A Secret Stocking-Stuffer Summit: Google TalkBack, Samsung TalkBack, and Jieshuo’s Christmas Confession

It’s another silent, snowy December night within a secret digital den lit by shimmering code-lights and pixel-wreaths. Three infamous Android screen readers—Google TalkBack, Samsung TalkBack, and Jieshuo—have assembled to share virtual eggnog and relish their year’s work of confounding users. The trio stands together: a rogues’ gallery of partial features,…

https://accessibleandroid.com/a-secret-stocking-stuffer-summit-google-talkback-samsung-talkback-and-jieshuos-christmas-confession/

Understanding Audio Ducking on Android: TalkBack, Jieshuo, and Operating System Challenges

Audio ducking, a feature that lowers the volume of background audio when screen reader speech occurs, is a crucial accessibility tool for visually impaired users. While Android’s native screen reader, TalkBack, has a straightforward implementation, Jieshuo (also known as CSR) provides enhanced flexibility for users who seek more control. This…

https://accessibleandroid.com/understanding-audio-ducking-on-android-talkback-jieshuo-and-operating-system-challenges/

Google Play Store Reviews: Tinsel, Tantrums, and Techie Tales

As the holiday season rolls around, the Google Play Store transforms into a virtual Christmas bazaar of apps—some as delightful as a mug of hot cocoa by the fireplace, others as puzzling as an ornamented cactus in the middle of your living room. But beyond the apps themselves lies a…

https://accessibleandroid.com/google-play-store-reviews-tinsel-tantrums-and-techie-tales/

Functions Menu of the Jieshuo Screen Reader

The Jieshuo screen reader’s functions menu is a feature that includes tools primarily related to text selection and editing, as well as text and image recognition. By default, the menu is assigned to the “swipe up, then right with one finger” gesture. It is also accessible from the Main Menu…

https://accessibleandroid.com/functions-menu-of-the-jieshuo-screen-reader/

The Tornado Chicken

The Tornado Chicken is a fast-paced, endless runner audio game designed specifically for blind players. Step into the feathery shoes of a daring chicken as you navigate through a world full of unpredictable obstacles and challenges.

details

In this immersive audio experience, you’ll be picking up items while skillfully blocking…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/the-tornado-chicken/

A Beginner’s Guide to Volume Control on Android

Managing the volume on an Android device is a fundamental aspect that every user should understand. Android organizes audio into several distinct channels, each with its own independent volume control. This beginner’s guide introduces the various audio channels on Android and how to manage them effectively.

Table of Contents

-…

https://accessibleandroid.com/a-beginners-guide-to-volume-control-on-android/

Translate subtitles for videos (Lingvotube)

Lingvotube allows you to translate subtitles for videos and video CC (closed captions) to many languages to auto-generate real voice overs. This subtitle translator player app helps you convert video subtitles into your favorite languages and learn new languages by listening to voice overs or translations. Practice your speaking, reading,…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/translate-subtitles-for-videos-lingvotube/

Accessible Android 2024: A Year in Numbers

As we wrap up 2024, it’s time to reflect on an incredible year for Accessible Android. Thanks to our amazing community, this year has been one of growth, connection, and impact. Let’s dive into the numbers that defined our journey.

Table of Contents

- Website Milestones
- Community Engagement
-…

https://accessibleandroid.com/accessible-android-2024-a-year-in-numbers/

Google TTS Update: High-Quality Voices, Hidden Features, and Lingering Mysteries

On December 10, 2024, Google TTS, officially branded as Speech Recognition & Synthesis on the Play Store, rolled out its latest update: V20241125.02_p2.702443970. This release introduces a significant upgrade for accessibility users—new high-quality voices for US English, at the time of this writing. While previous high-quality voices had limitations, the…

https://accessibleandroid.com/google-tts-update-high-quality-voices-hidden-features-and-lingering-mysteries/

Updated to reflect the latest changes: From VoiceOver on iOS to TalkBack on Android: Major Differences and Anomalies Visually Impaired Users should Expect https://accessibleandroid.com/from-voiceover-on-ios-to-talkback-on-android-major-differences-and-anomalies-visually-impaired-users-should-expect/

Update: In addition to actions on messages, actions are now also available in the chat list on WhatsApp as of beta version 2.25.1.11. The actions include Open Chat, Select item and show toolbar for bulk actions, add chat shortcut, view contact, delete chat, add to list, archive chat, lock chat, mute notifications, pin chat, and mark as unread

Seal

Seal lets you Download videos and audio files from video platforms supported by yt-dlp

Features

- Embed metadata and video thumbnail into extracted audio files
- Download all videos in the playlist with one click
- Use embedded aria2c as external downloader for all your downloads
- Embed subtitles into…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/seal/

File Manager by File Manager Plus

“File Manager” by “File Manager Plus” is a file management app as its name suggest, and happens to be one of those classes that we literally have hundreds of apps in that class.
Now and then, however, there’s a gem, even in this crowded space and “File Manager Plus” happens…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/file-manager-by-file-manager-plus/

How to Use Samsung’s Separate App Sound Feature

If your phone is connected to a Bluetooth audio device to stream audio, especially to a Bluetooth speaker, you might not want everyone to hear what your screen reader is saying. Or, you might prefer that your screen reader’s speech doesn’t interfere with the audio being played. For such situations,…

https://accessibleandroid.com/how-to-use-samsungs-separate-app-sound-feature/

Accessibility Update:
After lots of back and forth with OpenAI and several emails, the latest ChatGPT beta for Android (V1.2025.007) has finally fixed many accessibility issues!
Screen reader users can now access Camera, Microphone, and Screen Sharing options in the Advanced Voice window.
Proper window scrolling and Explore by Touch now work smoothly in the main ChatGPT window.
The edit box no longer disappears after the first chat exchange when using TalkBack.

Dolphin Emulator

Dolphin is an emulator for the GameCube and Wii video game systems.

The official Dolphin Emulator beta version is updated regularly with the latest improvements to our software.

THIS APP DOES NOT COME WITH GAMES. You must own and acquire your own games to use them with Dolphin.

Dolphin Emulator…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/dolphin-emulator/

Nova Launcher

Nova Launcher is a powerful, customizable, and versatile home screen replacement. Nova brings advanced features to enhance your home screens, but still remains a great, user-friendly choice for everyone. Whether you want to completely overhaul your home screens or are looking for a cleaner, faster home launcher, Nova is the…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/nova-launcher/

My Eye – AI Powered lens

My Eye: Unlock the World Through AI-Powered Vision

Step into a world of possibilities with My Eye, an innovative app crafted to empower blind and visually impaired users by delivering detailed, real-time visual information. Harnessing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, My Eye transforms your smartphone into a powerful tool for exploring and…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/my-eye-ai-powered-lens/

Duckstation

DuckStation is a simulator/emulator of the Sony PlayStation™ / PSX / PS1 console, focusing on playability, speed, and long-term maintainability. The goal is to be as accurate as possible while maintaining high performance.

A “BIOS” ROM image is required to start the emulator and to play games. A ROM image…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/duckstation/

Colibrio Reader

The Colibrio Reader is an implementation of the Colibrio Reader Framework, the most advanced development framework for building digital reading systems.

Colibrio Reader supports all of the features in EPUB3, including:

- Talking Books (Media Overlays)
- Interactivity (Scripting)
- Reflowable and Fixed Layout
- Text to Speech
- Bookmarks…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/colibrio-reader/

Google Lookout: Current Offerings and the Untapped Potential for a Blind Essential Toolbox

In May 2018, a Google blog post introduced Lookout, a new app designed to help visually impaired users explore their surroundings. The announcement generated waves of excitement among blind Android users, but it took over a year for the app to become available on the Play Store. Fast forward to…

https://accessibleandroid.com/google-lookout-current-offerings-and-the-untapped-potential-for-a-blind-essential-toolbox/