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Your iPhone is getting these useful features with iOS 26 - including a big AI one
Ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference 2025 today, the company unveiled a series of new features coming with the new operating system versions, including iOS, MacOS, iPadOS, and WatchOS. This was in tandem with Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16, with Apple previewing more than a dozen accessibility features across its product line that will be available later this year.
And these are significant upgrades, from a Magnifier for the Mac to Accessibility Nutrition Labels in the App Store.
Magnifier for Mac
The Magnifier for Mac will work with Continuity Camera on the iPhone as well as with attached USB cameras. The Magnifier app will connect to your camera so you can zoom in on your surroundings. For instance, you can point a document to your Mac's camera and read easily on a bigger screen. The app will allow you to add customized views, adjust brightness, contrast, and more. You can also save your Views or group them for a more organized look.
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Accessibility Nutrition Labels
Apple will introduce a new Accessibility Nutrition Labels section to App Store product pages. These labels will highlight accessibility features within apps and games to better inform users about their downloads.
Another new feature, Braille Access, will add a full-featured braille note taker that the company describes as "deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem." You'll be able to take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille.
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Another impressive new feature is Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), which will let you control your devices without any physical movement.
More accessibility features
Here's a rundown of 12 more accessibility features coming to your Apple devices:
- Accessibility Reader will debut as a new systemwide reading mode on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. It is designed to make text easier to read for people with a wide range of disabilities, like dyslexia or low vision. Users will be able to customize text font, color, contrast, and more to make the content more readable
- Live Captions on Apple Watch will help those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This feature will turn their iPhone into a remote microphone to stream content directly to AirPods, Made for iPhone hearing aids, or Beats headphones.
- Enhanced View on Vision Pro will expand everything in view, including the surroundings. It is built for those who struggle with low vision.
- Personal Voice will create a voice in under a minute using 10 phrases, thanks to on-device machine learning and AI.
- Background Sounds will let you easily personalize with new EQ settings to help minimize distractions and increase focus.
- Vehicle Motion Cues, a feature made to reduce motion sickness, is now coming to Mac.
- Eye Tracking will enable iPhone and iPad users to use a switch or Dwell to make selections.
- Head Tracking improvements will allow you to control your iPhone and iPad more easily.
- Assistive Access will be added to the Apple TV app to create a better experience for users with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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- Name Recognition will be added to Sound Recognition so users who are deaf or hard of hearing can hear when their name is called. Sound Recognition will also be part of CarPlay, so drivers or passengers who struggle with hearing can now be notified of the sound of a crying baby.
- Voice Control and Live Captions will expand to add support for more languages.
- Apple will allow users to share their accessibility settings with another iPhone or iPad.
Apple has announced these in advance of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 16. The new accessibility features are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year.
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