4K LCD / OLED / Mini LED TV BRAVIA®

BRAVIA®'s accessibility features continue to evolve to allow more people to use their TVs independently. Improvements are informed by research conducted with people with disabilities. In addition, new functions have been added to allow TVs to be shared with family and friends and continue to be a source of entertainment / emotion (Kando).

• POINTS
  • TalkBack screen reader can be used during initial setup.
  • Option to extend Menu timeout to view menus longer, and Color inversion and Grayscale mode are available.
  • Volume reset can turn TV on at preferred volume, and Multi-Audio out allows you to listen through TV speakers and a Bluetooth device at the same time.

*Each function name is for the product for the United States.

• Tips Video | BRAVIA New Accessibility Features(Fall 2023)(with Audio Description) | Sony Official (youtube.com)

• TV accessibility functions

Truly Wireless Earbuds LinkBuds Open

LinkBuds Open are truly wireless earbuds equipped with a ring driver unit and have a structure that does not block your ears. This product has been designed incorporating the input of users with low vision. With an open-ring design, LinkBuds Open allows you to listen to the Eye Navi* voice guidance while naturally hearing the sounds around you.

Eye Navi is a walking assistance app equipped with route guidance, obstacle detection, and walking recorder functions. Linking this app to LinkBuds allows information such as the destination to be read out from the direction of the actual destination using this product's in-built sensors and stereophonic sound technology. In-house engineers with low vision took part in adjusting the sound for this function. Moreover, we exhibited this technology at the Sight World 2023 comprehensive event for people with low vision held in November 2023. Many visitors expressed their hopes for this function.

• *Eye Navi is a walking assistance app for people with low vision developed by COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTITUTE CO., LTD.

• POINTS
  • With a structure that does not block your ears, you can hear surrounding sounds naturally even when wearing earbuds
  • Design and specifications incorporating the input of people with low vision
    • Fits a variety of ear shapes without the need for replacement using a dedicated one-size fitting supporter
    • Slip-resistant materials and design adopted for both the earbud body and case
    • Modified specifications for single-ear use to allow users to enjoy the same sound quality and specifications with either their left or right ear
    • Even easier access to information on getting started (Guide for QR)

• Audio accessibility functions
• LinkBuds Open

Alpha™ Full-Frame Interchangeable Lens Camera

We want as many users as possible to take advantages of the functions that are standard with Alpha and express themselves through high-quality imagery. With this goal in mind, we had several discussions with employees who are blind and love cameras, to help us decide on the best sequence for items to be read out when taking photos, such as F-number and shutter speeds. With its carefully selected accessibility features, Alpha will continue to support creators by serving as a trustworthy companion regardless of age or disability.

• POINTS
  • Check menus and operation vocally instead of visually
  • Enlarge menus and operation displays
  • AI-enhanced recognition performance enables fast recognition of a wide range of objects and adjusts focus accordingly

• *Available features differ by model

• Accessibility Features(with Audio Description)

• Camera accessibility functions

Retina Projection Camera Kit

Sony created this retina projection camera kit, DSC-HX99 RNV kit out of a desire to deliver the joy of photography to the estimated 250 million people around the world with low vision* and to allow more people to feel the pleasure of sharing scenes that move them or that they wish to remember.

The kit uses the laser retinal projection method, which is less affected by the eye's ability to adjust focus, to project the image in focus onto the area around the retina, thereby changing what is ""difficult to see"" into ""clearer sight"" for people with low vision. With the cooperation of schools for the blind and other institutions, Sony applied actual feedback from people with low vision and opinions shared during the interviews to the kit to provide a photography experience powered by high optical zoom.

• *Low vision is a visual impairment that causes inconvenience in daily life, such as difficulty seeing, being dazzled, or having difficulty walking due to a narrow field of vision, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. The population is estimated to be 250 million worldwide.

• POINTS
  • The kit, which combines a digital camera manufactured by Sony with a viewfinder from QD Laser, Inc., changes what is "difficult to see" into "clearer sight".
  • It projects a laser weak enough to have no effect on the eye onto the retina to display images in detail.
  • The kit enables not only people with low vision but also people who are farsighted or severely nearsighted to take photos without relying on the ability of their eyes to adjust focus.

The Retina Projection Camera kit was selected for "GOOD DESIGN BEST100" in the "2023 Good Design Awards." "GOOD DESIGN BEST100" awards are specially presented for the top 100 designs among all the award winners.
The kit was also selected as one of the "Japanese Historical Cameras" of 2023 by the Historical Camera Committee, organized by the Japan Camera Industry Institute.

• Exhibitors' interview video: With My Eyes Photo Exhibition "An eye-opening way to discover the world" (with Audio Description)

• DSC-HX99 RNV kit

Xperia™ Smartphone

Xperia 1 VI is equipped with accessibility features that assist with vision, hearing, and action, such as TalkBack* and improved visibility of operation screens.

In addition, Xperia is engaging in various inclusive design-related initiatives.
Since 2021, Sony's software team has been playing a central role in improving some of the applications based on input from employees with disabilities at Sony/Taiyo Corporation. In 2023, we held an in-house training course called "Dialog in the Dark." Employees in various positions including quality assurance, marketing, and public relations in addition to product planning and design participated in this course. They are now putting to good use the insights they gained from this hands-on experience-based training in their daily work.

• *The TalkBack function is the screen reader on Android devices.

• POINTS
  • Evolved into a camera app that can be operated simply and intuitively by adopting a UI with fewer steps and switches
  • The user is notified with sound both when the Xperia photo screen is level and when it is misaligned.
  • When the shutter button is pressed on the screen, in addition to the shutter sound, the shape of the button changes

• Xperia accessibility functions

Guide for QR

Sony products has launched an initiative to make it easier for users to recognize a QR Code on the packaging.
We will be implementing features that make it easy to identify a QR Code on packaging not just visually but also by touch.

• Guide for QR information Click here for details

• *QR Code is a trademark of Denso Wave Inc.

• Guide for QR (with Audio description)