Hands-on with Microsoft's brilliantly simple Surface Adaptive Kit

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Hands-on with Microsoft's brilliantly uncomplicated Surface Adaptive Kit

Accessibility in tech has never been more than critical, and Microsoft is taking the lead with its $15 kit.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

With the world embracing technology in simply about all aspects of our daily lives, the notion that accessibility should play an of import role is critical to Microsoft's vision. It's one that the company is taking the pb on and i that other tech companies similar Apple and Google need to start taking more seriously.

The $15 Surface Adaptive Kit is, at its heart, a elementary creation: Information technology's effectively a pack of labels with various colors and textures meant to improve the usability of Microsoft'due south Surface products. Of course, anyone can utilize these on any device, non simply Surface, every bit the need and functionality are universal.

Microsoft sent over a sample of the kit for u.s. to look at. Here'due south what you need to know about it.

Surface Adaptive Kit: Then simple

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

The Surface Adaptive Kit parcel is clean, minimalist, as expected from the Surace team. At that place's no fussy shrink wrap, stickers that need to be peeled off, or any other unnecessary barriers to usage.

Opening it upward, y'all're greeted with a QR code to scan for instructions and usage. That link takes you to this quick guide on how to use the labels, which ones are for what, and some rudimentary directions. I say rudimentary only because I recall the guide could use a few more examples and better demonstrate the keycap applicator.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal

Placing the labels onto any device is quite unproblematic as only the eye function is sticky, allowing some forgiveness for aligning and straightening later on plonking it downwards. I'thousand going to assume those with visual or physical impairments will need assistance to place these stickers in the offset place as they tin can be challenging to handle.

The most convenient labels are headphones, power buttons, and various connectivity ports.

While Microsoft makes this kit for people with disabilities, it tin can exist used by anyone who wants a uncomplicated tactile line/bar to signify where the Type-C port is without having to wait. They're akin to the bumps on keyboards for the F and J keys to center yourself before typing.

Speaking of, at that place are labels for the keyboard, including pointer keys, which tin can be helpful for any person who desires more tactile usability when using their Surface devices.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Some pull tabs tin can be placed on Surface Pro or any laptop to help open the kickstand or lids for those with dexterity challenges. Ane of them even allows for a lanyard, but, unfortunately, one is not included in the box, so you'll need to procure your own.

Surface Adaptive Kit: A large pace in the right direction

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

In that location'south nothing revolutionary about creating various labels for hardware to help those with disabilities. Merely Microsoft is the beginning major tech company, to our knowledge, to build the ethos of inclusivity at this level for consumers. Merely put, it'southward thoughtful and smart. Not only does information technology assistance an often-disregarded demographic, only information technology's adept business too, equally anybody needs technology, regardless of their abilities. If such moves help win over more customers for Microsoft, everyone wins.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Microsoft even took the fourth dimension to work with people with disabilities to make this kit, including the packaging, something that seems like a no-brainer but can be hands overlooked. But this offset step is something we exercise not run into plenty of from other companies, and that's a shame.

While something like Microsoft's Xbox Adaptive Controller is more uppercase intensive to design and bring to market place, you can't say the aforementioned about the Surface Adaptive Kit. That raises the question of why more companies aren't at the forefront of such a movement.

At to the lowest degree Microsoft is setting the example here, and while the Surface Adaptive Kit is a seemingly small gesture, it'due south a big step in the correct in making sure everyone tin can be role of this tech revolution.

Let'due south just promise the community embraces this projection and makes it the new norm.

Accessibility for all

Surface Adaptive Kit

The Surface Adaptive Kit is a range of accessories designed to meliorate the usability and accessibility of whatever laptop or tablet device, and it's coming soon to the Microsoft Shop.

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Daniel Rubino

Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Central. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007 back when this site was chosen WMExperts (and afterwards Windows Telephone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, laptops, and modern computing. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/hands-microsofts-brilliant-surface-adaptive-kit

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