• A new line-up of the energy-efficient Mac Mini desktops has been released, with an aluminium enclosure to match the new Macbooks, SD card slot, better graphics performance, and an HDMI port.

Wow, that’s a lot of new stuff in just a few weeks, and a lot of information to take in!

Some of these announcements will prompt further posts in the future to explore the implications in depth, but now you’re up to date with all the latest information.

- Ricky Buchanan

Related posts:

1. Back To The Accessible Mac: Accessibility Implications From Apple’s 20 October Event’
2. Accessibility For Lion
3. Apple announcements For September 1, 2010

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