Apple’s series of auxiliary functions in iOS 14, including social distance, sign language and voice recognition, has won FCC awards. The US FCC’s 11th Chairperson Award for Accessible Technology Progress has been announced. The blind pharmacy services, COVID ASL hotline and Apple iOS 14 have won awards.
FCC Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel stated that in an unprecedented period of uncertainty and urgency, Apple and other winners advance accessibility features in a way that has a substantial impact on people’s lives. We are honored to receive this news, said Sarah Herrlinger, senior director of Apple’s global accessibility policy and programs. We are honored to be today’s winners, and the work we celebrate here is crucial because it helps to lay the necessary foundation for a fairer world.
Join RealMi Central on Telegram, Facebook & Twitter
The FCC talked about four special auxiliary functions added or developed in iOS 14:
- People detection in the magnifying glass app
- Group FaceTime: Identify sign language participants and make their videos more prominent
- Voice recognition: iPhone can monitor specific sounds, such as fire alarms, and alert users
- VoiceOver Recognition: Provide a “substantial description” for websites and applications
In 2011, Apple also won the FCC Accessibility Technology Progress Award for its iPhone 4 at the time.