Apple, Microsoft, Google collaborate on new universal standard for Braille displays
Three of the world’s biggest tech companies have formed a coalition to develop Braille-compatible displays. As reported by The Verge, Google, Microsoft and Apple want to create a USB Human Interface Device (HID) format for manufacturing Braille displays. Although the project is still in its early stages, it could pave the way for new devices with Braille-friendly displays.
This project is being spearheaded by the USB Implementers Forum, a nonprofit organization whose primary activities include the promotion of standards such as USB, Wireless USB and On-The-Go (UTG). The USB Implementers Forum was founded in 1995 by several tech companies. Since then, it’s played a critical role in creating universal standards for devices.
One of the USB Implementers Forum’s next projects is to develop a universal Braille standard for displays. And with Google, Microsoft and Apple now behind the project, it’s only a matter of time until this happens.
Roughly 253 million people worldwide suffer from some level of visual impairment, with 36 million being legally blind. Unfortunately, visual impairment makes otherwise common tasks like browsing the internet or writing emails difficult. While speech-to-text software is available, many of these products are restricted to certain platforms. Hopefully, this problem will be solved with the USB Implementers Forum’s new Braille standard.
Few details have been released regarding the USB Implementers Forum’s upcoming Braille standard for displays. However, we know that it’s going to offer a high level of cross-compatibility, meaning users can remove and install the Braille reader on multiple devices. For example, a user can remove the Braille reader from his or her smartphone and install it on a computer monitor. The standard is intended to support all major operating systems, including both desktop and mobile.
Many tech companies have developed their own products and services for people suffering from visual impairment. In April 2018, Apple rolled out a special version of its Everyone Can Code program to aspiring coders who are visually impaired or blind. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced a VR controller that’s tailored specifically for the visually impaired.
No official launch date for the Braille display standard has been announced.
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