Accessible Android
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Welcome to the official accessibleandroid.com channel! Stay updated with the freshest news, tips, app insights, and device reviews directly from our website. Join us for all things Android accessibility!
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The new release of Seeing AI for Android can now describe videos. Share an MP4 file with Seeing AI, and hear it described, scene-by-scene.
Please note that currently, the app only supports videos in mp4 format. Users can describe up to 10 videos daily, with the quota resetting at 12:00 AM local time each day.
Other features include:
Recognizing PDF documents.
After tapping "More Info" to get a rich description of an image, you can now ask questions on the same screen.
On the Product channel, both barcodes and Enhanced QR codes can now be recognized at the same time.
Plus, various bug fixes.
How to Identify and Add Labels to Unlabeled Elements in TalkBack and Jieshuo Screen Readers

As a blind user, you might find an app that seems interesting. However, after installing and opening it, you discover that you can’t figure out what each button or control does. Proper labeling of UI elements by app developers is essential for screen readers to enable blind users to understand…

https://accessibleandroid.com/how-to-identify-and-add-labels-to-unlabeled-elements-in-talkback-and-jieshuo-screen-readers/
SpeakUp AI – Text to Speech

Don’t let the title of this app mislead you into thinking that this is a regular text-to-speech engine. In other words, this is not a system-wide TTS engine, instead, this is like most of the “text-to-voice” readers; that is, e-Readers that you find on the Play Store.
Speakup AI Text-To-Speech…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/speakup-ai-text-to-speech/
What’s New in Jieshuo 20241108: Offline OCR Overhaul & AI Enhancements

Jieshuo (formerly known as Commentary Screen Reader or CSR), the popular Android screen reader for the visually impaired, has rolled out its latest update: version 20241108. This release introduces a series of improvements and new features, with a major focus on enhancing offline OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities.

Table of…

https://accessibleandroid.com/whats-new-in-jieshuo-20241108-offline-ocr-overhaul-ai-enhancements/
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Quick Tip: How To Stop Your Battery From Draining When Using Jieshuo Screen Reader

When you set up the Jieshuo screen reader for the first time, you may be asked to disable battery optimization for the app. The downside is that this can cause your battery to drain more quickly when Jieshuo is enabled. Although the screen reader has its own power-saving feature, it…

https://accessibleandroid.com/quick-tip-how-to-stop-your-battery-from-draining-when-using-jieshuo-screen-reader/
An Overview of the Camera Types Found on Android Smartphones

With advancements in smartphone technology, today’s Android phones come equipped with multiple cameras, each serving a unique purpose. Understanding the role of each camera can help capture the best photos and videos, whether it’s a stunning landscape, a detailed close-up, or the perfect selfie.

As a blind person, you may…

https://accessibleandroid.com/an-overview-of-the-camera-types-found-on-android-smartphones/
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Video Description and Icon Detection Functions in Jieshuo Screen Reader

After a recent collaboration between the Jieshuo screen reader developer and VIVO to integrate the Blue Heart AI LLM into Jieshuo, driving the AI image description, icon detection, and inquire-by-voice functions, the daily limit on the number of recognitions has been lifted. This collaboration also introduced a new feature to…

https://accessibleandroid.com/video-description-and-icon-detection-functions-in-jieshuo-screen-reader/
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What’s New in TalkBack 15.1

Google has started rolling out TalkBackversion 15.1. The rollout is gradual, so it might take some time before the update reaches your device. Here’s what’s new in this version.

Table of Contents

- Extended Reading Controls
- Improvements to Opening Links
- Manual Text and Icon Detection Restored
- Enhanced…

https://accessibleandroid.com/whats-new-in-talkback-15-1/
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foobar2000

The music player list is very large and there are as many music players out there. Some better than others, each of them falling into categories for listener taste and preference: Foobar2000 is one such player with the most advanced customization arsenal and the power user in mind.

Play Store…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/foobar2000/
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MyTherapy Pill Reminder

This pill reminder app reliably reminds you to take your tablets, pills, and other medication, vitamins, or supplements at the scheduled time. With the medication tracker and pill counter, you always have a good overview of your treatment, your recorded intakes, and your stock.

Details

You can schedule reminders to…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/mytherapy-pill-reminder/
How to Boot into Download and Recovery Modes on Samsung Devices Running Android 11 and Higher Without Using a PC

As you may probably know, Samsung phones, just like all the other phones and devices, have special startup modes:
Recovery mode, where you can clear cache, factory wipe your phone, repair apps (defragmentation), and even install custom software; and Fastboot mode/Download mode (Samsung), where technicians, or even you, can flash…

https://accessibleandroid.com/how-to-boot-into-download-and-recovery-modes-on-samsung-devices-running-android-11-and-higher-without-using-a-pc/
Android Accessibility Progress Report: What’s Changed (and What Hasn’t) Since Spring 2024

Back in March 2024, I penned an ambitious “Blueprint for Google” to revolutionize Android accessibility in ten areas that, let’s be honest, were desperately in need of some TLC. It’s been quite a few months since then, and with great anticipation (and perhaps a smidge of wishful thinking), I’ve been…

https://accessibleandroid.com/android-accessibility-progress-report-whats-changed-and-what-hasnt-since-spring-2024/
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Samsung Android Accessibility Framework 34.1.1 Highlights: Paid a Buck, I Sit in Front; Couldn’t Pay, I’m Stuck in Time

When I posted my article about Samsung’s accessibility framework after One UI 6.1 was released—a framework that continually improves—I ended the article with a note. I hoped that Samsung would update all devices with the new framework in One UI 6.1.1. Fast forward to November 2024: One UI 6.1.1 is…

https://accessibleandroid.com/samsung-android-accessibility-framework-34-1-1-highlights-paid-a-buck-i-sit-in-front-couldnt-pay-im-stuck-in-time/
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Power Management Settings in Jieshuo Screen Reader

In order for a screen reader to function properly, it should be given the privilege to operate in the background freely without being restricted by system battery optimization mechanisms.
However, at the same time, the screen reader shouldn’t be a battery hog. Jieshuo screen reader dedicates a section of its…

https://accessibleandroid.com/power-management-settings-in-jieshuo-screen-reader/
Startpage

The Play Store is replete with browsers of all sorts from developers across the globe. Some are great and some are so-so!
Startpage on the other hand, is a great, simplistic and well-thought-out app.
Startpage is both a browser and a search engine.

Play Store Description:

Rocket into the future…

https://accessibleandroid.com/app/startpage/
Good news for Public Radio fans.
The latest update to the NPR app has made it accessible and usable. The app used to be almost impossible to navigate, and both TalkBack and Jieshuo would freeze while attempting to move around its news articles or program segments. However, the latest release has effectively resolved the glitch.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.npr.android.news&hl=en_US
Comparing Video Description Features: Seeing AI vs. PiccyBot

There is no doubt about how important describing images is for blind users. However, being able to hear descriptions of videos is equally important. Video descriptions can be more challenging, though, as the description service needs to establish a connection between scenes to provide meaningful context. With the rapid advancements…

https://accessibleandroid.com/comparing-video-description-features-seeing-ai-vs-piccybot/
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VRadio, one of the most accessible and user-friendly radio apps on Android, is currently unavailable on the Google Play Store. The developer is working to bring it back as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can download the app from the official website using the link below https://vradio.app/files/com.ilv.vradio_90207002.apk
Accessible Android Investigates: Do Google Apps for Android Have Accessibility Actions?

Google—arguably the heart and soul of Android—offers a plethora of apps that dominate our productivity, entertainment, and navigation needs. But how well do these apps cater to users who rely on screen readers? Specifically, how many of Google’s 17 major Android apps utilize Accessibility Actions—a feature designed to make app…

https://accessibleandroid.com/accessible-android-investigates-do-google-apps-for-android-have-accessibility-actions/
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