Apps that Won't Enlarge Text For Maximum Readability

Teardrop©1998 Michael O'Morah All Rights Reserved

If you are a developer that creates an app that is heavily text base you don't want to alienate over 200 million potential customers through the use of static text or limited enlargement of said text. The iPhone's Facebook, the BBC News and AP Mobile apps are prime examples of this shortsightedness. Facebook doesn't even attempt to give you a viable option to enlarge text in the app. Fortunately for Facebook users Facely is available in the app store and it handles text so much better.  BBC News does give you an enlarge text button but they still don't enlarge the font enough to be truly effective. AP Mobile does a slightly better job at text enlargement but many will still find a magnifying glass, reading glasses or even Jeweler's lenses are their only option.  One workaround to all of this is to copy paste the text to a word processing app and enlarging the text there. I will say that while the Craigslist and Craigslist Pro App's Listing's are small in Font size the details can be zoomed via gestures and works very well. Other developers could emulate this approach and make a potential 200 Million or more people say "Now that's a Site for sore eyes!".

World Health Organization Statistics on Blindness and Vision Impairment Worldwide: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/

At First Light

Eye, Michael O'Morah ©1998 All Rights Reserved

I am an avid Apple user and have been for more than 30 years. I lost much of my eyesight 15 years ago. One thing that has stuck with me is Apple's famous catch-phrase "Think Different." and I strive to think different every day. This first of what I hope to be many blog entries to come on different accessibility solutions for the Mac OS and iOS I discover and/or implement to overcome the obstacles of vision impairment. Even If you only need Bifocals you'll be sure to benefit from this blog, so stay tuned. Don't be surprised if I tear down the "Other Guys", when I see them blatantly ignore people with impaired vision. Beyond Apple's Macintosh and iPhone. You can further expect mention of peripheral ideas and products that aid myself and others with similar circumstances.