The iPad is pretty much what I thought it would be: an oversized iPod Touch. At $500 for the cheapest model, I can see myself purchasing it for its reading capabilities alone. But I’m a little disappointed that Apple, a company noted for its commitment to accessibility on the Mac, seems to have completely abandoned incorporating accessibility features into its portable devices. And I’m not just speaking for those of us with motor impairments; I don’t think too many people with visual impairments are going to be rushing to the local Apple Store to pick one of these up.
I understand that we gimps may not be the target audience for this kind of tech, but throw us a bone, Apple. Include some rudimentary voice control or auditory feedback. Hell, I’d even settle for a vague statement that you’ll explore adding these features in the future. Right now, the iPad (and iPhone) are useless to me without human assistance. With a little ingenuity, that could change, but not without some commitment from Apple. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.
Well said.
Apple . . . are you listening???
‘Cuz we all know when Apple leads others follow. Let’s get it moving!
Hear, hear!
(Er, I mean, please perceive our request with whatever sensory faculties you are capable of using.)
Mark, I hope you have sent these comments directly to Steve/Apple. I suspect that hearing from an attorney (you) would be more likely to lead to results than from a grandma (me).
Barb