Accessibility Software Suffers Following Apple's Faceshift Acquisition

[MacRumors]

Back in September, MacRumors uncovered evidence that Apple had acquired Zurich-based real-time capture firm Faceshift, in a move possibly related to the development of biometrics for unlocking devices or authorizing payments through facial recognition techniques. Apple later confirmed the purchase in a statement.

Before the acquisition, Faceshift worked closely with game and animation studios on technology designed to quickly and accurately capture facial expressions using 3D sensors.

One of the lesser known aspects of Faceshift's business was licensing out its face tracking SDK to other companies, one of which was Xcessity, a small Austrian firm that specializes in designing human-computer interaction software to improve accessibility.

One of the most popular products made by the firm is KinesicMouse, which enables disabled people and those with degenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease to control a mouse through facial expressions. The functionality of the KinesicMouse software - which is also used in hospital settings - depended heavily on the SDK developed by Faceshift, which received a royalty fee for every purchased license.

Earlier this week, Xcessity CEO Markus Pröll revealed in a tweet and a post on the Xcessity forum that Faceshift had revoked the license following Apple's acquisition of the company, and that he would no longer be able to develop or offer the software:

The Faceshift SDK is the result of a research team that focused on this topic for several years at the university ETH Zürich. Whilst it would not be impossible to create such a software it would take way too much time and resources. Believe me after about four years of development I have tried about everything.

I don't know who or why the decision was made to cancel the existing license agreement. I want to explicitly mention that I don't make any claims that Apple or Faceshift is responsible for the cancellation. On this part I am left in the dark just as you are. All I can tell is that the guys from Faceshift have been very supportive through all those years.

The news came as a blow to users of the software, and Pröll says he has received "quite a few messages" from people who really depend on the app. One user of the software told MacRumors:

People like me depend on this affordable solution to access computer games. It brought me back to gaming although I have suffered from muscular dystrophy since I was a child. Shame on Apple for locking down such a solution.

If the license cancellation is indeed linked to Apple's acquisition of Faceshift, the KinesicMouse software would appear to be an unfortunate casualty, given Cupertino's stated commitment to accessibility. MacRumors has reached out to Apple for comment and we'll update this story with any forthcoming response.

Article Link: Accessibility Software Suffers Following Apple's Faceshift Acquisition

 

[Onexy]

I hope this reaches Tim Cook.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I'd wager this wasn't a conscious or willfully planned consequence of the acquisition and Apple will resolve the issue.

 

[G-News]

Another PR fiasco waiting to happen.

 

[McFreggle]

I hope this reaches Tim Cook.

It's on the rumor sites. It will reach him.

Whether he chooses to ignore it or not is up to him and his management team.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Whether he chooses to ignore it or not is up to him and his management team.

He won't. This'll get sorted pretty quickly.

 

[D-Dave]

If true...very shortsighted decision...and OUCH for those depending on the software.
Actualy, if indeed true...apple may very well be in for some fire and brimstone...and rightfully so.

 

[keysofanxiety]

If true...very shortsighted decision...and OUCH for those depending on the software.
Actualy, if indeed true...apple may very well be in for some fire and brimstone...and rightfully so.

Ahh, I don't think it was a conscious decision. Again I do contest that this was an unforseen/predicted hiccup that will be resolved very quickly, as soon as it reaches Cook's ears.

 

[StevieD100]

Has anyone given any thought that it might not be within Apple's ability to restore the licenses?
Perhaps there is some other party involved that licensed bits of the software that they licensed?
Perhaps that party has decided to play hardball with Apple and demand lots more money for their bit of the puzzle?

The reson I ask is that I faced this very thing some years ago.

 

[needfx]

bad apple, baaaad apple

 

[keysofanxiety]

Has anyone given any thought that it might not be within Apple's ability to restore the licenses?
Perhaps there is some other party involved that licensed bits of the software that they licensed?
Perhaps that party has decided to play hardball with Apple and demand lots more money for their bit of the puzzle?

I dunno. Something tells me Tim wouldn't be too happy with somebody playing hardball at the expense of accessibility for physically disabled people.

People do compare him frequently to Jobs and state he doesn't have the presence -- fair point for the keynotes -- but he's a fair badass when it comes to this sort of stuff. He has a lot more influence and intimidation than people give him credit for.

 

[2457282]

Let's wait on the response from Apple. Maybe it was an oversight when they cancelled all licenses as the do with acquisitions. Or maybe there is something else going on. I don't like to judge until I have heard both sides. That is the prefered method (not here on MR, but in the real world).

 

[mantan]

Ahh, I don't think it was a conscious decision. Again I do contest that this was an unforseen/predicted hiccup that will be resolved very quickly, as soon as it reaches Cook's ears.

I agree. Plus this is the kind of negative story no CEO wants as a consequence of an acquisition. If this is something that can be addressed, it seems like Cook would handle it quickly.

 

[JosephAW]

Apple's support for people with disabilities has always been weak.
Many times while using voiceover to read something it either completely fails and is silent or is not reading the dialog box that is on the screen.

 

[apolloa]

Apple, this is disgusting and totally unacceptable. I highly suggest you resolve this issue as a matter of urgency. Weather this issue was known or not.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Apple's support for people with disabilities has always been weak.

I could not disagree with this more. They are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

 

[samcraig]

I could not disagree with this more. They are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

Just curious how so?

 

[NT1440]

Hopefully Apple spins off that product (and team) as a separate company that can continue it's work effectively outside of Apple.

 

[tmaxxtigger]

Same thing happened when they purchased Authentec for the fingerprint sensor, suddenly all their existing customers where up a creek without paddle.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Just curious how so?

Well... how aren't they?

They have support built-in to all of their operating systems -- mobile or computer -- which has functionality to enable any disability to operate the device. You must appreciate that the AT industry is an absolute cashcow. Basic applications which utilise built-in accessibility features on Windows/OS X are extortionately priced.

Companies take advantage of this industry because not many people design things for disabled people. Updates to patch to Windows 8.1/Windows 10, or to the next version of OS X, are not free. They're very expensive too. Furthermore, third-party applications can be bitterly buggy and have awful customer support.

Apple have all accessibility features in all of their operating systems free of charge. They have continued to make leaps and strides to add more and more features. You might think it's something simple but accept my assurances that this is a very rare thing in the computer industry. They are a fabulous company for this.

 

[Glassed Silver]

Has anyone given any thought that it might not be within Apple's ability to restore the licenses?
Perhaps there is some other party involved that licensed bits of the software that they licensed?
Perhaps that party has decided to play hardball with Apple and demand lots more money for their bit of the puzzle?

The reson I ask is that I faced this very thing some years ago.

I'm sorry for the wind that blew in your face, that sucks a lot man.

And as for your point made: this could actually be the case and if it is, I hope that the news stories this is likely to generate will help balance the negotiations so the software can be sold again.

On a related note: I don't know how the software works, but is it still working for anyone who purchased it in time or is it "cloud-powered" and needs this license to be active at all times?

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[D-Dave]

Ahh, I don't think it was a conscious decision. Again I do contest that this was an unforseen/predicted hiccup that will be resolved very quickly, as soon as it reaches Cook's ears.

I think/hope so too...

 

[samcraig]

Well... how aren't they?

They have support built-in to all of their operating systems -- mobile or computer -- which has functionality to enable any disability to operate the device. You must appreciate that the AT industry is an absolute cashcow. Basic applications which utilise built-in accessibility features on Windows/OS X are extortionately priced.

Companies take advantage of this industry because not many people design things for disabled people. Updates to patch to Windows 8.1/Windows 10, or to the next version of OS X, are not free. They're very expensive too. Furthermore, third-party applications can be bitterly buggy and have awful customer support.

Apple have all accessibility features in all of their operating systems free of charge. They have continued to make leaps and strides to add more and more features. You might think it's something simple but accept my assurances that this is a very rare thing in the computer industry. They are a fabulous company for this.

What about Google/Android? How do they compare?

 

[Mascots]

What about Google/Android? How do they compare?

We are not your Google.

 

[keysofanxiety]

What about Google/Android? How do they compare?

Can't say with any great certainty. However standardisation of hardware and software is paramount for a great experience with accessibility. With the fragmentation of Android and the wealth of different devices, I would hypothesise that it wouldn't come close to iOS.

I can say with certainty that Windows is appalling for built-in accessibility features and usability.