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The small size of cell phones can make them difficult to read and interact with, yet an ever-increasing number of tasks require us to do so. Existing tools like increasing the font size or changing the color contrast can help, but they don't fully solve the problem, so Google is introducing a Page Zoom feature focused on web browsing.
When using Chrome on an Android phone, you can now zoom in "without affecting the web page layout or your browsing experience," Google says.
The feature mimics what's already available on Chrome desktop PCs. A slider appears at the bottom of the page, where you can adjust the percent change. The contents of the page all increase proportionally, making it the same browsing experience, just at a larger size.
This could replace the clunky manual zoom of spreading two fingers apart on one part of the screen. You can choose to apply the feature to just one web page or make it available on all. To enable it on a single web page, tap the three-dot menu in Chrome, then select Zoom. The slider will appear. To set up Page Zoom for all web pages, open Chrome, then tap Settings > Accessibility > Show Zoom.
Google also improved an existing feature that generates AI descriptions for images even if there is no alt text. A new integration with its Gemini chatbot now allows the user to ask questions about the images.
"That means the next time a friend texts you a photo of their new guitar, you can get a description and ask follow-up questions about the make and color, or even what else is in the image," Google says. "People can now also get descriptions and ask questions about their whole screen. So if you’re shopping for the latest sales on your favorite shopping app, you can ask Gemini about the material of an item or if a discount is available."
Apple this week announced its own set of accessibility features, including a new Magnifier for Mac. Available for iPhone and iPad since 2016, Magnifier now extends to the desktop, allowing those who are blind or have reduced vision to connect a Mac to a phone camera. What the phone sees appears zoomed in on the computer. This could be helpful when viewing a presentation or lecture, making it easier to take notes and follow along with the speaker.
You can also use it for objects within a close range. In the example below, Apple shows someone using the feature as a magnifying glass for a book. The camera points at the book, and large text appears on the computer.
(Credit: Apple)
(Credit: Apple)Apple also debuted a new braille note taker that allows users to open apps by typing in braille. This can occur on Apple's Braille Screen Input, or a connected braille device. It can take notes and perform calculations using "Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science," Apple says. A Braille version of Apple's Live Captions also helps users transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays.
For users with more severe limitations, including the inability to move or speak, Apple is testing brain implant control of devices, allowing those with implants to text and use their phone with their only thoughts.
(Credit: Apple)