New in iOS 8: Improved Guided Access with Timers and Touch ID Integration

New in iOS 8: Improved Guided Access with Timers and Touch ID Integration

Glow Serly    September 19, 2014    Comment   

Guided Access is one of the many iOS features being enhanced in iOS 8. Guided Access is used to keep a someone on a single app using  a password. For example, if you want your child to read a book and not watch a video you can lock them into the reading app, eliminating the ability to navigate to other apps. With Guided Access enabled, a child or student will need a passcode in order to enter another app. To learn more about Guided Access click here.

One of the enhancement allows users to end a Guided Access session with their finger print using Touch ID. Similar to how third-party developers can implement Touch ID authentication, Guided Access will also take advantage of finger print reading technology. Instead of entering a passcode, users with a Touch ID enabled device will be able to end the session simply by placing their finger on the Touch ID sensor. This feature will simplify the processes of ending Guided Access and potentially eliminate the frustration resulting in forgotten passcodes.

The other enhancement allows students and parents to set a time limit. After the time expires the app will not respond until the correct passcode or finger print is entered. Periodically a small message appears showing how much time is remaining. This feature could be perfect for test taking by ensuring students stop answering questions after the allotted time expires, or for setting a time limit for playing games- when the time limit is reached, the app will not respond.

To enable Guided Access navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Guided Access.

Reminder: Apple to Preview "The Future of iOS and OS X" Tomorrow

Reminder: Apple to Preview "The Future of iOS and OS X" Tomorrow

Glow Serly    Juni 09, 2013    Comment   

Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) starts Monday June 10th. At the event Apple will detail "the future of iOS and OS X." Apple is a leader in integrated accessibility with their VoiceOver screen reader and numerous other accessibility features such as Guided Access, Speak Selection, Zoom, and Assistive Touch. That being said Apple still needs to improve their accessibility features to remain a leader. New accessibility features have routinely been added to new versions of iOS. Last year, Apple added Guided Access along with other accessibility improvements. A new version of iOS is exciting not only because of the cool mainstream features but the lesser known, but no less important accessibility features that make the devices usable for so many. Make sure to visit The Assistive Technology Blog after the Keynote for all the iOS 7 and OS X accessibility news.

In the meantime check out my iOS 7 Wish List video below.

Use Guided Access for iOS to Safely Lend Your Phone to Friends

Use Guided Access for iOS to Safely Lend Your Phone to Friends

Glow Serly    April 21, 2013    Comment   

Has someone ever asked to borrow your iPhone to call home, but then went through your personal information? Hopefully not, but it has happened to many kind-hearted phone lenders. Luckily using the built in Guided Access feature you can hand over your phone with less worry. Guided Access is designed as an accessibility feature but can be used by everyone. To learn more about Guided Access click here. Even with this feature use caution and common sense when lending your phone to people.

To get started, go to "settings" then "general" and then "accessibility". Guided Access is only avalible in iOS 6. In the accessibility menu go to Guided Access and turn it on. Then you will have to set a passcode. Make sure you remember your passcode. Now when you want to lend your phone to someone go to the app you want them to use and triple click the home button to start Guided Access. After turning on Guided Access no one will be able to access any other app without knowing your passcode. When you get your phone back just triple click the home button again and type in your passcode to unlock your phone. Watch the video above to learn more.

What is Guided Access?

What is Guided Access?

Glow Serly    September 25, 2012    Comment   

Apple's new iPhone 5 and iOS 6 are out and include many new accessibility features. One of the biggest accessibility features of iOS 6 is called Guided Access. iOS 6 is the operating system that runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. To enable Guided Access go to Setting > General > Accessibility > Guided Access. Guided Access allows an parent or teacher to restrict access to a single app. This restricts kids from switch apps to watch videos or play games. Guided Access also allows parents and teachers to block off individual buttons within an app. For example if an app have setting a teacher could block it off so the students could not change app settings. Guided Access is great for teachers, users with autism or users with ADD. Guided Access allows teachers to administer tests on the iPad without worrying about students looking up the answers on the internet.

Watch the above video to learn how to use Guided Access. Click read more below to view more videos of Guided Access.

iOS 6 Released, Download Now

iOS 6 Released, Download Now

Glow Serly    September 19, 2012    Comment   

Apple has released iOS 6 with over 200 new features as a free upgrade. iOS is the operating system that runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Included in the 200 features are new accessibility features. Among the new features are Guided Access, Speak Selection with highlighting and VoiceOver enhancements. To upgrade go to settings > general > software update. Watch the above video to learn how to update to iOS 6. iOS 6 is available for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 2, the new iPad, iPod Touch 4th generation and iPod Touch 5th generation.

To learn more about the accessibility features of iOS 6 click here. To view images of iOS 6 in action click read more below.

  

iOS 6 To Be Released on September 19th With New Accessibility Features

iOS 6 To Be Released on September 19th With New Accessibility Features

Glow Serly    September 12, 2012    Comment   

Today, Apple announced that iOS 6, the software that runs iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, will be released on September 19th. The free software update will include new accessibility features such as Guided Access, Speak Selection with highlighting and improved Siri. Click here to learn more about Guided Access. iOS 6 will also include Made For iPhone Hearing Aids which allow hearing aid users to better use the iPhone. Along with accessibility improvements iOS 6 includes an updated maps app and more.

Click read more below to view more images of iOS 6 from Apple.

iOS 6, iPhone 5 and iPad Mini Expected In Coming Weeks

iOS 6, iPhone 5 and iPad Mini Expected In Coming Weeks

Glow Serly    Agustus 23, 2012    Comment   

Apple is widely rumored to be preparing to release a new iPhone, an all new smaller iPad Mini and iOS 6 with numerous accessibility improvements.

iOS 6: iOS 6 has been previewed by Apple at WWDC and will be released this fall. iOS 6 includes over 200 new features including new accessibility features such as Guided Access and word highlights with speak selection. iOS is the operating system that runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Guided Access will allow teachers and parents to lock the child into a single app and control what features of the app the child could use.

iPhone 5: Unlike iOS 6 the iPhone 5 has not been confirmed by Apple. But according to leaks and past history it is likely that the iPhone will be coming out it mid September. The iPhone 5 is likely to have a larger screen, a better camera and a faster processor.  

iPad Mini: Like the iPhone 5 the iPad Mini has not be confirmed by Apple. The iPad Mini is rumored to have smaller screen than the current iPad. The smaller size will allow Apple to lower the price compared to the iPad. If the rumors are correct the iPad Mini will be perfect for schools.

iOS 6: Guided Access Accessibility Feature

iOS 6: Guided Access Accessibility Feature

Glow Serly    Juni 25, 2012    Comment   

Apple's upcoming iOS 6 software update for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch will include a great accessibility feature called Guided Access. Guided Access will allow teachers and parents to control their children's device usage. For example, you will be able to lock app controls such as settings. This will ensure that children will not change settings or use distracting features. This feature will benefit people with autism. Guided Access will also allow teachers to give tests on the iPad or iPhone and ensure that the students will not be able to search for the answers or exit the test app. Guided Access will allow museums to use iPads as displays without worrying about people changing to another app.

iOS 6 will be released in the fall. To learn more about iOS 6 click here.