No accessibility for blind and Low Vision users
Accessibility warning for VoiceOver users regarding Smart Life and Dreamegg
I wanted to share my experience in case it saves someone else some frustration.
I’ve been using products that rely on the Smart Life app for nearly 10 years. Throughout that time, VoiceOver accessibility has been consistently poor. Buttons are often unlabeled, controls can be difficult or impossible to use, and app updates sometimes change the layout or button order, making features that previously worked inaccessible.
Recently I purchased a Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock. I specifically chose it because I was hoping to move away from Smart Life and use a manufacturer’s own app instead.
Unfortunately, dream egg also uses SmartLife! I thought about exchanging the clock for a different model but wanted to try their company app. Dreamegg’s app is also not accessible with VoiceOver.
I contacted both companies.
Smart Life responded that they would pass my feedback along.
Dreamegg responded that their app currently does not support VoiceOver functionality or compatibility with screen readers and that they would share my feedback with their product team.
I’m posting this because many smart home products sold in North America either use the Smart Life platform or their own companion apps, and accessibility information is rarely mentioned before purchase.
If you’re a VoiceOver user, I recommend checking whether a product’s app is actually accessible before buying it, especially if it depends on Smart Life or a proprietary app manufactured by companies outside of North America.
I wanted to share my experience in case it saves someone else some frustration.
I’ve been using products that rely on the Smart Life app for nearly 10 years. Throughout that time, VoiceOver accessibility has been consistently poor. Buttons are often unlabeled, controls can be difficult or impossible to use, and app updates sometimes change the layout or button order, making features that previously worked inaccessible.
Recently I purchased a Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock. I specifically chose it because I was hoping to move away from Smart Life and use a manufacturer’s own app instead.
Unfortunately, dream egg also uses SmartLife! I thought about exchanging the clock for a different model but wanted to try their company app. Dreamegg’s app is also not accessible with VoiceOver.
I contacted both companies.
Smart Life responded that they would pass my feedback along.
Dreamegg responded that their app currently does not support VoiceOver functionality or compatibility with screen readers and that they would share my feedback with their product team.
I’m posting this because many smart home products sold in North America either use the Smart Life platform or their own companion apps, and accessibility information is rarely mentioned before purchase.
If you’re a VoiceOver user, I recommend checking whether a product’s app is actually accessible before buying it, especially if it depends on Smart Life or a proprietary app manufactured by companies outside of North America.
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