Sony Europe’s Post

Envisioning a Barrier-Free World: Sony's Inclusive Design Strategy Shared from our friends at IAAP - International Association of Accessibility Professionals Sony is leading the way in inclusive design and accessibility. By 2025, they aim to integrate inclusive design into all product commercialization processes, ensuring universal usability for all. Key Highlights: Inclusive Design Policy: Implemented in 2022, targeting full integration by 2025. Employee Training: Over 1,000 hands-on and 50,000 digital training sessions conducted. Innovative Products: Features in TVs, cameras, smartphones, and the Access™ controller for PlayStation®5. Sony’s commitment extends beyond products to inclusive hiring practices, inspired by founder Masaru Ibuka. At Sony/Taiyo, over 60% of the workforce comprises persons with disabilities. Special thanks to Kenichiro Yoshida, Naoki Nomura, and Hiroshi Kawano for their leadership and dedication to this initiative. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecaTmq46 the valuable 500 #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #Sony

Last week during the WWDC, I had the opportunity to explore the Apple Vision Pro. It’s a device that’s not just about seeing differently—it’s about experiencing and interacting with the world in new ways. The Vision Pro offers limitless possibilities for creativity, productivity, and personal expression. Its ability to overlay digital information onto the physical world means we can bring ideas to life right before our eyes, transforming how we work, learn, and play. In terms of supporting disabilities, the Vision Pro’s adaptive features hint at a future where technology bridges gaps like never before. Simple gestures could allow for easy navigation for those with mobility challenges, while voice commands and haptic feedback could create a more inclusive experience for all users. #AppleVisionPro #WWDC #TechForGood #Accessibility

This week Apple announced the suspension of work on its high-end Vision Pro headset. As a first-generation spatial computer, the technology is very much still in beta. Its features and possibilities, however, are unmatched. The biggest outcome for users? Accessibility. With the staggering statistic that 1 in 4 Americans lives with a disability, prioritizing digital accessibility is a no-brainer. Not only is it the right thing to do, American Institutes for Research reports that people with disabilities have a purchasing power of around $490 billion. 💡 Designing with real accessibility in mind can be challenging, yet it is the key to unlocking equity, inclusion, and growth opportunities. As someone who enjoys watching companies harness the power of product adjacency, I am most intrigued when I see empowered individuals unlocking unintended, positive outcomes through a product's set of features. That’s why I enjoyed reading “I Know What the Apple Vision Pro Is For” by Andrew Leland. #AppleVisionPro is powerful #disabilitytech across speech, vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive aspects of the #accessibility spectrum. Instead of asking, “Who is this product for?”, let's uncover #possibilities that have the power to become life-changing. https://lnkd.in/gZtESZbk #innovation #futuretech #digitaltransformation #inclusivebydesign #equity #inclusion #digital #productinnovation #apple #visionpro #vr #ar

Hi connection....... The rapid evolution of technology we saw over the course of the pandemic is showing no signs of stopping, such is the need for continuous innovation among organisations of all industries to meet changing demands. But when it comes to usage of capabilities such as AI and communication platforms among wider society, inclusive technology design that takes factors such as prior experience, demographics and disabilities into account is vital to minimising barriers. In this article, we explore how technology design can be made more inclusive, to benefit everyone without exceptions. Accessibility by design When it comes to designing inclusive software and hardware, accessibility needs to be in mind from the outset. Dan Hastings, vice-president, TV/AV at Samsung Electronics UK, explained how working with external stakeholders can help with this. “Technology is first and foremost an enabler of new, exciting experiences and it’s important we all strive to deliver meaningful innovations that recognise the wide range of diverse needs and embrace the individuality of our customers,” said Hastings. “It’s easy to assume that people with visual and hearing impairments cannot watch TV, but many in fact rely heavily on screens to stay better connected to the world. “At Samsung, we work directly with individuals with disabilities and partners, such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), to improve accessibility of the technology and services we create – ensuring we provide equal viewing experiences to all our consumers. And this starts with design. Our 2021 TV lineup, for example, includes award-winning accessibility features such as Samsung’s See Colours app, which adjusts screen colours to enable those with colour vision deficiency (CVD) to see a full spectrum that they may not have seen before. Similarly, Samsung’s Audio (Video) Description feature opens up new experiences for people who previously couldn’t appreciate movies and series by providing verbal descriptions of the scene, in addition to the dialogue or commentary, to aid understanding. “These may seem like simple solutions, but to enable this technology we had to take a completely different approach to design, which starts with engineering the chip set. The response we’ve received from our customers so far has been incredible and we look to introduce many more accessibility features as we continue our commitment to offer every consumer a viewing experience without barriers #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

Apple has just announced a groundbreaking new feature called Eye Tracking for iPad and iPhone! This innovative capability harnesses the power of AI to enable users to navigate their devices simply by using their eyes. Specifically designed to enhance accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities, the feature utilizes the front-facing camera to swiftly set up and calibrate. One of the most impressive aspects of Eye Tracking is that it operates seamlessly without the need for any additional hardware or accessories. Users can effortlessly navigate through the various elements of apps and activate them using Dwell Control. This functionality allows users to perform actions such as pressing physical buttons, swiping, and executing other gestures—all with the power of their gaze. I find this technological advancement particularly inspiring because of its potential to significantly improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. By removing barriers to device interaction, Apple's Eye Tracking empowers users to engage more fully with their devices and the digital world around them. Stay tuned with me for the latest updates in technology! #AI #technology #Apple #EyeTracking #accessibility

Apple has released a series of innovative accessibility features for people with disabilities, once again demonstrating the value concept of "technology for good". The most eye-catching one is undoubtedly the "eye tracking" function, which allows physically disabled users to easily control iPhone and iPad, browse web pages, launch apps, and complete various gesture operations just by using their eyes. This black technology that uses the front camera + machine learning turns the eyes into a pair of dexterous "hands". In addition, "Tactile Music" allows deaf users to feel the rhythm of music with touch; "Voice Control Shortcut Command" supports user-defined voice commands, which greatly improves the digital experience of users with speech impairment; "Voice Control Shortcut Command" is designed for people with motion sickness. Vehicle dynamic tips "smartly use visual motion effects to reduce discomfort... There are also many barrier-free designs and personalized options for the visually impaired and hearing impaired.

Apple's latest updates enhance accessibility with several new features. Eye Tracking allows users to navigate their iPhone and iPad using just their eyes, while Music Haptics lets Deaf or hard-of-hearing users feel music through vibrations. Vocal Shortcuts and Listen for Atypical Speech improve speech recognition, and Vehicle Motion Cues help reduce motion sickness for passengers using iPhones and iPads in moving vehicles. CarPlay now includes Voice Control, Color Filters, and Sound Recognition for better accessibility. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, notes, “For nearly 40 years, Apple has championed inclusive design by embedding accessibility at the core of our hardware and software.” Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, adds, “These features will impact the lives of many users, offering new ways to communicate and interact with their devices.” These innovations underscore Apple's commitment to making technology more accessible and inclusive for everyone! For more information, please click this link: https://lnkd.in/e3wDPGvi Image Description: The image depicts a person with a disability seated in a wheelchair, positioned at an adjustable desk. They are using an iPad equipped with eye-tracking technology. The top portion of the image displays a blue box filled with various app icons, while the bottom right corner features a small Apple logo. #VisitAble #VisitAbleCertification #disability #accessibility #promote #improve #empower #design #inclusion #InclusiveDesign #Blind #blindness #advocate #apple #tech

Apple vs. Samsung: The Art Showdown Everyone’s Talking About Apple and Samsung have gone head-to-head in the battle of brand advertisements! It all began with Apple's controversial "iPad Pro crush" ad, which depicted a hydraulic press crushing various objects, including musical instruments, an arcade game, and more. While intended to showcase the power and compactness of their latest iPad, the ad faced backlash for its perceived insensitivity and disregard for the impact of technology on human creativity. Apple swiftly admitted that their ad had "missed the mark," while Samsung took the opportunity to make some creative waves. 🌐🎯 In their cleverly crafted counter-ad, Samsung's spot features a woman amidst the aftermath of Apple's crushed objects. As she picks up a broken guitar, she starts playing a beautiful tune while reading the music off a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 tablet. The ad's tagline, "Creativity cannot be crushed," is a powerful message that reminds us of the boundless human imagination that technology simply enhances. The "ad war" between Apple and Samsung shows that innovation and creativity drive technology. Both companies aim to show how their goods empower and improve daily life. 🚀💪 What do you think of this brand ad war? Discuss how technology and creativity interact. Team Apple or Samsung? Comment your thoughts below! #AdWar #AppleVsSamsung #BrandAdvertisements #TechnologyAndCreativity #Apple #Samsung #AD

Is #AppleVisionPro accessible? The Apple Vision Pro emerges as a pioneering device, setting a new benchmark in accessibility for the blind and low vision community. It marries sleek design with practical functionality, offering a premium user experience that prioritizes comfort without compromising on style. ➡️ At the core of the Apple Vision Pro's innovative approach to accessibility is VoiceOver, a feature that introduces a novel way of navigation through pinch gestures. This adaptive feature, while necessitating a learning curve, promises to streamline the interaction for users with vision impairments. Additionally, the device's Zoom capability, adjustable via the digital crown, stands out as a crucial tool for magnifying text, making digital content more accessible than ever. ➡️ A standout feature of the Vision Pro is its Pointer Control, which enables interaction through simple movements of the head, wrist, or index finger. This adaptability, coupled with Dwell Control, offers a revolutionary way to navigate the interface, tailoring the experience to individual user preferences and needs. Such innovations ensure that users can enjoy a more intuitive and customized interaction with their device. ➡️ The introduction of Voice Control underscores the Vision Pro's dedication to accessibility, allowing users to execute commands and navigate the system effortlessly through voice alone. This eliminates the barriers posed by physical interaction, further democratizing access to technology for individuals with diverse abilities. 🚨 The Bottom Line: It is Transforming Accessibility As we round up insights from first hand experiences, the Apple Vision Pro's extensive range of accessibility options redefinesthe tech landscape for the blind and low vision community. From vision loss to motor impairments, the device's settings cater to a broad spectrum of needs, heralding a future where advanced technology is truly accessible to all. #LetsEnvision #PerceivePossibilities #AssistiveTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence

It's National Selfie Day! 📸 We know what you're thinking: why does an eLearning supplier celebrate a day like this? Well, we'll let you in on a secret: this company, including the writer of this post, is actually run by real people. And all those people have mobile phones - regardless of their generation. The same as you, then! We all take selfies, and we've probably all got a favourite angle, lens or filter too. Mine's 'standard', for what it's worth. And my favourite flavour of ice cream is vanilla too, before you ask. Don't judge me. Anyway, since it's National Selfie Day (and as we've pointed out, we're a learning company), let's give you some selfie facts: 🔵 The first recorded usage of the word 'Selfie' was on an Aussie internet forum in 2002 🔵 A year later, Sony Ericsson released the Z1010, a mobile phone with the first front-facing camera 🔵 It wasn't until the iPhone 4 and HTC Evo 4G in 2010 that the 'selfie' camera reached the smartphone market 🔵 The first known self-portrait by camera was taken by Robert Cornelius, an American photography pioneer back in 1839. How? He used an improvised camera obscura. And quite the dapper chap, he was. 🔵 It's estimated that 92 MILLION selfies are taken every day, worldwide Here are just some of them, courtesy of the iAM team. Please share yours in the comments below to help us celebrate National Selfie Day! 📸🤳🏻 #nationalselfieday #selfie #learning