Over the past few days, 9to5Mac and MacRumors have posted details of several
iOS features that are reportedly in development at Apple.
Based upon findings in supposed unreleased iOS 14 code, one of these reports
is of a new developer framework named VoiceProvider, which could let
developers replace built-in speech voices on iOS with custom text-to-speech
synthesizers.
Information on how this might be used is speculative, with
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/apple-voiceprovider-framework/>
MacRumors saying:
Voice synthesizer extensions would be bundled with apps from the App Store,
and then could be offered to the system to replace the default speech voice,
which could be important for languages and dialects that Apple does not
support. This could potentially extend to an API for the HomePod, although
this is not for certain.
<https://www.idownloadblog.com/2020/03/10/ios-14-custom-voice-synthesizers/>
iDownloadBlog.com takes the speculation a step further by suggesting that
custom synthesizers could "range from Space Odyssey's HAL 9000 computer to
the Majel Barrett-Roddenberry computer voice from Star Trek".
The leaked code is currently in the early stages of development, so much of
what's been found might not make it into the first iOS 14 beta, or even into
iOS 14 at all. Accordingly, all that we can reasonably say for now about
what this finding might mean for VoiceOver users is to "watch this space",
but it does certainly appear that Apple has something in mind.
In its exploration of the leaked iOS code,
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/10/ios-14-wallpapers-third-parties-improved-acc
essibility-alipay-apple-pay/> 9to5Mac has discovered what might be some
major new accessibility improvements coming in iOS 14:
Our code findings uncovered a new feature that will be able to detect
important sounds like fire alarms, sirens, door knocks, doorbells, and
crying babies. Presumably, iOS will translate these alerts into haptics for
people who have hearing loss.
More new accessibility features would bring support for the camera to detect
hand gestures while "Audio Accommodations can improve audio tuning over
AirPods or EarPods for people with mild to moderate hearing loss".
Further iOS 14 should offer the ability to run an audiogram on-device to
help the users tune the audio.
Other findings from the supposed iOS 14 code include:
*
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/09/sophisticated-mouse-cursor-support-coming-to
-ios-14-new-ipad-smart-keyboard-models-with-trackpad/> Sophisticated mouse
cursor support coming to iOS 14, new iPad Smart Keyboard models with
trackpad
* <https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/10/ios-14-home-screen-list-view/>
iOS 14 to include new homescreen list view option with Siri suggestions and
more
*
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/imessage-mentions-retractions-more/>
Apple Testing New iMessage Features Such as Mentions and Retracting
Messages, Could Extend to Mac App
*
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/apple-ios-14-fitness-app-guided-workou
ts/> Apple Developing Fitness App for iOS 14 That Lets You Download Guided
Workout Videos
*
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/09/apple-watch-series-6-watchos-7-features/>
Apple Watch Series 6 and watchOS 7 to include 'Infograph Pro' with
tachymeter, Schooltime and kids mode, sleep tracking, more
*
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/airtags-cr2032-battery-rumor/> Apple's
Rumored Tile Competitor 'AirTag' May Have Removable Coin-Shaped Battery Like
the Tile Pro
*
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/ios-14-ocr-apple-pencil-text-conversio
n/> iOS 14 Features New OCR Capabilities That Will Convert Handwritten Text
From Apple Pencil Into Typed Text
* <https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/10/ios-14-homekit/> HomeKit in iOS
14: Face recognition, Apple TV audio, Night Shift for lights
* <https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/09/airpods-headphones-ios-14/> iOS
14 icon leak reveals first look at Apple's high-end, over-ear headphones
with AirPods features
Submitted by AppleVis
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