Sony Group Exhibits at the World's Largest International Conference on Accessibility "CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2024"

SAN DIEGO, March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Group ("Sony") announced today that it will have an exhibit at the world's largest international conference on accessibility, the "CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2024" March 18 to 22 in Anaheim, California.

Based on its Purpose, to "fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology," Sony aims to help build an inclusive future where everyone can share the moment, promoting accessibility with the theme of "Delivering innovation for an accessible future." Towards this goal, Sony intends to implement inclusive design that incorporates this perspective into their product commercialization processes by fiscal 2025.

The exhibit will showcase Sony's accessible products and various inclusive design initiatives, including Access((TM)) controller for the PlayStation(®) 5 (PS5(®)) console, which can be customized to suit each player's needs, and Float Run off-ear headphones, which is designed with speakers floating in front of the ear to allow users to enjoy music and other audio entertainment while hearing ambient sounds around them naturally.

Main Exhibits

    --  PlayStation 5 ConsoleThe PS5 console features display and customization
        options like zoom, color correction and text size adjustments, a screen
        reader feature, closed captions, and chat transcription. In addition,
        PlayStation Studios creates a variety of industry-defining software
        titles with an array of vision, hearing, and motor accessibility
        settings. On the PlayStation Store on the PS5 console, players can
        explore Accessibility Tags to get detailed insight on supported
        accessibility features in PS5 and PS4 games.



    --  Access Controller for the PlayStation 5 ConsoleDeveloped in
        collaboration with the accessibility community, the Access controller
        features an expansive array of hardware and software customization
        options. It allows players with disabilities to create personalized
        control configurations using interchangeable button and stick caps,
        enabling longer and more comfortable gaming sessions. This customization
        caters to each player's unique strength, range of motion, and physical
        needs.



    --  Float Run Off-Ear Wireless HeadphonesFloat Run has a novel headphone
        style that positions the speaker near, but without touching, the ear
        canal, while leaving the ear safely uncovered while still delivering a
        rich sound experience. The off-ear design of Float Run provides a
        comfortable fit and high sound quality without needing to insert
        anything in the ear and keeps you in touch with your surroundings. For
        extended comfort, a pressure-free design sits on the ears of the wearer,
        so runners can enjoy comfort for longer, and without disruption.



    --  LinkBuds(®) Truly Wireless EarbudsLinkBuds have been created with a
        unique open-ring design that lets users tune into the outside world
        whenever they want, without compromising the listening experience. The
        ring driver unit features an open central diaphragm for audio
        transparency, so chatting with friends and connecting to surroundings is
        easy. Because the earbuds are small, light and do not block ears, users
        can keep them in all the time, confident they will not miss ambient
        sounds from the environment even while listening to music or
        participating in online meetings. With Wide Area Tap(*1), users can
        double or triple tap in front of either of their ears to adjust
        playback.



    --  BRAVIA((TM)) 4K OLED TVBRAVIA offers a variety of accessibility features
        based on feedback from people with disabilities who want to use the TV
        more independently, including the TalkBack screen reader for initial
        settings, a menu timeout function that allows users to keep menus on the
        screen longer, and color inversion and grayscale modes for people with
        low vision or visual sensitivities.



    --  Digital CamerasA selection of Sony's digital cameras carry a Screen
        Reader Function(*)(2) and an Enlarge Screen Function(*)(3). Users can
        confirm menus and operation screens audibly instead of visually and can
        easily change the magnification of the screen display with the simple
        press of a button operation.



    --  Retina Projection Camera kitSony created the retina projection camera
        kit "DSC-HX99 RNV kit" with a laser retinal projection technology that
        is less affected by eye's focusing ability. By combining Cyber-shot(®)
        "DSC-HX99" and QD Laser Co., Ltd.'s viewfinder "RETISSA NEOVIEWER"(
        *)(4), a digital image from the camera is directly projected to the
        retina, allowing people with difficulty using a conventional viewfinder
        a new, sharper way to view and photograph the world.



    --  Xperia 1 VSince 2021, Sony's software team has been playing a central
        role in improving a selection of original applications with input from
        employees with disabilities at Sony/Taiyo Corporation. For example, when
        the user engages the photo shooting feature, Photography Pro, it can
        inform them of the horizontal orientation information of the screen
        through sound cues.



    --  Self-fitting Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids (only in the U.S.
        market)Sony launched two self-fitting OTC hearing aids*(5) in the U.S.
        market in October 2022 with a different appearance from conventional
        hearing aids, which were developed while considering user feedback
        before and during development in collaboration with WS Audiology. The
        CRE-C10, with a sleek and discreet design that is virtually invisible,
        and the CRE-E10, which has a rechargeable battery and is Bluetooth®
        compatible*(6) letting users easily connect to streaming audio or music
        (iOS only). *(7)A dedicated smartphone application allows users to
        easily setup their OTC hearing aids and customize to their hearing
        needs.





    --  Accessible Retail DisplaySony will showcase a storefront display with
        Braille and audio product description capabilities, created in
        cooperation with the Braille Institute, a non-profit organization that
        supports the lives of people with visual impairment. The retail display
        with audio description capability has been installed in 10 stores in the
        U.S., and the Braille printing feature will be added in the near
        future.In addition to the above exhibits, Sony will hold Conference
        Sessions to showcase a selection of accessibility initiatives.



    --  Delivering Innovation for an Accessible FutureShiro Kambe, Senior
        Executive Vice President, Sony Group Corporation, and Neal Manowitz,
        President and COO of Sony Electronics North America, will share video
        messages regarding accessibility at Sony. Sony's ongoing accessibility
        initiatives will be introduced, such as collaboration with organizations
        for people with disabilities and the latest accessible products.



    --  Designing Tactile Dots for Sony's BRAVIA ProductsFrom the Home
        Entertainment area, Sony will introduce inclusive design initiatives
        that the position of terminals on TVs and soundbars that can be
        identified by touch when connecting cables, based on the concept of
        "Possible to do by myself", "Possible to do everything" and "Possible to
        enjoy together." In addition, Sony will share how its inclusive design
        approach not only solves issues for users with disabilities but also
        provides ease of use for a diverse range of users.



    --  Sony's Solutions to Accessible ImagingFrom the Imaging area, Sony will
        introduce initiatives that enable diverse users to express their
        creativity. In addition, Sony host a panel discussion about the
        importance of accessible content creation available for all creators
        with Sean Dougherty, a Director of Accessible User Experience Services
        at a non-profit organization Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., and James
        Rath, a YouTuber with low vision.

    --  Accessibility Innovations from Sony Interactive EntertainmentSony
        Interactive Entertainment, the company behind the PlayStation brand of
        products, will introduce their latest efforts in accessibility,
        including the Access controller for the PlayStation 5 console.

For further details on Sony's exhibit, please refer to the website.

*1 To adjust the operation of your LinkBuds, tap between the beginning of the ear (fovea) and earlobe, and from the top of the ear (auricle) to below the earlobe.
*2 Currently available on Alpha 7C II, Alpha 7CR, Alpha 7R V, Alpha 7 IV, Alpha 9 III, ILX-LR1, FX3, FX30, and Vlog camera ZV-1F, ZV-E1, ZV-1 II sold in North America. Supported languages vary depending on models and regions/countries where sold.
*3 Available on Alpha 7C II, Alpha 7CR, Alpha 9 III.
*4 The RETISSA NEOVIEWER is not medical equipment and is not intended to treat or assist in specific diseases or to correct vision. It may be difficult to recognize images depending on the part and degree of impairment (such as when the function of the retina is degraded).
*5 FDA cleared as OTC self-fitting hearing aid intended to amplify sound for individuals 18 years of age or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.
*6 Interoperability and compatibility among Bluetooth(®) devices vary.
*7 Sony | Hearing control app - Use app on smartphone to personalize settings. Download app at Google Play and the App Store. Network services, content, and operating system and software subject to terms and conditions and may be changed, interrupted or discontinued at any time and may require registration.

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SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc.