Play Books by Google
- Reading System Play Books
- Vendor Google
- Assistive Technology: Voiceover
- OS: iOS
- Tested with Braille: No
- Tested with Screenreader: Yes
- Input type: Touch
Results for Extended Descriptions: 50%
Last updated: 19 July 2023
Test book used: Accessibility Tests Extended Descriptions, version 1.1.1 .
These tests were done by Prashant Ranjan Verma.
Summary
Play Books 6.4.0 (20230612208) iOS 16.5.1 the details element technique for image description is working. The internal hyperlink navigation is not working.
| Test ID | Name | Description | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| extdescription-010 | Detection and Utilization of HTML Details and Summary elements | Check if you can use HTML details and summary successfully and read the extended description contained in it. | Pass | The table in description is also recognized. Voiceover focus moves away from book content when the details element is expanded or collapsed. One needs to tap on screen again to bring the focus to book text. |
| extdescription-020 | Technique for linking to a single extended description placed in a separate HTML file via text hyperlinks | Check if activating the hyperlink placed under the image takes you to a separate HTML file with extended descriptions, and the back link there brings you back to the image. | Fail | On using the back link the Voiceover reading cannot be started from correct position even though it is visible on screen. |
Results for Basic Functionality: 73.33%
Last updated: 24 February 2025
Test book used: Fundamental Accessibility Tests: Basic Functionality, version 2.0.0 .
These tests were done by Prashant Ranjan Verma.
Summary
Play Books Version 25.2.0 (20250211202) IOS 17.5.1 Voiceover. Tested in iPad.
| Test ID | Name | Description | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| file-010 | Operating system/Platform accessibility: | If you are using a hardware device, it can be started independently and essential accessibility for starting and exiting applications is available. | Pass | |
| file-110 | The reading system can be activated independently | If you are using a reading app that requires you to create an online account then the complete getting started process should be accessible. | Pass | |
| file-210 | Open content | Open the Fundamental Accessibility Test book in the reading system. | Pass | The test book was uploaded to Play Books from device. |
| file-310 | Access list of available content in the reading system | Check if you can navigate inside the bookshelf. | Pass | Works as expected. |
| nav-005 | The table of contents in the app presents the content hierarchy | Check if the table of Contents is accessible and its hierarchy is presented correctly by the reading system | Fail | The TOC hierarchy is not reported by Voiceover. All the sections and sub-sections are read similarly. |
| nav-010 | Navigate to chapters through the Table of Contents | Check if you can navigate to a section by using the table of contents. | Fail | After selecting a TOC item, Voiceover focus does not move to the desired location. Voiceover reading cannot be started from anywhere near the selected section. |
| nav-110 | Navigate content by pages | Check if you can navigate the content by pages. | Fail | Print page navigation is not supported. |
| nav-210 | Navigate forward and backward through reflowed content | Use any control or command to navigate forward and backwards in the book content. | Pass | Horizontal swiping with three fingers can be used to navigate by reflowed pages. |
| nav-310 | Read navigation information | Use the "Where am I?" or any other similar command available in the reading system and check if you can get information about your current position in the book. | Fail | All desired information cannot be obtained without losing reading position. |
| nav-410 | Perform a search, review the search results | Perform a search, review the search results and navigate to the selected search result in the content. | Pass | Reading cannot be started precisely from the searched term however, the page containing the searched term can be opened and reading can be started from begi |
| nav-510 | Move across chapters without using TOC | Check if you can move across chapters without having to use the Table of Contents. | Pass | With page navigation it is possible to move to next chapter. |
| anno-010 | Add a Bookmark or Highlight | Some reading systems may have a Highlight feature in place of Bookmarks. The tests for Bookmarks may then be performed with Highlights. | Pass | Bookmark can be placed at current screen/page level. |
| anno-110 | Review and navigate Bookmarks or Highlights | Check if you can review and navigate Bookmarks or Highlights. | Pass | It is possible to navigate to the screen/page where the bookmark was placed. |
| anno-210 | Add a note | Add a Note at this location in the book. Provide a few lines of text in the Note. | Pass | notes can be added after double tap and hold on any word. |
| anno-310 | Review and navigate Notes | Check if you can review and navigate Notes. | Pass | The text on which note was added and the note can be read in the Notes list in a tab inside the TOC. However, on navigating to the page containing the note, reading cannot be started precisely from the desired location. |
Results for Non-visual Reading: 75%
Last updated: 24 February 2025
Test book used: Fundamental Accessibility Tests: Non-Visual Reading, version 2.0.1 .
These tests were done by Prashant Ranjan Verma.
| Test ID | Name | Description | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| reading-010 | Initiate "read from here" | Focus on the beginning of a paragraph or a sentence and initiate reading. Reading should continue until interrupted by the user or at the end of the current document, e.g. current chapter. The text being read should preferably remain in view, but this is not a requirement to pass the test. | Fail | Voiceover reading is limited to the current screen. |
| reading-110 | Stop and resume reading at the same reading location | Initiate reading from any point in the book. Stop reading and note the last read position. Initiate reading again and check if reading starts at the last read location. | Pass | Reading can be stopped and started using the two finger single tap gesture. However, as the Voiceover reading is confined to the visible screen, this feature is not much useful. |
| reading-210 | All text should be read in the proper order | Sample text has been provided to test the reading order. The Paragraph 2 should be read after Paragraph 1. Note that visually Paragraph 2 is placed to the left of Paragraph 1 but it is second in the reading order. | Pass | Works as expected. |
| reading-310 | Image alternate text reading | Ensure that the alternate text for the image is available. | Pass | Alt text is read. |
| reading-420 | Footnote Reading | This tests the usability and functionality of footnotes. The markup includes the semantics that the reference is to a note,which could be announced to the reader. The destination could be a footnote or an endnote and announced to the reader. The link back to the original position has the semantics that it is a backlink and could also be announced to the reader. | Fail | Footnote reference link can be activated but Voiceover does not directly read the footnote description. On using back link, it reads from top of page. Return link is not working instead there is a close button which is working as it should be. |
| reading-510 | TTS allows pause for indicating headings, paragraphs, list items, etc | The user should be able to identify the difference between content items such as headings, paragraphs or list items by sufficient pauses in the TTS reading or appropriate formatting in the Braille device. | Pass | Works as expected. |
| reading-610 | Navigate between the cells, rows and columns in the table | Check if you can navigate between the rows and columns of the table | Pass | Table is identified and read properly by Voiceover. |
| reading-710 | Navigate between internal hyperlinks | Check if you can navigate between internal hyperlinks. | Fail | Hyperlink can be selected and activated. However, Voiceover does not read from desired location. |
| reading-810 | Move to the next block item | Check if you can move to the next available page element e.g. paragraph, image or table by using a common key/gesture like swipe right, down arrow etc. | Pass | Text can be navigated by blocks of text, list etc. |
| reading-910 | Navigate by characters | Check if it is possible to navigate to next and previous character in the book text by way of any command or gesture. | Pass | working as expected. |
| reading-1010 | Navigate by words | Check if it is possible to navigate to next and previous word in the book text by way of any command or gesture. | Pass | working as expected. |
| reading-1110 | Navigate by lines | Check if it is possible to navigate to next and previous line in the book text by way of any command or gesture. | Pass | working as expected. |
| reading-1210 | Navigate the content by headings | Check if you can move to the next and previous headings in this book without using the Table of Contents. | Fail | Heading is identified but navigation is limited to current screen. |
| reading-1310 | Select and copy text | Reading systems should provide the ability to copy pieces of text that could be used for notes, in quotations, or to facilitate searching terms contained in the book. In some cases, this could be achieved using an AT such as a screen reader, for instance with a dedicated cursor or other procedures. | Pass | Selection and copy of text is supported with Voiceover. |
| reading-1410 | MathML Reading | The block and inline math expressions below are in the MathML format. We want to determine that the Assistive Technology (AT) identifies the math and enables the detailed exploration of the math with the chosen AT. | Pass | The math equation is read perfectly, character by character, along with its alt text. |
| reading-1510 | TTS Change Languages Automatically | Screen readers and other Assistive Technology that use TTS should be able to detect language changes marked in XHTML content. A screen reader should be able to be configured to automatically change the TTS speaking language when it encounters a language change in the XHTML. This test contains English, German, French, and Italian. | Pass | Working as expected. |