New iPad from Apple launched

The new iPad, a tablet style computer, was announced by Apple recently. Apple say using the device is the best way to experience the web, email, photos and video. It does not have a keyboard like a traditional laptop but a multi-touch screen where you navigate the screen using the touch of you finger.

Our assistive technology expert James has already given us his professional opinion about the iPhone, rating Apple as very successful in making their products accessible to visually impaired people.

The new iPad has been stated to change the way we use computers but we want to think about it from an accessibility point of view.

Apple state its accessibility features as:

  • Support for playback of closed-captioned content
  • Voice over screen reader
  • Full-screen zoom magnification
  • White on black
  • Mono audio

When the device becomes available in the UK we would like to review the iPad and look at its accessibility. In the meantime we would like to hear your thoughts. Is the iPad just an oversized iPhone or do you think the accessibility features put Apple ahead of the netbook?

Posted on 1 February 2010, in Technology