Update on the New & Improved ChromeVox Screen Reader on Chromebooks!

[Laura Palmaro]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are well! As many of you know, over the last couple years, our team has been re-envisioning and rebuilding the ChromeVox screen reader on Chrome OS from the ground up. This new version, which we've temporarily referred to as "ChromeVox Next", has been in an open opt-in beta for multiple months while we collected feedback and continued developing the feature set. We're excited to announce that as of Chrome OS version 56, which should be reaching the stable channel this week, this new version of ChromeVox is now the default on all Chromebooks! 

Here is a link to our video about some of the biggest changes you will experience with this new version. In the next two weeks, we will also be releasing a video about ChromeVox fundamentals and then another with some more intermediate skills. We'll be sure to post the videos on these groups. Feel free to bookmark our video playlist or subscribe to the Google Chrome YouTube channel. 

Here are a few of the biggest changes and improvements you'll notice: 

• The ChromeVox key combo is now only one key. Instead of holding down the Search and Shift keys as the ChromeVox modifier keys, just use the Search key (also known as the ChromeVox key).

• Easier jump commands. In ChromeVox Next, we’ve removed the concept of layered key commands, such as ChromeVox + N then H for next heading and ChromeVox + P then H for previous heading. Now, just press ChromeVox+H to jump to the next heading or ChromeVox+Shift+H to move backwards, for example.

• Sticky keys work everywhere. In ChromeVox Next, sticky keys work across the entire user interface, including the Chrome OS shelf and status tray.

• Other commands also work everywhere. Jump commands, and commands like ‘find in page’ work all across the user interface.

• New ChromeVox panel. This panel displays speech and optionally Braille output at the top of the screen.

• New ChromeVox Menus. Press ChromeVox + Period to open menus that list all the ChromeVox Next keyboard commands, Speech settings, a list of open tabs, and a variety of lists for easier navigation (e.g. links list, headings list, forms list, landmarks list, etc.).

• New sounds. New navigational sounds, also called ‘earcons’, identify key parts of the interface, page load progress, and more. Note that the earcons now have stereo audio positioning, so if you navigate to a link on the right side of the page, for example, you will hear the link earcon from your right speaker or headphone.

• Ability to navigate with a Braille display. It's now possible to use a Braille keyboard to execute jump commands.

• New built-in tutorial. The first time you enter the new experience, you will be brought into a built-in tutorial to learn more.
  

Please note that ChromeVox Next is only available on Chrome OS. For the coming months, you can still revert back to the old version, now known as ChromeVox Classic, if you choose. To do this, press Search + Q. At that point, if you'd like to re-enter the new experience, simply press Shift + Search + Q then Q and you should hear confirmation that you are in ChromeVox Next.

As mentioned above, we've been calling this new version ChromeVox Next in this period of transition to avoid any confusion between the two versions. Moving forward, we will simply refer to the new version as ChromeVox, and the original version as ChromeVox Classic.

We're excited to hear what you think! To provide feedback or ask questions, either send us a note on chromevo...@googlegroups.com or file a bug to our team. When using ChromeVox Next, you can press Search + A then I at anytime to open up our bug template. Please submit details about the issue you are encountering or the feature you’d like to request, and press submit.

To learn more, visit chromevox.com or reference this article in the Chromebook Help Center.

Thanks so much!

Laura on behalf of the Chrome OS Accessibility Team

-- 

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

[Dr. Elizabeth Alexis]

Thank you 

On Feb 6, 2017 4:06 PM, "'Laura Palmaro' via Chromebook Accessibility Trusted Testers" <chromebook-acces...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi everyone,

Hope you are well! As many of you know, over the last couple years, our team has been re-envisioning and rebuilding the ChromeVox screen reader on Chrome OS from the ground up. This new version, which we've temporarily referred to as "ChromeVox Next", has been in an open opt-in beta for multiple months while we collected feedback and continued developing the feature set. We're excited to announce that as of Chrome OS version 56, which should be reaching the stable channel this week, this new version of ChromeVox is now the default on all Chromebooks! 

Here is a link to our video about some of the biggest changes you will experience with this new version. In the next two weeks, we will also be releasing a video about ChromeVox fundamentals and then another with some more intermediate skills. We'll be sure to post the videos on these groups. Feel free to bookmark our video playlist or subscribe to the Google Chrome YouTube channel. 

Here are a few of the biggest changes and improvements you'll notice: 

• The ChromeVox key combo is now only one key. Instead of holding down the Search and Shift keys as the ChromeVox modifier keys, just use the Search key (also known as the ChromeVox key).

• Easier jump commands. In ChromeVox Next, we’ve removed the concept of layered key commands, such as ChromeVox + N then H for next heading and ChromeVox + P then H for previous heading. Now, just press ChromeVox+H to jump to the next heading or ChromeVox+Shift+H to move backwards, for example.

• Sticky keys work everywhere. In ChromeVox Next, sticky keys work across the entire user interface, including the Chrome OS shelf and status tray.

• Other commands also work everywhere. Jump commands, and commands like ‘find in page’ work all across the user interface.

• New ChromeVox panel. This panel displays speech and optionally Braille output at the top of the screen.

• New ChromeVox Menus. Press ChromeVox + Period to open menus that list all the ChromeVox Next keyboard commands, Speech settings, a list of open tabs, and a variety of lists for easier navigation (e.g. links list, headings list, forms list, landmarks list, etc.).

• New sounds. New navigational sounds, also called ‘earcons’, identify key parts of the interface, page load progress, and more. Note that the earcons now have stereo audio positioning, so if you navigate to a link on the right side of the page, for example, you will hear the link earcon from your right speaker or headphone.

• Ability to navigate with a Braille display. It's now possible to use a Braille keyboard to execute jump commands.

• New built-in tutorial. The first time you enter the new experience, you will be brought into a built-in tutorial to learn more.
  

Please note that ChromeVox Next is only available on Chrome OS. For the coming months, you can still revert back to the old version, now known as ChromeVox Classic, if you choose. To do this, press Search + Q. At that point, if you'd like to re-enter the new experience, simply press Shift + Search + Q then Q and you should hear confirmation that you are in ChromeVox Next.

As mentioned above, we've been calling this new version ChromeVox Next in this period of transition to avoid any confusion between the two versions. Moving forward, we will simply refer to the new version as ChromeVox, and the original version as ChromeVox Classic.

We're excited to hear what you think! To provide feedback or ask questions, either send us a note on chromevox-discuss@googlegroups.com or file a bug to our team. When using ChromeVox Next, you can press Search + A then I at anytime to open up our bug template. Please submit details about the issue you are encountering or the feature you’d like to request, and press submit.

To learn more, visit chromevox.com or reference this article in the Chromebook Help Center.

Thanks so much!

Laura on behalf of the Chrome OS Accessibility Team

[Bryan Duarte (Student)]

Hello Laura,

I am happy to hear that Google has gotten ChromeVox to a stable release on Chrome OS. The new features sound awesome and the new key commands are much appreciated. I do have a couple of questions regarding the new ChromeVox.

1. Will it be supported on Chrome browsers at any point?

2. When I used CV Next beta the only voice that worked was the default voice. Is there support for alternative voices now and have they been tested?

3. When navigating with Braille displays is there support for turning on or off speech feedback? In other words if my Braille cursor moves the screen can I have speech accompany the Braille or mute the speech?

Thank you for your update and I look forward to using the new release of ChromeVox Next.

Thank you,
Bryan Duarte | software engineer
ASU Computer Science Ph.D Student
National Association of Blind Students | Board Member
Arizona Association of Blind Students | President
QwikEyes CEO http://www.qwikeyes.com/ 

“let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. patience obtains all things. whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”
-- St. Teresa of Avila

[Laura Palmaro]

Hi Bryan,

Thanks so much. All good questions. Here are some answers: 

1. Will ChromeVox Next be supported on Chrome browsers at any point?

ChromeVox Next is only supported on Chrome OS at this time and for the foreseeable future. That said, the ChromeVox Classic Chrome Extension is still available on other platforms. 

2. When I used CV Next beta the only voice that worked was the default voice. Is there support for alternative voices now and have they been tested?

We don't yet have support for other third party voices. You can explore the list of default voices and languages by pressing Search + O then O to open the ChromeVox options page, though. 

3. When navigating with Braille displays is there support for turning on or off speech feedback? In other words if my Braille cursor moves the screen can I have speech accompany the Braille or mute the speech?

We don't yet have an option for this, but we have it filed as a feature request in our system. We'll keep you posted about changes in the future. 

Please do keep the feedback coming! 

- Laura 

On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 1:47 PM, Bryan Duarte (Student) <Bryan....@asu.edu> wrote:

Hello Laura,

I am happy to hear that Google has gotten ChromeVox to a stable release on Chrome OS. The new features sound awesome and the new key commands are much appreciated. I do have a couple of questions regarding the new ChromeVox.

1. Will it be supported on Chrome browsers at any point?

2. When I used CV Next beta the only voice that worked was the default voice. Is there support for alternative voices now and have they been tested?

3. When navigating with Braille displays is there support for turning on or off speech feedback? In other words if my Braille cursor moves the screen can I have speech accompany the Braille or mute the speech?

Thank you for your update and I look forward to using the new release of ChromeVox Next.

Thank you,
Bryan Duarte | software engineer
ASU Computer Science Ph.D Student
National Association of Blind Students | Board Member
Arizona Association of Blind Students | President
QwikEyes CEO http://www.qwikeyes.com/ 

“let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. patience obtains all things. whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”
-- St. Teresa of Avila

On Feb 6, 2017, at 2:06 PM, 'Laura Palmaro' via Chromebook Accessibility Trusted Testers <chromebook-accessibility-tes...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hi everyone,

Hope you are well! As many of you know, over the last couple years, our team has been re-envisioning and rebuilding the ChromeVox screen reader on Chrome OS from the ground up. This new version, which we've temporarily referred to as "ChromeVox Next", has been in an open opt-in beta for multiple months while we collected feedback and continued developing the feature set. We're excited to announce that as of Chrome OS version 56, which should be reaching the stable channel this week, this new version of ChromeVox is now the default on all Chromebooks! 

Here is a link to our video about some of the biggest changes you will experience with this new version. In the next two weeks, we will also be releasing a video about ChromeVox fundamentals and then another with some more intermediate skills. We'll be sure to post the videos on these groups. Feel free to bookmark our video playlist or subscribe to the Google Chrome YouTube channel. 

Here are a few of the biggest changes and improvements you'll notice: 

• The ChromeVox key combo is now only one key. Instead of holding down the Search and Shift keys as the ChromeVox modifier keys, just use the Search key (also known as the ChromeVox key).
• Easier jump commands. In ChromeVox Next, we’ve removed the concept of layered key commands, such as ChromeVox + N then H for next heading and ChromeVox + P then H for previous heading. Now, just press ChromeVox+H to jump to the next heading or ChromeVox+Shift+H to move backwards, for example.
• Sticky keys work everywhere. In ChromeVox Next, sticky keys work across the entire user interface, including the Chrome OS shelf and status tray.
• Other commands also work everywhere. Jump commands, and commands like ‘find in page’ work all across the user interface.
• New ChromeVox panel. This panel displays speech and optionally Braille output at the top of the screen.
• New ChromeVox Menus. Press ChromeVox + Period to open menus that list all the ChromeVox Next keyboard commands, Speech settings, a list of open tabs, and a variety of lists for easier navigation (e.g. links list, headings list, forms list, landmarks list, etc.).
• New sounds. New navigational sounds, also called ‘earcons’, identify key parts of the interface, page load progress, and more. Note that the earcons now have stereo audio positioning, so if you navigate to a link on the right side of the page, for example, you will hear the link earcon from your right speaker or headphone.
• Ability to navigate with a Braille display. It's now possible to use a Braille keyboard to execute jump commands.
• New built-in tutorial. The first time you enter the new experience, you will be brought into a built-in tutorial to learn more.
  

Please note that ChromeVox Next is only available on Chrome OS. For the coming months, you can still revert back to the old version, now known as ChromeVox Classic, if you choose. To do this, press Search + Q. At that point, if you'd like to re-enter the new experience, simply press Shift + Search + Q then Q and you should hear confirmation that you are in ChromeVox Next.

As mentioned above, we've been calling this new version ChromeVox Next in this period of transition to avoid any confusion between the two versions. Moving forward, we will simply refer to the new version as ChromeVox, and the original version as ChromeVox Classic.

We're excited to hear what you think! To provide feedback or ask questions, either send us a note on chromevox-discuss@googlegroups.com or file a bug to our team. When using ChromeVox Next, you can press Search + A then I at anytime to open up our bug template. Please submit details about the issue you are encountering or the feature you’d like to request, and press submit.

To learn more, visit chromevox.com or reference this article in the Chromebook Help Center.

Thanks so much!

Laura on behalf of the Chrome OS Accessibility Team

-- 

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

--

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

Cell: (973) 714-2599

[Trenton Matthews]

Although I currently only have an Acer Chromebook 11 2016, even though it was an upgrade to the original model back in 2014, I am deeply proud of how Chrome OS and Chromevox is shaping up.

Thanks Laura and everyone their at Google, for making this fine screen reader shine!

PS. I can't wait for Chrome OS 57, coming to the beta channel.

> Laura PalmaroProgram Manager, Chrome Accessibility 
> Email: lpal...@google.com

[Matthew Nixon]

Hi Laura,

I’ve upgraded chromebooks since the testing period.

Is there anything I need to do to get this version?

[Laura Palmaro]

Good question! If you had flipped on the ChromeVox Next open beta in the past and then switched back to Classic, then your Chromebook won't automatically upgrade you to the new experience when you reach Chrome version 56. To flip on the new experience in this case, when ChromeVox is on, press Shift + Search + Q then Q and then you should hear a confirmation that you are in Next. 

Quick reminder -- to check what version of Chrome OS you are on, you can press Ctrl + L to put your cursor in the address bar, then type about://chrome and press enter. On this page, you will find the version number, and you can also press the button to check for and apply updates. If you do have updates available (if your machine has been unused for a little while, for example), then after it updates, it will then prompt you to restart the machine. This new version of ChromeVox becomes the default on Chromebooks as of Chrome OS version 56. You can opt into the new ChromeVox in earlier Chrome OS versions (i.e. 55) by pressing Shift + Search + Q then Q, but note that the earlier versions won't be as feature complete as the experience in 56. 

Hope that helps! 

- Laura 

On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 3:05 AM, Matthew Nixon <jous...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Laura,

I’ve upgraded chromebooks since the testing period.

Is there anything I need to do to get this version?

 

 

From: 'Laura Palmaro' via Chromebook Accessibility Trusted Testers [mailto:chromebook-accessibility-testers@googlegroups.com]
Sent: Monday, February 6, 2017 4:06 PM
To: chromevox-discuss@googlegroups.com; chromebook-accessibility@googlegroups.com; axs-chrome-discuss@googlegroups.com; chromebook-accessibility-tes...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Update on the New & Improved ChromeVox Screen Reader on Chromebooks!

Hi everyone,

 

Hope you are well! As many of you know, over the last couple years, our team has been re-envisioning and rebuilding the ChromeVox screen reader on Chrome OS from the ground up. This new version, which we've temporarily referred to as "ChromeVox Next", has been in an open opt-in beta for multiple months while we collected feedback and continued developing the feature set. We're excited to announce that as of Chrome OS version 56, which should be reaching the stable channel this week, this new version of ChromeVox is now the default on all Chromebooks! 

 

Here is a link to our video about some of the biggest changes you will experience with this new version. In the next two weeks, we will also be releasing a video about ChromeVox fundamentals and then another with some more intermediate skills. We'll be sure to post the videos on these groups. Feel free to bookmark our video playlist or subscribe to the Google Chrome YouTube channel. 

 

Here are a few of the biggest changes and improvements you'll notice: 

· The ChromeVox key combo is now only one key. Instead of holding down the Search and Shift keys as the ChromeVox modifier keys, just use the Search key (also known as the ChromeVox key).

· Easier jump commands. In ChromeVox Next, we’ve removed the concept of layered key commands, such as ChromeVox + N then H for next heading and ChromeVox + P then H for previous heading. Now, just press ChromeVox+H to jump to the next heading or ChromeVox+Shift+H to move backwards, for example.

· Sticky keys work everywhere. In ChromeVox Next, sticky keys work across the entire user interface, including the Chrome OS shelf and status tray.

· Other commands also work everywhere. Jump commands, and commands like ‘find in page’ work all across the user interface.

· New ChromeVox panel. This panel displays speech and optionally Braille output at the top of the screen.

· New ChromeVox Menus. Press ChromeVox + Period to open menus that list all the ChromeVox Next keyboard commands, Speech settings, a list of open tabs, and a variety of lists for easier navigation (e.g. links list, headings list, forms list, landmarks list, etc.).

· New sounds. New navigational sounds, also called ‘earcons’, identify key parts of the interface, page load progress, and more. Note that the earcons now have stereo audio positioning, so if you navigate to a link on the right side of the page, for example, you will hear the link earcon from your right speaker or headphone.

· Ability to navigate with a Braille display. It's now possible to use a Braille keyboard to execute jump commands.

· New built-in tutorial. The first time you enter the new experience, you will be brought into a built-in tutorial to learn more.

 

Please note that ChromeVox Next is only available on Chrome OS. For the coming months, you can still revert back to the old version, now known as ChromeVox Classic, if you choose. To do this, press Search + Q. At that point, if you'd like to re-enter the new experience, simply press Shift + Search + Q then Q and you should hear confirmation that you are in ChromeVox Next.

 

As mentioned above, we've been calling this new version ChromeVox Next in this period of transition to avoid any confusion between the two versions. Moving forward, we will simply refer to the new version as ChromeVox, and the original version as ChromeVox Classic.

 

We're excited to hear what you think! To provide feedback or ask questions, either send us a note on chromevox-discuss@googlegroups.com or file a bug to our team. When using ChromeVox Next, you can press Search + A then I at anytime to open up our bug template. Please submit details about the issue you are encountering or the feature you’d like to request, and press submit.

 

To learn more, visit chromevox.com or reference this article in the Chromebook Help Center.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Laura on behalf of the Chrome OS Accessibility Team

 

 

-- 

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

--

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

Cell: (973) 714-2599

[Molly O'Sullivan]

I had this problem as well, and this solution fixed it. I had not been in the beta channel though, and had not run Chromevox Next before. 

Molly

Sent from my iPhone

[Laura Palmaro]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to let you know that we now have two additional videos published about ChromeVox on our Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility YouTube playlist: 

1) Using ChromeVox on your Chromebook: Fundamentals

2) Using ChromeVox on your Chromebook: Intermediate Skills 

We hope these videos are helpful learning tools as you dive deeper into the new ChromeVox experience! 

- Laura 

On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 1:06 PM, Laura Palmaro <lpal...@google.com> wrote:

Hi everyone,

Hope you are well! As many of you know, over the last couple years, our team has been re-envisioning and rebuilding the ChromeVox screen reader on Chrome OS from the ground up. This new version, which we've temporarily referred to as "ChromeVox Next", has been in an open opt-in beta for multiple months while we collected feedback and continued developing the feature set. We're excited to announce that as of Chrome OS version 56, which should be reaching the stable channel this week, this new version of ChromeVox is now the default on all Chromebooks! 

Here is a link to our video about some of the biggest changes you will experience with this new version. In the next two weeks, we will also be releasing a video about ChromeVox fundamentals and then another with some more intermediate skills. We'll be sure to post the videos on these groups. Feel free to bookmark our video playlist or subscribe to the Google Chrome YouTube channel. 

Here are a few of the biggest changes and improvements you'll notice: 

• The ChromeVox key combo is now only one key. Instead of holding down the Search and Shift keys as the ChromeVox modifier keys, just use the Search key (also known as the ChromeVox key).

• Easier jump commands. In ChromeVox Next, we’ve removed the concept of layered key commands, such as ChromeVox + N then H for next heading and ChromeVox + P then H for previous heading. Now, just press ChromeVox+H to jump to the next heading or ChromeVox+Shift+H to move backwards, for example.

• Sticky keys work everywhere. In ChromeVox Next, sticky keys work across the entire user interface, including the Chrome OS shelf and status tray.

• Other commands also work everywhere. Jump commands, and commands like ‘find in page’ work all across the user interface.

• New ChromeVox panel. This panel displays speech and optionally Braille output at the top of the screen.

• New ChromeVox Menus. Press ChromeVox + Period to open menus that list all the ChromeVox Next keyboard commands, Speech settings, a list of open tabs, and a variety of lists for easier navigation (e.g. links list, headings list, forms list, landmarks list, etc.).

• New sounds. New navigational sounds, also called ‘earcons’, identify key parts of the interface, page load progress, and more. Note that the earcons now have stereo audio positioning, so if you navigate to a link on the right side of the page, for example, you will hear the link earcon from your right speaker or headphone.

• Ability to navigate with a Braille display. It's now possible to use a Braille keyboard to execute jump commands.

• New built-in tutorial. The first time you enter the new experience, you will be brought into a built-in tutorial to learn more.
  

Please note that ChromeVox Next is only available on Chrome OS. For the coming months, you can still revert back to the old version, now known as ChromeVox Classic, if you choose. To do this, press Search + Q. At that point, if you'd like to re-enter the new experience, simply press Shift + Search + Q then Q and you should hear confirmation that you are in ChromeVox Next.

As mentioned above, we've been calling this new version ChromeVox Next in this period of transition to avoid any confusion between the two versions. Moving forward, we will simply refer to the new version as ChromeVox, and the original version as ChromeVox Classic.

We're excited to hear what you think! To provide feedback or ask questions, either send us a note on chromevox-discuss@googlegroups.com or file a bug to our team. When using ChromeVox Next, you can press Search + A then I at anytime to open up our bug template. Please submit details about the issue you are encountering or the feature you’d like to request, and press submit.

To learn more, visit chromevox.com or reference this article in the Chromebook Help Center.

Thanks so much!

Laura on behalf of the Chrome OS Accessibility Team

-- 

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

--

Laura Palmaro

Program Manager, Chrome Accessibility 

Email: lpal...@google.com

Cell: (973) 714-2599

[Gary Morin]

Laura, great information!  will pass this along at work (the NIH), to the Blind/low-vision community as well as the Section 508-community.

thanks!

Gary Morin

Gary

Gary M. Morin
(301) 980-9649 Cell and Text Messaging

[Laura (Palmaro) Allen]

Thanks, Gary! 

Laura (Palmaro) Allen |

Google |

Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility Program Manager | Pronouns: she/her

On Mon, Dec 11, 2017 at 1:31 PM, Gary Morin <garymich...@gmail.com> wrote:

Laura, great information!  will pass this along at work (the NIH), to the Blind/low-vision community as well as the Section 508-community.

thanks!

Gary Morin

Gary

Gary M. Morin
(301) 980-9649 Cell and Text Messaging