How to Add Custom Accessibility Actions to Android Apps with Java and Kotlin

Greetings fellow developers,

I’m Aaryan Kumar Andarpa, the Lead Developer at Tech-Freedom, and I’m here to champion the cause of accessibility in Android app development. Today, I want to shed light on a critical aspect of accessibility: custom accessibility actions. These actions are not merely an optional feature but a…

https://accessibleandroid.com/how-to-add-custom-accessibility-actions-to-android-apps-with-java-and-kotlin/

Instagram

Connect with friends, find other fans, and see what people around you are up to and into. Explore your interests and post what’s going on, from your daily moments to life’s highlights.

Details and Features

Share what you’re up to and into on Insta®.
Keep up with friends on the…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/instagram/

Following the latest updates and changes to WhatsApp, we have updated our accessibility notes to address the regression in usability with TalkBack. Please spread the word. https://accessibleandroid.com/app/whatsapp-messenger/

Samsung Accessibility API and framework34 review after 5months: The good, the bad and clarifications

Since Android 9 Pie, Google has made the accessibility framework and its APIs a part of the Android Open-source Project. This means that if developers or manufacturers want to, they can modify this side of Android, just like they modify many others. Some developers choose to leave it like that…

https://accessibleandroid.com/samsung-accessibility-api-and-framework34-review-after-5months-the-good-the-bad-and-clarifications/

Lookout – Assisted vision

Lookout uses computer vision and generative AI to assist people with low vision or blindness get things done faster and more easily.

Details

Using your phone’s camera, Lookout makes it easier to get more information about the world around you and do daily tasks more efficiently like reading text &…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/lookout-assisted-vision/

Partnership Update!
We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Tech Freedom, a versatile Android app designed to assist the blind community. It is now possible to access Accessible Android's posts directly within Tech Freedom's blogs tab.
As of now, users can read the ten most recent articles from Accessible Android. Future updates will enhance this feature, enabling access to a broader range of articles and providing the ability to share content on your favorite apps.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the VI developers for their ongoing collaboration and support in making this integration possible. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand our reach through various partnerships around the world.

Granular Editing Mode of the Jieshuo Screen Reader

It is a known fact that the Jieshuo screen reader extends beyond basic screen reading features in several areas. One of these areas is text editing with the “granular editing mode” feature. So, what is the granular editing mode? What does it contain? And how do you use it?

Table…

https://accessibleandroid.com/granular-editing-mode-of-the-jieshuo-screen-reader/

Gmail

The official Gmail app brings the best of Gmail to your Android phone or tablet with robust security, real-time notifications, multiple account support, and search that works across all your mail. Gmail is also available on Wear OS so you can stay productive and manage emails right from your wrist.…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/gmail/

FairEmail

Fully featured, privacy oriented email app

Details

FairEmail is easy to set up and works with virtually all email providers, including Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo!

FairEmail might be for you if you value your privacy. FairEmail is simple to use, but if you are looking for a very simple email…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/fairemail/

Jieshuo’s Time, Battery, Network, Location, and Lighting Announcement Functions

Jieshuo screen reader contains dedicated functions to announce time, battery level, network information, current location, and lighting conditions. Let’s take a look at these functions that are found in the Main Menu and can be assigned to gestures.

Table of Contents

- Current Time
- Speak Time and Battery Level…

https://accessibleandroid.com/jieshuos-time-battery-network-location-and-lighting-announcement-functions/

FUTO Voice Input

FUTO Voice Input is an application that adds voice input capabilities to your phone. It integrates with apps and keyboards that support the standard Android voice input APIs (ACTION_RECOGNIZE_SPEECH and Voice IME).

Details

All processing is done completely offline on your device, and your recordings are NEVER saved or sent…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/futo-voice-input/

Custom Symbol Definitions Feature of Jieshuo Screen Reader

Jieshuo screen reader offers a feature to change how punctuation marks or symbols are pronounced. This allows you For example, to use “full stop” instead of “period,” “number sign” instead of “hash,” etc. This feature is called Custom Symbol Definitions.

Table of Contents

- How to Use Custom Symbol Definitions…

https://accessibleandroid.com/custom-symbol-definitions-feature-of-jieshuo-screen-reader/

Device Info HW

Device Info HW is a hardware and software information app for Android devices.

It detects components of your smartphone to provide complete information about device’s hardware.

Now detection is supported for lcd, touchscreen, cameras, sensors, memory, flash, audio, nfc, charger, wi-fi and battery; if possible for your device.

The app…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/device-info-hw/

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Accessibility still Trails Innovation

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was released on January 31, 2024, and, as a flagship, represents the best of what Samsung has in store for users: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 gen 3 chipset, 7 years of software updates, titanium frame (grade 2), fully flat and less reflective display, glass front and…

https://accessibleandroid.com/samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-accessibility-still-trails-innovation/

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 Review

As an avid user of true wireless earbuds, I recently upgraded to the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 in the stylish new Green color. Having used the FreeBuds Pro 1 for two years, I was eager to see how the latest model compared, especially in terms of design, comfort, and performance.…

https://accessibleandroid.com/huawei-freebuds-pro-3-review/

PiccyBot Review: AI is There to Describe Your Videos, too

The AI image recognition and description field is demonstrating AI’s strength in transforming the lives of blind people, particularly with the increasing number of services and apps utilizing AI image service models for the convenience of blind users. Recently, a new image description app was introduced called PiccyBot. The app…

https://accessibleandroid.com/piccybot-review-ai-is-there-to-describe-your-videos-too/

Scanner Radio – Police Scanner

Listen to live audio from over 8,000 fire and police scanners, NOAA weather radio stations, ham radio repeaters, air traffic (ATC), and marine radios from around the world. Turn on notifications to receive alerts anytime a scanner has more than 2000 listeners (to find out about major events and breaking…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/scanner-radio-police-scanner/

Weather XL PRO

one of the best weather apps on the Play Store, recognized as one of the best for its accuracy, widget flexibility, and ease-of-use.

Details and Features

- Accurate and comprehensive weather forecasts for the next 10 days
- Hour-by-hour weather updates to help you plan your activities with precision
-…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/weather-xl-pro/

NetGuard – no-root firewall

NetGuard is an internet security app, which offers simple and advanced ways to restrict apps’ access to the internet.

Applications and addresses can individually be allowed or denied access to your Wi-Fi and/or mobile connection. Root permissions are not required.

Blocking access to the internet can help:

- reduce your…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/netguard-no-root-firewall/

Birday – Birthday Manager

Birday is an open source app to remember birthdays and events without having to open Facebook, set alarms or rely on Google Calendar. This app was created to remember and manage events in a simple and effective way.

Details and Features

The app contains some basic personalization options and an…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/birday-birthday-manager/

Spotlighting Some Accessibility Misconceptions Among Android App Developers

A screen reader-friendly app is a description we use for an application that can be used by blind people because their screen reader can identify its buttons and controls, read the information it displays, and interact with its options and features. Another term we use is “accessible,” meaning an app…

https://accessibleandroid.com/spotlighting-some-accessibility-misconceptions-among-android-app-developers/