Just recently, Apple confirmed the dates for this year’s WWDC aka Worldwide Developers Conference. The Cupertino based tech giant will be hosting the conference from June 8 – 12 this year. And now, ahead of the much-awaited event, the company has just announced a number of accessibility features coming across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro ecosystem later this year. Apple also says that many of these updates are powered by Apple Intelligence, its on-device AI system that focuses heavily on privacy and personalisation.
Accessibility has long been one of Apple’s strongest focus areas, and these announcements look like they are trying to show how AI is now being integrated into everyday assistive tools instead of existing as a separate feature. From more intelligent VoiceOver controls to automatically generated subtitles for videos, Apple is clearly positioning AI as a way to make its devices easier to use for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at all the features that have been announced.
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Apple started off with a feature for those who are blind or have limited vision. VoiceOver and Magnifier just got AI superpowers, thanks to Apple Intelligence. The new Image Explorer feature lets VoiceOver provide much more detailed descriptions of images, documents, bills, and photos across the system. Users can also ask follow-up questions in natural language to get additional context about what is visible on screen or through the camera viewfinder.
As for Magnifier, it is becoming more conversational. Users will be able to ask spoken questions, zoom in using voice commands, or activate tools like the flashlight hands-free. Apple says these features are designed to work with the iPhone’s Action button for quicker access.
Another important AI-powered upgrade has been added to Voice Control. Now, instead of memorising exact button names or interface labels, users need to just describe what they see on screen in natural language.
For example, someone could say “tap the purple folder” or “open the guide about best restaurants,” and the system would understand the request. Apple says this should especially help users navigate apps that may not have been properly optimised for accessibility.
For users with dyslexia or other reading disabilities, there are upgrades to the Accessibility Reader. The updated version can now better handle complex layouts such as scientific articles with multiple columns, images, and tables. In addition to this, users will also be able to generate AI-powered summaries before reading a long article. And this isn’t all, built-in translation support is also being added, allowing text to appear in a user’s preferred language while preserving formatting and styling.
Another big announcement is automatically generated subtitles for videos that do not already include captions.
Apple says the feature will work for personal videos, clips shared by friends and family, and even online streams. Subtitles are generated directly on-device using speech recognition, which means the process stays private. The feature is coming to iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.
The Apple Vision Pro is a futuristic gadget, there is no doubt about that. And that too has been updated with a feature that can be a game changer for those on wheelchairs. Well, compatible wheelchairs.
Apple says users with compatible alternative wheelchair drive systems will be able to control power wheelchairs using Vision Pro’s eye-tracking technology. The company claims the headset’s eye tracking works reliably in different lighting conditions and does not require frequent recalibration. Initial support will include Tolt and LUCI drive systems in the US.
Pat Dolan, founder of GeoALS and a member of Team Gleason’s advisory board, described the feature as “life-enhancing technology” for users who depend on power wheelchairs.
Alongside the software updates, Apple also announced wider availability for the Hikawa Grip & Stand accessory for iPhone. Designed with accessibility in mind, the MagSafe accessory was created in collaboration with people with disabilities affecting grip, mobility, and strength. It is now launching globally in three new colours through the Apple Store.
Apple is expected to share more AI-focused announcements during WWDC next month. Keep watching this space for more such updates.
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