Apple announces accessibility features, including background sounds to help maintain focus and calm, AssistiveTouch for Apple Watch, and iPad eye-tracking

Apple today announced the upcoming launch of several new accessibility features that are being added to its various products and services.

MacRumors 2021-05-20 Juli Clover

Context & Ripple Effects

This announcement begins a cross-device accessibility thread that Apple later extended with iPhone mirroring for Watch apps and live captions, then with broader cognitive, vision and speech tools in 2023. The through-line is not a single assistive feature but alternative ways to operate and experience Apple devices.

Later coverage shows that eye-based control became a more prominent part of that program: Apple’s 2024 release added eye control for iPhones and iPads, while 2025 added App Store accessibility labels and Mac reading and Braille tools.

First-order effects

Apple Watch users who need an alternative touch input gain AssistiveTouch, while iPad users gain eye-tracking support; background sounds adds an on-device option intended to aid focus and calm.
Apple’s accessibility offering now spans wearable controls, tablet input and audio experiences rather than being confined to one product category.

Second-order effects

The Watch feature creates a foundation for cross-device access patterns that Apple later advanced through mirroring Watch apps on an iPhone, making accessibility controls more useful across a user’s device set.

Third-order effects

If Apple sustains its annual expansion of access features, accessibility becomes a durable operating-system and app-discovery layer, culminating in the later App Store Accessibility Nutrition Labels rather than a collection of isolated settings.

The trend: Apple is steadily turning accessibility from device-specific accommodations into a cross-platform interface and software-discovery strategy.

Discussion

@reneritchie Rene Ritchie on x
“Apple previews powerful software updates designed for people with disabilities” 🤟 SignTime ⌚️ AssistiveTouch for Watch 👀 Eye-Tracking for iPad 👩‍👧 VoiceOver for Images 🦻 Bi-Directional hearing aids 🏞 Background sounds 🔉 Sound actions 🦾 More emoji! https://www.apple.com/...
@tim_cook Tim Cook on x
We believe everyone should have the tools they need to change the world. Accessibility is a fundamental right, and we're always pushing the boundaries of innovation so that everyone can learn, create and connect in new ways. #GAAD https://www.apple.com/...
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
Also, I hope this is the new Settings design, because it's a lot nicer. We've had the somewhat jarring full width bars since iOS 7 and I was never really a fan. (Compare new, via Apple's latest press release, vs. current) https://twitter.com/...
@parkerortolani Parker Ortolani on x
This stuff is so cool! They must have a ton set for a packed WWDC... so much software/services stuff right beforehand... https://twitter.com/...
@justmedevin Devin on x
The nose is no longer the primary input for Apple Watch. https://twitter.com/...
@benbajarin Ben Bajarin on x
This is impressive. Awesome accessibility features. And some hints to Apple AR UI. https://twitter.com/...
@jamesrath James Rath on x
⌚️ Apple Watch users, you gotta see this in action! 👨🏼‍🦯 As a white cane user, my hands are rarely free and this will be great for us visually impaired folks! https://twitter.com/...
@kfury @kfury on x
Apple's ‘Assistive Touch’ to help those with disabilities operate the Apple Watch is just amazing. Watch the video. https://www.apple.com/...
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
Apple could have EASILY announced all of this at WWDC which is 19 days away. But it didn't, it had to turn it into a press release. This says something. https://twitter.com/...
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
Controlling Apple Watch by clenching your first, hovering a cursor by moving your hand, and more — this is really mind-blowing human/computer interaction design. Holy wow. https://twitter.com/...
@chrismessina @chrismessina on x
Also, how much could this be a preview of Apple's own eventual mainstream augmented reality plans? #WWDC? https://twitter.com/...
@filipeesposito @filipeesposito on x
A cursor? This confirms Xcode and Final Cut coming to Apple Watch. 😜 https://twitter.com/...
@jioriku McGuire Wood on x
Temper expectations for WWDC y'all Gonna be a banger event like all the rest and I'm sure @jon_prosser can attest to there being some surprises But I've seen some making it seem like some revolutionary stuff is gonna be announced. Definitely cool stuff, but not like that
@twostraws Paul Hudson on x
AirTags, new iMac, new iPad, new Apple TV, lossless Apple Music, spatial audio music, plus these new accessibility upgrades... they really are clearing the decks ahead of #WWDC21 🚀
@charlie_lner Charlie Woodhead on x
This is really exciting. And this in particular for me will be game changing https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
I don't think iOS 15 is bringing a big design overhaul otherwise it would have shown through a bit in these screenshots. https://twitter.com/...
@gregjoz Greg Joswiak on x
We design our products and services with everyone in mind, and we're so excited to share these powerful new features with our customers. Technology works best when it works for everyone. #GAAD https://www.apple.com/...
@gavkar Gokhan Avkarogullari on x
This is one of the great reasons to work at Apple. I am proud to be working for a company that truly cares about people with disabilities because it is the right and ethical thing to do. https://twitter.com/...
@_inside Guilherme Rambo on x
@kdu3142 @stroughtonsmith I use the tip of my nose to interact with Apple Watch more than I'd like to admit
@edent Terence Eden on x
I'm sorry to snark on this excellent initiative. But it is still impossible to increase the font size in MacOS. And larger cursors cover tool tips. https://shkspr.mobi/... This is an 11 year old bug! https://twitter.com/...
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
Nice job @ParkerOrtolani spotting UI elements that very likely belong to iOS 15 in today's Apple press release: https://9to5mac.com/...
@chrismessina @chrismessina on x
Wait until Facebook launches similar functionality for Oculus at F8. The benefiting user base matters for telling the story. https://t.co/q6M6v8kGLD
@9to5mac @9to5mac on x
Do Apple's new accessibility features hint at UI changes for iOS 15? It's possible https://t.co/pWZnfV478M by @parkerortolani
@pranavdixit @pranavdixit on x
This is insanely cool. Apple presents this as something for disabled people, but I can totally see regular people using this too. https://twitter.com/...
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
Wow. I wonder how much of this work came out of experimentation with input for Apple's AR headset https://twitter.com/...
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
If Apple's pushing iOS 15 features out now to make space for the keynote, how excited should we be for surprises at WWDC? 👀 https://t.co/WlaE5r6kc3
@benedictevans Benedict Evans on x
Assistive touch for the apple watch looks cool for disability, but also points to VR/AR controllers more generally? https://www.apple.com/...
@iansherr Ian Sherr on x
Side note, this is a super cool story from @sharatibken about Apple's latest accessibility efforts. Offering sign language through video chat is one of those Apple Retail ideas I have a feeling will catch on. https://www.cnet.com/...
@reneritchie Rene Ritchie on x
Apple's accessibility team is amazing. They so often pioneer new features that change everything for every, like iPadOS cursor support. And everyone is only one accident or incident away from needing any of this, any give day. Appreciate everyone working on this so much! https://…

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