MKMapView often causes VoiceOver to repeatedly says "Places visible: zero"

Originator:lap.felix
Number:rdar://35503479 Date Originated:13-Nov-2017 10:29 AM
Status:Closed Resolved:
Product:Accessibility Product Version:11.2
Classification:UI/Usability Reproducible:Always
 
Summary:
MKMapView often causes VoiceOver to repeatedly says "Places visible: zero" even when there are visible places. When it happens 

Steps to Reproduce:
I wasn't able to reproduce this in a demo project. Without access to MKMapView's accessibility source code it's hard to pin-point exactly what causes this.

It happens in Transit ( https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/transit-bus-train-times/id498151501?mt=8 ), especially when turning on VoiceOver in a route’s map view (tap on a bus route in the home screen, then select the map pin icon).

I’ve also seen it happen in a free app called “Walkmeter” ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/walkmeter-walking-hiking-gps/id330594424?mt=8 ). Has been reported in a comment on this page ( https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-braille-ios-news/accessibility-bugs-ios-11-blind-and-low-vision-users-serious-minor?page=1 ). I can’t link to a comment so here’s the full relevant paragraph:
“Apart from the nightmare with the siri voices, the only significant bug I've encountered is with my walkmeter app; not sure if the issue is specific to walkmeter or if it's a voiceover bug, but basicly, what's happening is that while the app is open, VO continually says "no places visible" I tried disabling automatic text detection, but it had absolutely no effect. So, for now, I have to 3 finger doubletap to turn off speech while I'm doing my treadmill walk, and then, when I'm done, I have to turn speech back on and try to find the stop and done buttons while constantly being interrupted by the "0 places visible" message. I'd love to do a screen recording of this bug, but I don't know if I would need to send it to apple or walkmeter.”

Expected Results:
VoiceOver should only list the “Places visible” at predictable moments and should actually list them correctly all the time.

Actual Results:
Sometimes, VoiceOver will begin repeatedly saying “Places visible: zero” and it prevents the user from using the app.

Version:
11.2

Notes:

Comments

I filed a new radar: http://www.openradar.me/radar?id=5034418242584576

By lap.felix at Feb. 12, 2018, 9:50 p.m. (reply...)

Apple Developer Relations

Engineering has provided the following information regarding this issue:

Yes, please file new bug report for this.

By lap.felix at Feb. 12, 2018, 9:43 p.m. (reply...)

Felix Lapalme

Should I submit a new issue and be more clear about the fact that it isn't related to the map type ?

By lap.felix at Feb. 12, 2018, 9:43 p.m. (reply...)

Felix Lapalme

Sorry I meant that the app is called Transit. Looks like it has nothing to do with the map type because in "Walkmeter" the same issue is present and they use the standard map type. Also the issue happens when I switch the map type back to standard.

I just tried in 11.2.5 and this is still and issue and it makes our app barely useable for blind users.

By lap.felix at Jan. 23, 2018, 7:56 p.m. (reply...)

Apple Developer Relations

Please know that our engineering team has determined that this issue behaves as intended based on the information provided.

We currently don’t support POIs + Voiceover in transit mode on the map.

By lap.felix at Nov. 16, 2017, 8:48 p.m. (reply...)

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