Windows Phone 8 : Configuring Basic Device Settings - Accessibility (part 2) - Enabling the Screen Magnifier, Using Speech for Phone Accessibility

Enabling the Screen Magnifier

Enabling the magnifier option gives you the capability to zoom the screen on demand to make text and graphics larger or smaller. To enable the screen magnifier, go to the Settings screen, tap Ease of Access, and then complete the following step:

1. Drag the Screen Magnifier slide bar to the On position.

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>>>Go Further: Using the Magnifier

Enabling the magnifier does not automatically magnify the screen; it only enables you to magnify the screen. Magnification is controlled through a series of gestures:

• Enable magnification: Double-tap with two fingers.

• Pan: Move the screen using two fingers.

• Change the magnification level: Using two fingers, double-tap, hold, and then pan up or down.

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It’s Not All Good

The finger gestures used to control the magnify feature are not exactly intuitive. It stands to reason that Microsoft would have used a pinching motion to control the level of magnification, yet they opted for an obscure finger gesture instead.

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Using Speech for Phone Accessibility

Even though the accessibility features are primarily intended for use by disabled persons, the Speech for Phone Accessibility feature is one of my favorite phone features. This feature enables talking caller ID. When the phone rings, it rings at normal volume once and then verbally announces the caller while playing a somewhat muffled ring tone. To enable this feature, go to the Settings screen, tap Ease of Access, and then follow these steps:

1. Scroll the display upward to reveal the Speech for Phone Accessibility section.

2. Slide the Speech for Phone Accessibility slide bar to the On position.