Sony exhibits at Naidex
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At Sony, we leverage creativity and technology to enhance the accessibility of our products, services, and experiences. Through our commitment to an inclusive future, we strive to contribute to a world where everyone belongs. We actively engage with individuals with lived experiences to continuously improve the range of products and services we offer, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of our users.
Sony’s exhibition at Naidex will showcase a selection of our accessible entertainment products that include the accessibility features on BRAVIA TVs, Alpha cameras, Xperia smartphones and the personal audio range of headphones. Features include screen readers, magnification, and shortcuts for ease of operation, to name just a few.
During the event, we will be offering exclusive discounts on select products and attendees can enter a prize draw to win a BRAVIA TV. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for visitors to register their interest to participate in our User Research programme for new products, where we hope their insights and lived experience will help shape the future of accessible products and experiences for everyone.
David Williams, Accessibility Promotion Co-Lead at Sony Europe, commented: “With approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide, or one in six, living with some form of disability, accessibility is not just a personal issue, but a societal one. It is crucial that we raise awareness and integrate accessibility into every aspect of society. At Sony, we believe accessibility and inclusive design are not just special considerations for a select few, but essential concepts that benefit everyone and we are committed to delivering innovation for a more accessible future.
By embedding inclusive design into our product processes, we strive to create products and technologies that meet the needs of the widest range of users. Accessibility is a fundamental principle guiding our innovation and continuous drive for improvement across all our products, services, and experiences. Our ambition is to ensure that every person, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy and benefit from Sony’s products, technology, and content, with no-one excluded.”
Join us at Naidex on stand NDX-C210 to experience how Sony is making entertainment products more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Sony Products and Accessibility Features
BRAVIA TVs
BRAVIA TVs offer a variety of accessibility features, implemented based on feedback from people with disabilities who wanted to use the TV more independently. Among the functions that seek to improve accessibility for people with low vision are “Text Magnification” and “TalkBack,” which allow users to consult the TV program guide on the screen or change television settings without having to look at the screen. Additionally, the “Shortcut” feature on the BRAVIA remote control provides an easier and faster way to activate accessibility features for each user. Voice control with Google Assistant guarantees an improved television experience: simply say “OK Google” and name the task, such as searching for a video on YouTube. Voice commands can also be used to enhance the BRAVIA TV itself, such as turning it on and off, or changing the volume, offering an improved user experience. To personalise picture viewing for persons with low vision, there are colour inversion and greyscale features.
SRS-LSR200, Wireless Handy TV Speaker
An ideal TV companion is the SRS-LSR200 Wireless Handy TV Speaker, which is very practical for controlling the TV and adjusting a custom volume level, without disturbing other viewers. By having the speaker nearby, you can listen to all the content without needing to turn up the volume or disturb your neighbours. This product has a compact design that integrates a remote control and speaker, making it very convenient to control the television using its essential controls, without needing to use the remote control or make large movements. The voice zoom feature allows you to enjoy dialogue free from background sounds.
SRS-NB10, Wireless Neckband Speaker / BRAVIA Theatre U, Wireless Neckband Speaker
BRAVIA Theatre U
In the field of sound, the SRS-NB10 Wireless Neckband Speaker and BRAVIA Theatre U Neckband Speaker are perfect for enhancing accessibility, including for people who are hard of hearing. Since they are worn around the neck, they are easily accessible. They enable you to receive calls from the neckband speaker and provide clear, easy-to-listen audio from any Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, tablet, or TV, without disturbing others. In addition, ambient sounds can be heard ensuring you stay connected to your surroundings. BRAVIA Theatre U also allows two devices to be connected simultaneously, so two people can enjoy the same personalised experience.
LinkBuds Open wireless earbuds
The LinkBuds Open wireless earbuds are audio devices that are ideal for people with reduced vision thanks to their open ring design. They keep users connected to ambient sounds and the surrounding environment at all times, helping them stay alert and safe. In addition, they allow users to control multiple functions without having to look at the smartphone screen. For example, Wide Area Tap allows you to use double or triple taps in front of either ear to control music playback, so there’s no need to touch the LinkBuds themselves to operate them. Voice assistants provide hands-free help—just say “Hey Google” or “Alexa” to activate your preferred voice assistant. They automatically adjust the volume based on ambient noise and pause the music when you start talking, allowing users to continue conversations without having to remove the earbuds or pause the content.
Xperia smartphones range
The accessibility features of Xperia smartphones include Photography Pro, which assists users capture better photos. With the latest version of Photography Pro, users can opt to have a sound played when their Xperia camera tilts to one side or the other. This enables individuals who are blind or partially sighted to capture straight photos. Users can also adjust the display size and text when needed. For those who are colour-blind or have difficulty reading text on a screen, they can apply a colour correction mode that adjusts how colours are displayed on the device, making it easier to see and read. Activating TalkBack allows users to hear what’s on screen, and the Xperia can provide spoken feedback by reading aloud text on the screen and guiding touches if users have difficulty seeing it. Live Transcribe is a feature that assists individuals to participate more easily in conversations around them. It shows speech as text on your screen, alerts you when your name is spoken, and lets you type responses on screen while viewing the transcription. Further information about the Xperia accessibility features is available on our website.
Digital Imaging products, Alpha series
Through digital imaging products, we aim to contribute to expanding the creative potential of individuals with visual disabilities. For example, selected Sony digital cameras, such as the Alpha 7 IV, incorporate a screen reader function that reads menus and video playback screens aloud to assist users in operating the camera. Menu zoom features are available, along with options to set a range of easy-to-operate shortcut keys. For those who need a larger display, HDMI output is supported. AI-assisted autofocus allows the camera to focus on the selected subject type, enabling users to concentrate on capturing wider shots. The GP-VPT2BT shooting grip with wireless remote commander allows for one-handed operation, featuring a built-in small stand for hands-free stability.
Customer support with partnership with Be My Eyes
Sony has partnered with Be My Eyes to offer enhanced visual assistance to customers who are blind or partially sighted. We aim for all customers to enjoy the products and experiences we offer, and Be My Eyes helps us provide more tailored support using video calls to assist customers who are using the application. Through Specialised Help, we can connect users directly with a Sony representative who will be happy to assist with Sony’s product queries through the Be My Eyes application. Sony also contributed to the development of "Be My AI" as a corporate AI partner. Our support included extensive internal testing and hosting a workshop in collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to gather valuable feedback for further enhancements. Customers can simply download the free Be My Eyes app on the App Store or the Google Play Store and call Sony for specialist support.
About Sony Europe B.V.
Sony Europe B.V. is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is headquartered in United Kingdom. We drive Sony’s leading Entertainment, Technology & Services business for consumer and professional markets, as well as Imaging & Sensing Solutions business across Europe. From research & development, engineering, design, to sales, marketing, distribution and customer service, we work to deliver Sony’s purpose to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.