Developer: BBC News
Version: 1.7.3
Using iPhone 3Gs, version 5.01
Revised Review: January 29, 2012
Notable Changes:
- The latest app update has fixed all former inaccessible issues with VoiceOver. The BBC News app now rivals AP Mobile in ease of use and accessibility.
- Using “landscape” mode works great, each section is now accessible and helps separate all current stories available.
Possible Improvements Needed:
- In “portrait” mode, one thing which can get confusing is by casually browsing the front panel using only the standard touch gesture. The column style layout and cells for stories works great, but headers for those columns are only noted when directly touched over them. This can lead to a mishmash of stories, not really being clearly separated.
Reassessment:
The severe and unacceptable delay in re-reviewing this app was mainly due to the very poor initial experience of being completely inaccessible. However, I think the BBC News app has shown the greatest improvement of accessibility to VoiceOver of the collection of other apps reviewed thus far. The app has been placed back onto my iPhone and on the front page within my Business folder.
Download BBC News in the iTunes App Store (free)
Originally Reviewed: June 22, 2011
Using iPhone 3GS 4.3.5
App Version: 1.7.1
Pros:
- Quickly locate and listen to the Live Radio feed from the BBC World Service.
- In landscape mode, the highlighted section is accessible, kind of. Story headlines are announced, then when tapped, followed by a fully readable article in VoiceOver.
Cons:
- Front page content (in portrait mode) cannot be individually selected in VoiceOver. Instead, the headlines are read in groups. Selecting a story while the group is being announced seems to randomly choose an article from the group.
- Although in landscape mode the navigation seems a bit accessible, that comes to a disappointing end when you realize there is no way to change news categories. The row of buttons which control content selection are invisible to VoiceOver. These buttons are located above the articles. In my own case, having a tiny bit of vision to see this huge bug, was able to navigate around it by shutting off VoiceOver, selecting the next category, the turning VoiceOver back on.
Breakdown: This was quite a letdown. Of all news agencies, my initial thought was thatBBC News would really go out of their way to be fully accessible. I guess not. Beyond the convenient live radio feed button which I keep it for; my suggestion in its current version and state, let other news apps do the heavy lifting.
I agree. I was letdown by the BBC on this one.
Well done atrcile that. I’ll make sure to use it wisely.
How neat! Is it raelly this simple? You make it look easy.
Not bad at all felals and gallas. Thanks.
Good job mkaing it appear easy.
I’m quite pleased with the inofrmatoin in this one. TY!
Shiver me tmibers, them’s some great information.
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