iPhone / iPad Apps for Magnification and Vision Support
Quick jump to: Magnification Apps | Other Vision Support Apps
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Magnification Apps for iPhone (some may work with latest iPod Touch with camera) |
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Name + screenshot |
Cost |
Illumination |
Whole screen |
Magnification |
Comments |
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Inbuilt Camera |
Free |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes – pinch zoom. No magnification for ”live viewing” |
Take photo with inbuilt camera- open image in Camera roll pinch and zoom to enlarge. |
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Tap Magnify 
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Free |
No |
No |
Pinch Zoom or Slider |
Advertisement present on screen |
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Magnifying Glass Free 
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Free |
No |
Yes or magnifier shape |
2,3 times magnification buttons |
Advertisement in free version. 2,3,4,8 times magnification buttons available in full purchased version |
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Magnify 
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$1:19 |
No |
Yes |
Pinch Zoom |
Live magnification, pinch zoom. |
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Lighted Magnifier for iPhone 4 & iPod Touch 
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Free |
Yes |
Yes |
1, 2, or 4 times live magnification buttons |
Advertisement in free version. Easy to use, good clarity of magnified live image |
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iLoupeOne 
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Free |
No |
Yes |
Zoom Slider |
Simple zoom slider. Auto focus seems a little slow |
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Eye Glasses 
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$3.99 |
No |
No |
Fixed 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 X zoom options |
Zoom buttons are large and easy to see. Auto focus nice and quick. |
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iLoupe 
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$1.19 |
No |
Yes |
Up to 8X Freeze frame option |
Black & white option + and – magnification buttons photo option to create still black & white image – pinch and zoom to adjust size of image. Good clarity can customize and select preferred features in settings |
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iCan See 
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Free |
Yes |
Yes -choice |
Up to 4 X |
Full screen magnification option and illumination make this a good free magnification app. |
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Magnifying Glass 
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$1.19 |
Yes |
Nearly |
Controls on screen |
Advertisement on screen in free version |
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Magnifying Glass with Light 
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Free |
Yes |
Yes |
Slider zoom Up to 6X |
free magnifier app with illumination! Good clarity and auto focus fairly fast. Advertiesment sometimes appears. No advertisement when full version purchased. |
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ISeeClearly 
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$2.49 |
Only when using “capture” |
Yes |
1 – 10 times magnification buttons |
Live, capture or frozen magnification options. Capture image to camera roll, or freeze image for further viewing and enlarging. Uses flash when capturing an image. |
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The Ultimate Magnifier 
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$1.19 |
No |
Yes |
4, 8, 16 or 32 times magnification |
A disadvantage in this magnifier app, is that you can’t change the magnification while viewing an image |
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a Magnify Pro 
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$1.19 |
No |
Yes |
Pinch and zoom live magnification |
Limited features for the price. Live viewing, pinch and zoom magnification only, and no illumination |
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iMagnify 
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$2.49 |
No |
Yes |
Simple slider live magnification up to 4 times |
Can take a photo, add a voice or text tag and save, email or send as txt message. Also has a “tip calculator” |
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Spectacles 
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$1.19 |
Yes. Tap screen to turn illumination on or off |
Yes |
Simple slider live magnification |
Uses inbuilt LED light to help the camera focus on its subject |
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Various handy Apps for Vision Support Teachers sensory awareness, handy utilities, Braille awareness, colour identification |
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Name + screenshot |
Cost |
Device compatibility |
VoiceOver & zoom compatible? |
Website |
Comments |
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Vision!Test 
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$1.19 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
N/A |
http://www.wowsystems.pt/ |
Assess if you are long or short sighted. Interactive assessment. Read print on screen at designated distance. |
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Vision Test 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch, not recommended for iPad |
N/A |
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vision-Test/135968473084455 |
Screens visual acuity, colour vision, astigmatism, |
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Senses – What U See? 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
N/A |
http://www.multimed.biz/ |
Screens colour vision and contrast sensitivity. 2 test options, “Test for children and people with special education needs” or “Test for young people and adults” If 100% accuracy not achieved it will suggest you seek further advice. |
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EyeXam 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
N/A |
http://www.globaleyeventures.com/contactus.html |
Screen visual acuity, colour vision, astigmatism and eye dominance. EyeXam Pro version available for $2.49 |
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Eye Chart Pro for iPad 
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Free |
iPad |
N/A |
http://www.dokcompany.com/products |
Uses Snellen and tumbling E charts to screen acuity. Charts are randomized so they can’t be memorized. Paid premium version allows additional features such as resizing test to assess at different distances. |
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Ophthalmology 
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$1.19 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes |
http://www.faribu.com/ |
Diagrams, photos and reference material relating to the eye, eye conditions and vision. Handy resource for teachers |
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Eye Model – Medical  |
$1.19 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://www.eyetools.com.br/ |
Shows a model of the eye in detail. Useful for explaining eye conditions. Change view and layers |
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BodyParts 
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$3.99 |
iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://support.itprof.in/bodyparts-2/ |
Clear visual diagrams of the human anatomy. Including the eye. Includes quizzes. Handy resource for teachers & students - Graphics not labeled for VoiceOver accessibility. |
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Cones and Rods 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
N/A Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://www.iwillapps.com/wordpress/?p=123 |
Colour vision screening app. Also has simulation photos of a variety of the most commonly occurring colour blindness conditions |
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iBraille 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://www.zeegeegames.com/ |
Vision needed to use app. Could be used with families and students for Braille awareness activities. English to Braille and Braille to English conversion. Grade 1 braille. |
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Bumps – A Braille Guide 
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$1.19 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://izatt.com/ |
Vision needed to use app. Could be used with families and students for Braille awareness activities. Flashcards, wordplay and reference cards. Grade 1 braille |
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Learn Braille Alphabet 
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$2.49 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://learningsheep.limewebs.com/ |
Good vision needed for this app. Could be used with families and students for Braille awareness activities. Listen to the letter/number press the correct Braille letter. Learn Braille Number also available for $1.19 Grade 1 braille |
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Braille 123 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://frogscode.com/Braille123.html |
Vision needed to use app. Could be used with families and students for Braille awareness activities. Grade 1 braille |
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Braille Driller 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes, VoiceOver text fields only |
http://user.gru.net/nemesis/iphoneAppPages/ |
Vision needed to use app. Could be used with families and students for Braille awareness activities. Voice Over echoes letter choices, but not Braille visual arrangement in quiz. Letters and numbers covered. |
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Talking Clock Digital 
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$2.49 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes |
http://alibalisoftware.com/ |
Simple app announces time and date when tapped. Time and date also displayed clearly in large print in digital format |
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Talking Clock Pro 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes |
http://www.mindwarrior.biz/ |
Can change text and background colour. Robotic voice. |
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Talking Clock + Timer 
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$1.19 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes |
http://www.gamerpig.com/Site/Blank.html |
Can customize so app will speak time at preset intervals. Assists students/teachers keep track of time. Continues to work and announce preset times or alarm while listening to music or using other apps. |
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Jeanie the Talking Clock 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes |
http://www.phing.com/listing/460435-Jeanie-the-Talking-Clock-for-iPhone-iPod-Touch |
Announces the time out loud at preset intervals options are 5, 10,15,20,30 or 60 minute intervals. Customise preferences in the settings. Large print digital display |
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Talking Watch Lite 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Zoom yes, VoiceOver no |
http://www.enriquesantos.es/talkingclock/talking_support.html |
Free version announces “you are using the free version, please buy the full version” along with the time – quite annoying! Full version $1:19 |
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Is it dark outside? 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes |
http://malorny.net/ |
Simple app that tells you in large print if it’s dark outside or use voiceover to hear if it’s dark outside. |
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Optical Illusions! 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes No voiceOver access for graphics |
http://sites.google.com/site/susasoftx/Home/support |
iPad version optimised for full screen viewing. |
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Optical Illusions 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes No voiceOver access for graphics |
http://avaloid.com/ipad-games |
Interactive perception and optical illusion quizzes. Requires good vision. |
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300 Optical Illusions 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes No voiceOver access for graphics |
http://icoder.ca/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=28&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53 |
300 optical illusions. Some very complex. Not optimized for iPad, using the 2 X option in iPad to utilize whole screen results in some blurriness. |
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Color ID 
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Free iPhone only |
iPhone, iPod Touch |
No |
http://www.greengar.com/ |
Tap app to launch – point iPhone camera at object, hold for 3 seconds and colour will be spoken out loud. |
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RIDBC Auslan Tutor: Key Signs 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes VoiceOver only for text |
http://www.ridbc.org.au/resources/auslan_tutor.asp?utm_source=RIDBC_Website&utm_medium=ShortURL&utm_campaign=AuslanTutor |
designed for families of young deaf children to assist them to learn Auslan and promote early communication. Over 500 signs are included, signs were chosen as those most needed by families in their interactions with, their young deaf children. |
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RIDBC Auslan Tutor 
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$49.99 |
iPhone, iPod Touch |
Yes VoiceOver only for text |
http://www.ridbc.org.au/resources/auslan_tutor.asp?utm_source=RIDBC_Website&utm_medium=ShortURL&utm_campaign=AuslanTutor |
The RIDBC Auslan Tutor
is only compatible with the iPhone and iPod touch. ch sign has five corresponding entries
which can be viewed on demand as often as necessary. The five entries are:
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Baby Sign and Learn in Auslan 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
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http://babysignandlearn.com/ |
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Simon Says Memory Game 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes with Voice Over |
http://casual-mobile.com/ |
By Huge Lawn software Classic memory game. Visual and auditory. May have an advertisement “tap and win” at bottom of screen |
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MusicDrawFree 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
N/A |
http://almarako.free.fr/musicdraw.html |
No vision needed to play music using this great app. Visual effects. Great for cause and effect, or more sophisticated music compositions for low vision or blind students. |
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A+ Compass with Voice 
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$1.19 |
iPhone & iPad with 3G and Wi Fi |
Yes with Voice Over |
http://www.gp-imports.com/ |
Large print compass. Echoes compass direction with or without using voiceOver. |
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Vbookz 
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$4.99 |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Not fully |
http://vbookz.com/v1/Home.html |
Ebook reader platform the includes search functions, text-to-speech, magnification and contrast controls, adjust reading rate. Use to read ePub formats |
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Dictionary.com – Dictionary and Thesaurus – Free 
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Free |
iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad |
Yes – not well though often says “link” while reading. |
http://dictionary.reference.com/mobileapp |
app delivers reference content from Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com. NO INTERNET CONNECTION NEEDED includes nearly 2,000,000 words, definitions, synonyms and antonyms. Features audio pronunciation, voice-to-text search Spelling suggestions. Phonetic and audio pronunciation. Example sentences. Presence of advertising may distract some young users. |
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apps for Communication, cause & effect, and for students who have multiple access and learning needs |
http://slpsharing.com/app-resources/ Blog by Eric Sailers and information about apps for special education http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/2009/06/ipod-touchiphone-app-round-up-for-users.html http://mobilelearning4specialneeds.wikispaces.com/Apps http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/iphoneipad-apps-for-aac |
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Literacy & Education apps Links for more information and reviewed app lists |
https://sites.google.com/a/eusd.org/eusd-iread/ipod-apps the iRead teachers have compiled a great resource! A spreadsheet of educational apps categorized under subject and grade level additional information, price and links are included http://learninginhand.com mobile learning resources – podcasting, iPods, iPod touch, iPhone, iPad http://www.iear.org/ Education Apps Reviews http://www.connsensebulletin.com/2010/05/apps-for-education/ list of apps for education http://momswithapps.com/ creators and reviewers of family-friendly apps, high-quality, educational, interactive http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/uncategorized/2010/09/educational-apps-and-resources-for-the-ipad-and-iphone/ http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/uncategorized/2010/11/apps-for-literacy-support/ http://www.ipadcurriculum.com/ http://en.softonic.com/phones/home-hobbies-ebooks ebook platforms reviewed, rated with pros and cons listed. |
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Accessories for amplification, mounting, drawing and customizing access |
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/new-technologies/2011/01/iphone-and-ipod-accessories-imaingox-and-pogo-sketch/ http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/new-technologies/2010/10/how-do-i-make-my-ipod-accessible-for-students-with-disabilities-meet-the-new-ipod-switcher/ |
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Customising accessibility features: VoiceOver, zoom, white on Black, Mono Audio, Speak Auto-text |
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4064 Note: You can have Zoom or VoiceOver on, but not both at the same time. Zoom and VoiceOver use the same gestures to perform different actions. http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/vision.html Teachers may prefer to set VoiceOver on in the accessibility features using the “triple-click Home” option. This allows you to easily turn Voiceover on and off by pressing the Home button 3 times quickly. |
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Tutorials |
http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=597 http://soap.stanford.edu/show.php?contentid=97 video demonstrations including VoiceOver, using iPhone 4 with Braille display http://www.visionaustralia.org/info.aspx?page=2287 podcasts on using accessibility features on Ipad, iPod , iPhone and Mac OS. http://www.senderogroup.com/social_media/rss/podcast.htm podcasts on using accessible GPS http://techaccessweekly.com/ podcasts about a variety of accessible technologies. IPhone, iPhone apps, JAWS, screen reading software, NVDA, and other accessible software. |
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Author:
*** All the information is current as of February 2011. Application availability and prices may change as companies upgrade or delete apps. There are many apps that are available in the USA – but not currently in Australia. If you read about an app you want to try, and you can’t find it in the app store, it may not be yet available in Australia (apps in the list above are available in Australia at the time of reviewing).
Many of the magnification apps may be compatible with the new iPad2 due for release in late March, as the iPad 2 will have a front and rear camera. Considerations such as ability to hold the iPad2 steady while magnifying images and text may present difficulties for some users, strategies such as using portable stands may need to be investigated. I’m looking forward to trialling the new iPad2 for use as a portable magnification device.