Podcast Summary: The Blind Life Podcast – "Massive Apple Accessibility Updates Just Announced! New Accessibility Features for 2025"

Episode 44 | June 16, 2025
Host: Sam Seavey
Theme: Reactions to Apple’s WWDC announcements, focusing especially on the new “Liquid Glass” design in iOS 26 and its impact on accessibility for low vision and blind users.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sam Seavey dives into Apple's latest announcements from WWDC 2025, specifically the sweeping design changes in iOS 26. While he’s addressed the dedicated accessibility updates in a separate YouTube video, here he scrutinizes the broader usability implications for people with low vision, highlighting both exciting and worrisome developments.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New “Liquid Glass” Design Language

[00:30–02:00]

• What is Liquid Glass?
  Apple’s new system-wide theme introduces highly transparent, frosted, and translucent elements to the interface: menus, widgets, notification panels, and even app icons.
• Comparison to Microsoft:
  Sam draws parallels to the “Aero Glass” style in Windows 7/Vista (circa 2009), noting that Apple is revisiting an aesthetic that wasn’t universally loved for usability.
• Low Vision Concerns:
  Sam quickly points out that these changes pose serious challenges:
  • Transparent backgrounds make text harder to read
  • All major UI elements are layered with see-through effects
  • The trend is “as far opposite of low-vision-friendly as you can get,” making high contrast nearly impossible by default

"So Apple is going to this new design theme. They're calling it Liquid Glass. It's very transparent, very translucent...for low vision users this is going to be a nightmare." — Sam Seavey [00:37]

2. Speculation on Apple’s Motivation

[02:00–03:00]

• Tied to Vision Pro and Smart Glasses:
  Sam believes this aesthetic sets the stage for upcoming AR devices (Vision Pro, smart glasses), where UI elements need to blend with real-world visuals.
• Not Just for Looks:
  Menu transparency is likely meant to keep virtual interfaces unobtrusive in AR, but this backfires for accessibility.

"It's because of Vision Pro. I mean, that's what it is...they're getting everybody prepared for smart glasses...But still, it is gonna be a mess." — Sam Seavey [02:26]

3. Possible Workarounds & Accessibility Tweaks

[03:00–04:30]

• Existing Tools:
  • Users can “turn off transparencies” via accessibility settings (Display → Reduce Transparency)
  • However, even with these toggles, elements remain semi-transparent in iOS 26, unlike previous versions which allowed full opacity
• Uncertainty with High Contrast:
  • It’s unclear whether “High Contrast” will improve visibility under the new design
  • Sam is wary of installing the beta due to past issues disabling VoiceOver

"I saw somebody do that in a review video and it did cut down on the transparencies...but it didn't cut it out completely like it does right now in iOS 18." — Sam Seavey [03:45]

4. New Functional Features

[04:30–06:00]

• Colored Message Backgrounds:
  • You can assign custom background colors to individual text conversations, making it easier for people with vision impairments or cognitive disabilities to identify contacts quickly
  • Example: Sam suggests a bright red background for his wife's messages for quick recognition
• Lock Screen Clock Improvements:
  • The clock is now much larger, which is excellent for low vision users, pending it can be set in high contrast
  • Concern: Even the larger clock remains semi-transparent; solid colors are preferable
• Simplified Camera Interface:
  • Especially beneficial for older users or those preferring a cleaner experience

"Being able to set a colored background in your text messages...that's going to be great...super easy for me to recognize whose conversation I'm in with that bright red background." — Sam Seavey [05:10]

"I'm also really loving the lock screen clock, how you can make that much bigger now...but once again...it's been kind of semi transparent... that's not great." — Sam Seavey [05:34]

5. iPad and Mac UX Updates

[06:00–07:00]

• New Menus and Pointers:
  • Introduction of a true pointer and Mac-like taskbar to iPad—a welcome update for those who prefer desktop-style navigation
• Predicted Compatibility:
  • Sam expects VoiceOver and other assistive tools to adapt to these menu changes but acknowledges there will be a learning curve

"The iPad has these new menus, like a taskbar...A lot of the Mac elements are being brought to the iPad, which I think is great, especially like the pointer." — Sam Seavey [06:20]

6. Recap & Outlook

[07:00–End]

• Sam repeats his biggest concern: that the Liquid Glass aesthetic will be “terrible” for users needing strong contrast.
• He’s hopeful but cautious, urging listeners to watch for his updates as more information surfaces.
• For full coverage of accessibility updates (not the visual design), Sam recommends his companion YouTube video (link in episode/video description).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple’s Design Direction:
  "Why, why, why make it harder for everybody to see it? Well, it's because of Vision Pro..." — Sam Seavey [02:12]
• On Beta Testing Woes:
  "I only have one iPhone and I made that mistake with iOS 16, jumping onto the beta before it was fully tested, and I instantly lost voiceover. Voiceover stopped working and I was stuck." — Sam Seavey [04:10]
• Advice for Listeners:
  "You guys stick around. Of course I'm going to stay up on top of this and let you guys know as soon as I do." — Sam Seavey [07:22]

Important Timestamps

• 00:30 Introduction to iOS 26 design changes – “Liquid Glass” explained
• 02:00 Apple’s presumed rationale: prepping for AR/smart glasses
• 03:30 Accessibility workaround options and their limitations
• 05:10 Custom text message colors as an accessibility boost
• 05:34 Praise and concerns for the larger lock screen clock
• 06:20 New iPad & Mac UX elements—Taskbar and pointer on iPad
• 07:22 Promise to track ongoing developments and share updates

Final Thoughts

Sam’s assessment is clear: while Apple is making positive strides in isolated accessibility features, the overarching “Liquid Glass” design raises red flags for the blind and low-vision community. He encourages listeners to stay tuned as more information and real-world testing become available, and points those wanting a full run-down of accessibility-specific changes to his YouTube channel.