The future of accessibility: How Apple and Google are changing the game

Technology should make life easier for everyone, but digital accessibility hasn’t always been a top priority in development.

Fortunately, that is changing as Apple and Google introduce groundbreaking features that make smartphones more inclusive. Whether you experience hearing loss or have low vision, these updates can completely transform how you use your phone. And that also creates new opportunities for developing your website or app.

Apple’s Accessibility Features

Apple leads the way with Eye Tracking: an incredible new feature that lets you control your iPhone or iPad using only your eyes. Whether you’re opening apps, scrolling through social media, or typing messages, this is revolutionary for people with limited mobility.

For music lovers, there’s Music Haptics, a feature that converts sound into vibrations via the iPhone’s Taptic Engine. This allows deaf and hard-of-hearing users to feel the rhythm of their favorite songs.

Vocal Shortcuts lets users create personalized voice commands for Siri, making it even easier to perform daily tasks hands-free.

Accessibility on Google Android

Google is keeping up with major improvements in Android 15.One of the updates is LE Audio support for hearing aids, enabling faster pairing and crystal-clear sound for hands-free calls, for example.

For users who rely on Braille, Android now supports interaction between smartphones and Bluetooth Braille Displays, making smartphone use significantly easier than before.
Another huge advancement for blind and visually impaired users is AI-powered image descriptions. Thanks to Google’s advanced AI, TalkBack can now generate detailed descriptions of images, making digital content more accessible. This also saves a lot of time for content creators writing alt text.

The Future Is Inclusive

These new features are a major step forward for inclusivity. For millions of people worldwide, smartphones are more than just gadgets—they are essential tools. The more accessible they become, the more people can stay connected and independent.

Get Started!

That said, as a content creator or web developer, you have work to do as well. Your website must be technically capable of supporting these features. And don’t forget that inclusivity should always be at the core of your online applications. Consider a clear interface, highly readable text, and alternative navigation methods.

Accessibility is no longer an optional add-on – it’s an essential part of web design and content strategy. By embracing these developments now, you’ll make your content future-proof and accessible to a broader and more diverse audience.