In Sunday’s segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we took a look at Apple’s SOS via Satellite service which is now operational in Australia and New Zealand.
Since launching last year, Emergency SOS via satellite has already helped save lives in the 12 countries where it has been available. The service is free for two years starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 14 model.
I showed Tim how it works and why it’s a game changer for Australians.
WHAT ABOUT ANDROID USERS?
It’s coming soon. Samsung has announced it’s working on satellite comms and Qualcomm has also announced Snapdragon Satellite. So it could be this year, maybe next?
Garmin has small devices that already do Satellite texting but that’s another device and another cost. We always have our phones with us so that’s why this type of smartphone service is so critical.
APPLE ACCESSIBILITY
Apple made some important accessibility announcements during the week but one really stood out – it’s called LIVE SPEECH – coming soon to iOS. With Live Speech on iPhone, iPad and Mac a user can can type what they want to say – then the iPhone will speak in their voice – creating a synthesised voice that sounds like them. This will work out loud during phone and FaceTime calls, as well as in-person conversations.
Live Speech has been designed to support millions of people globally who are unable to speak or who have lost their speech over time.
Users can create a Personal Voice by reading along with a randomised set of text prompts to record 15 minutes of audio on iPhone or iPad. This speech accessibility feature uses on-device machine learning to keep users’ information private and secure, and integrates seamlessly with Live Speech so users can speak with their Personal Voice when connecting with loved ones.
Detection Mode in Magnifier Introduces Point and Speak for Users Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Point and Speak in Magnifier makes it easier for users with vision disabilities to interact with physical objects that have several text labels. For example, while using a household appliance — such as a microwave — Point and Speak combines input from the Camera app, the LiDAR Scanner and on-device machine learning to announce the text on each button as users move their finger across the keypad.2 Point and Speak is built into the Magnifier app on iPhone and iPad, works great with VoiceOver, and can be used with other Magnifier features such as People Detection, Door Detection and Image Descriptions to help users navigate their physical environment.
Apple Watch also has one handed gesture controls through Assistive Touch. It’s something we all can use. These important developments help us all.
DRONE PILOTS CAN KEEP FLYING AFTER JOE BIDEN’S VISIT WAS CANCELLED
Drone pilots are free to fly again this week in Sydney and Canberra following the cancellation of the Quad Leaders Summit.
A lot of people may not have been aware before the cancellation, significant airspace restrictions were put in place in and around the cities from 22-25 May 2023.
The Australian Government temporarily banned people from flying a drone or model aircraft – even one considered a toy, within:
- 28 km of Sydney Airport
- 21 km of Canberra Airport.
It’s wise to follow CASA’s advice and check with a CASA-verified drone safety app if you are cleared to fly. Do not assume it’s OK to fly.
