Amazon has announced a range of new accessibility features for its Fire TV platform, aimed at improving the viewing experience for users with disabilities. The most notable addition is the "Dual Audio" capability, which allows one user to listen through a hearing aid while others in the same room can enjoy audio through the TV's built-in speakers.

The "Dual Audio" feature is specifically designed for the newly launched Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series, which was unveiled in November. This innovation enables hard-of-hearing users to share a more communal viewing experience with friends and family, without having to rely on separate audio devices. While several existing Fire TV devices already have Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) support, this is the first model that can play audio in two different outputs.

In collaboration with WS Audiology (WSA), a manufacturer of hearing aids, Amazon is also expanding ASHA support to include a wider variety of hearing aids. Users with devices such as Widex Moment BTE and RIC hearing aids can now stream audio directly from ASHA-enabled Fire TV devices, including the Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series, Fire TV Omni QLED Series, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV 4-Series, Fire TV 2-Series, and Fire TV Omni Series.

Another significant update is the introduction of new packaging designed to help customers who are blind or have low vision. Certain device packaging will feature tactile-marked QR codes that include raised UV dots for better visibility. These QR codes are positioned on the top left corner of the back panel inside the box, where the Quick Start Guide is found.

The new QR codes are already available in an increasing number of Amazon device packages, including selected Fire TVs, Echo Show models, and various Kindle devices such as the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Colorsoft, and Kindle Scribe. This innovation aims to provide a more inclusive and accessible unboxing experience for visually impaired customers.

Amazon's commitment to accessibility is a significant step forward in making its products more inclusive. The new features and updates demonstrate the company's willingness to listen to customer feedback and adapt its products to meet the needs of a diverse range of users. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it's essential that companies prioritize accessibility and inclusivity to ensure that their products are usable by everyone.

The "Dual Audio" feature and expanded ASHA support are expected to roll out soon, with no specific release date announced. However, with Amazon's continued focus on accessibility, it's likely that we'll see even more innovative features and updates in the future.