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Accessibility Software Suffers Following Apple's Faceshift Acquisition

keysofanxiety said:
I'd wager this wasn't a conscious or willfully planned consequence of the acquisition and Apple will resolve the issue. :)
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Another evil Apple story where we most likely don't have all the facts or it's an issue in the process of being resolved. But evil Apple stories bring the clicks so they'll always be published. This headline makes it sound like all accessibility software across the board is suffering because of Apple.
 
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SDK license for mouse accessibility software revoked from third party possibly because of apple acquisition gate
 
Mascots said:
We are not your Google.
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That info is outdated

keysofanxiety said:
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.
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Me either. I was just prompted by your statement to question. I honestly don't know either because it's not something I admit to following. I think in regards to mobile OS - iOS and Android are pretty even keel. We're not talking about fragmentation because (at least I am) talking about what the company has done to move forward with accessibility.

I'm not trying to argue with you - but I would be curious if anyone knew for certain. As for non-mobile OS/hardware/etc - you could very well be right.
 
 
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StevieD100 said:
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.
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Let's just blame Apples greed. It's easier than an explanation that this is either out of their hands or maybe temporary.
 
Rogifan said:
Another evil Apple story where we most likely don't have all the facts or it's an issue in the process of being resolved. But evil Apple stories bring the clicks so they'll always be published. This headline makes it sound like all accessibility software across the board is suffering because of Apple.
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On the other hand, 'evil Apple stories' like this might bring to light an oversight that results in the company acting to correct an otherwise unfortunate side effect of the acquisition. If the headline read 'Xcessity software suffers...' no-one would know what the hell it was about and likely wouldn't care.

Sometimes, just sometimes, there's humanity in journalism.
 
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samcraig said:
That info is outdated.
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I assume that you didn't read it, discarding it as outdated. That article not only describes the OSs in detail, it accurately describes Google's history and current path with accessibility.

Like I said, we are not your Google. If you want more up to date information, find it yourself and use that solid information to counter someone's broad claim you may have issue with.
 
Mascots said:
I assume that you didn't read it, discarding it as outdated. That article not only describes the OSs in detail, it accurately describes Google's history and current path with accessibility.

Like I said, we are not your Google. If you want more up to date information, find it yourself and use that solid information to counter someone's broad claim you may have issue with.
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Assume away. I skimmed it and still wouldn't claim that preso as proof of what the topic is. Weak at best. I never asked you or anyone to be google. I asked for others in the know to share their opinions since the person I responded to didn't have a full answer. Thanks for playing a moderator though.
 
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At this point in time i'm gonna have to just say "Apple doesn't really know what it wants"

it doing dealings here left, right and center with no strong angle in anything..... Based on what it thinks it is capable of, and what Apple know what it will do with it by "locking it down" clearly Apple doesn't care much about accessibility here in some areas.

Apple would rather treat "lock down " over anything, including "ease of access" is seems now too.

So Apple, exactly what is *your* angle. Could happen to any company... but particularly Apple.
 
D-Dave said:
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.
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I suppose you don't know much about how these things work. Since the company was bought, the licenses would almost certainly need to be re-issued by the NEW owner of the technology. Who depends on a contract to license something from a company that doesn't exist anymore?
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apolloa said:
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.
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Who are you to huff and puff and make demands about a situation you probably know nothing about?
 
I7guy said:
Let's just blame Apples greed. It's easier than an explanation that this is either out of their hands or maybe temporary.
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Let's just blindly defend every single action of the dear leader Jim Jones, I mean Tim Cook without question.
 
Tech198 said:
At this point in time i'm gonna have to just say "Apple doesn't really know what it wants"

it doing dealings here left, right and center with no strong angle in anything..... Based on what it thinks it is capable of, and what Apple know what it will do with it by "locking it down" clearly Apple doesn't care much about accessibility here in some areas.

Apple would rather treat "lock down " over anything, including "ease of access" is seems now too.

So Apple, exactly what is *your* angle. Could happen to any company... but particularly Apple.
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So, you conclude the company that has done more for those struggling with handicaps than any other tech company, e.g., wheelchair users in latest watchOS update, "doesn't care about accessibility?"

http://www.mactrast.com/2011/09/stevie-wonder-praises-apple-steve-jobs-for-ios-accessibility/

http://www.imore.com/apple-and-accessibility-pushing-back-against-unacceptable-realities

https://www.apple.com/support/accessibility/
 
Apple goes out of their way to be accommodating. They went to the extra bother to ensure their devices and watches can be comfortably used by left-handed people. They offered two watch sizes so petite people could comfortable wear their watches, too. I appreciate this more when I see how poor my wearable options are with manufacturers who cater to the other OSes.

So I imagine there was no pettiness or malice here. Time will tell what their intentions really are, but I suspect Tim will fix this.
 
keysofanxiety said:
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.
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So, to sum it up: You made the pronouncement that 'Apple is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition' without any real knowledge or research on the competition.
 
I don't know that this is a fair statement at all?
When I started working with Macs years ago, I was impressed by all the accessibility options they included. Microsoft seems like they've realized the importance of it and played catch-up in recent years. There might be bugs in VoiceOver that need to be addressed. But at least the feature exists.

Take this YouTube video for example:


Back in 2009, he was pointing out how Windows has always been far behind in providing screen magnification capabilities compared to the Mac.


JosephAW said:
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.
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robeddie said:
So, to sum it up: You made the pronouncement that 'Apple is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition' without any real knowledge or research on the competition.
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Give over. Nobody uses or recommends Android for its built-in accessibility features. I've worked in the AT industry doing first-line tech support on this crap for 5 years on Windows/OS X & iOS.

The reason I don't have extensive experience with Android accessibility features is because nobody ever supplies or recommends Android products in this industry, as iOS just does stuff better. It's not our job to question the industry experts and suppliers; it's our job to support what's been provided.

Unbelievably, one can only support what you're given to work with, rather than being expected to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of stuff you'll never encounter in a month of Sundays. If the end-user already has an Android device, the most they'd do is recommend NoteTalker and that's about it.

So frankly you wouldn't have said that if you had any sort of intimate knowledge on the subject. And you wouldn't have said that if you knew just a tenth of the features Apple offer for disabled people. Good job on getting a rise out of me, though.
 
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Kaibelf said:
Who are you to huff and puff and make demands about a situation you probably know nothing about?
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Who the hell are you to criticise and judge someone commenting on disgusting behaviour towards the disabled? Are you an expert lawyer in software licensing and take overs?
Someone would have to of known this would happen, and they obviously let it as this party being affected has not claimed Apple is resolving the situation. If no one knew this would happen then they are unprofessional and should not be involved in take overs.

You do realise Apple purchased this company a year ago right? I'm pretty certain someone involved in the process full well knew this would happen given the timescale involved.
 
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Onexy said:
I hope this reaches Tim Cook.
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Agreed. I don't know how much Tim Cook reads e-mail (or has it filtered by staff) like Steve used to but I sent him an e-mail about this. Parkinson's has personally touched my family and anything that improves quality of life in that regard is a godsend. With Healthkit, Apple has shown it very much cares about improving quality of life so I hope this will be investigated and made right.
 
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