Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Blind Apple Watch usage (self.Blind)
submitted by tutzig
Hey guys, I’m big into mobile technology and the accessibility thats used with it. I wanted to know if any blind or visually impaired apple users have an Apple Watch, and more importantly, can actually operate it. It’s been something on my mind lately, and i’m curious if the blind community has a way to use them?
drv687 1 points 4y ago
I'm visually impaired and I'm currently using a series 2 (I thiik) Apple Watch. I just recently switched from Android to iOS devices about a week or so ago after 8 years of Android devices so I'm still figuring out everything.
mshtheblind 1 points 4y ago
Hey, sorry if I am a bit late to the party but I can comment on this, I think.
I own the series 3 and 4, and use my 4 daily. It is a huge step up in speed and response, in my opinion. Especially with using Siri. The 3 was quite sluggish but not completely useless, more like trying to use a 2014 iPod these days.
Another major difference is with the extra added size, it makes using FlickType on the watch a lot easier and processing of words quicker as well. I have to say I am a fan of the Apple Watch and will probably pick up the newer one if or when one releases.
I own the series 3 and 4, and use my 4 daily. It is a huge step up in speed and response, in my opinion. Especially with using Siri. The 3 was quite sluggish but not completely useless, more like trying to use a 2014 iPod these days.
Another major difference is with the extra added size, it makes using FlickType on the watch a lot easier and processing of words quicker as well. I have to say I am a fan of the Apple Watch and will probably pick up the newer one if or when one releases.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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HDMILex 3 points 4y ago
Only on S3 and below. The Series 4 runs like lightning.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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tutzig [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Finicky how exactly? I’ve experienced voice over being buggy before when an update was needed, but how exactly does the watch work with voice over if you dont mind
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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EndlessReverberation 2 points 4y ago
This is, more or less, my experience as well, however, I believe the performance issues I have are due to my watch being series 0, the very first Apple watch. xXLosingItXx, which series do you have? I have heard that the newestes version, series 4, is almost as smooth and quick as using an iphone.
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I got the Apple watch on day one. I stopped using it after a while, but I pick it back up from time to time and I have just started using it on a daily basis again. I love it's haptic time telling method. I find talking watches intrusive some of the time, and I have trouble telling the exact time with braille watches. The watch is also handy when I'm climbing at the rock gym, and doing cross country skiing.
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Apart from the, above mentioned, points, an Apple watch called complicated, which I just found, is great, and the other reason I'm using the watch again. With the complicated app, you can create widgets for your watch face that basically pull data from any where you want. For example, I have one that shows me the subject and sender for incoming emails from my various accounts. I have a second widget that pulls in posts from some sub reddit feeds I picked, plus some Rss feeds etc.
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The health tracking is also very good if that matters to you. I would think it's the most accessible health tracker out there.
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With all of that said, I have found the series 0 watch to be very under powered and lacking. I believe Apple has made things a lot better with the newests watches, but I'm only saying that from what I have heard. I think most people would not have enough use for the watch to make it's steep price tag worth it, but I have found uses for the thing.
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I got the Apple watch on day one. I stopped using it after a while, but I pick it back up from time to time and I have just started using it on a daily basis again. I love it's haptic time telling method. I find talking watches intrusive some of the time, and I have trouble telling the exact time with braille watches. The watch is also handy when I'm climbing at the rock gym, and doing cross country skiing.
​
Apart from the, above mentioned, points, an Apple watch called complicated, which I just found, is great, and the other reason I'm using the watch again. With the complicated app, you can create widgets for your watch face that basically pull data from any where you want. For example, I have one that shows me the subject and sender for incoming emails from my various accounts. I have a second widget that pulls in posts from some sub reddit feeds I picked, plus some Rss feeds etc.
​
The health tracking is also very good if that matters to you. I would think it's the most accessible health tracker out there.
​
With all of that said, I have found the series 0 watch to be very under powered and lacking. I believe Apple has made things a lot better with the newests watches, but I'm only saying that from what I have heard. I think most people would not have enough use for the watch to make it's steep price tag worth it, but I have found uses for the thing.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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HDMILex -4 points 4y ago
Have you tried Googling 'Apple Watch Accessibility'?
Try that before asking such an obvious question.
Try that before asking such an obvious question.
Badassmotherfuckerer 1 points 4y ago
I mean OP wanted to have a dialogue with people who use an Apple watch and are VI. I don't think it's an overly obvious question. Before I got an Apple watch, I thought, "what's the point from the perspective of a VI person?" and using it with Voiceover and exploring it's features isn't something googling alone will tell you.
RJHand 1 points 4y ago
Yeah it will. There are several articles and podcasts on the subject. Try applevis.com
Badassmotherfuckerer 2 points 4y ago
I'm familiar with applevis. I'm not asking about Voiceover features, I'm must saying from OP's perspective I don't think it's an overtly obvious question.
In my opinion at least.
In my opinion at least.
tutzig [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Figured I was asking directly to a focus group that knew more first hand. But thanks :D
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