JDHMB

Q: Problem using switch control to play music

We are trying to use switch control for a student to be able to independently play music.  I have it set up to use the screen as the switch.  We can get it to auto scan and she can select the music app.  She can then auto scan and select when it gets to play.  But then it plays the music just a second and then starts scanning again.  How do I stop it from scanning once she selects play?

iPhone 4S, iOS 8.2

Posted on Mar 30, 2015 12:04 PM

Close

Q: Problem using switch control to play music

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by OneSwitchGuy,

    OneSwitchGuy OneSwitchGuy Apr 8, 2015 12:16 AM in response to JDHMB
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Apr 8, 2015 12:16 AM in response to JDHMB

    The only thing I can think of that might cause this is if you have the Speech setting turned on and it's speaking over the music as it scans. If your student doesn't need audio feedback, I'd recommend turning it off. If she does, try setting the Loops to 1 in Switch Control's preferences. This way, if she presses play and waits for the scanning to stop by completing one loop, her music will then fade up. And if you have Group Items on, her wait will be as short as possible.

  • by OneSwitch.org.uk,

    OneSwitch.org.uk OneSwitch.org.uk May 26, 2015 11:50 AM in response to JDHMB
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 26, 2015 11:50 AM in response to JDHMB

    I'm wondering if this is simply something that is currently impossible, if I understand your problem. It would need an extra mode in the operating system

     

    Take a look at this video at the 3minute 30 mark: https://youtu.be/-zlgmgBmqlA?t=3m31s

     

    Would that "fixed point mode" do the trick for you?

     

    Barrie

  • by lschnitta1234,

    lschnitta1234 lschnitta1234 Nov 30, 2015 3:18 PM in response to JDHMB
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 30, 2015 3:18 PM in response to JDHMB

    Pick up a wireless interface. You iPad responds to it as a keyboard, and you'd be surprised what you can do without using iOs switch settings. We use a bluetooth interface and plug in the student's regular switches. Music/podcasts/youtube respond to F8 (to play and pause). F9 to advance the playlist, F10 to mute (check out your mac keyboard for more media shortcuts). It's the interface that allows you to assign a keystroke to a button press. I've been doing this since iOs 5 when I found bluetooth interfaces!


    Another cool trick is using the "up arrow" in the camera/video app on your iPad. You can take pics with a single switch press.

     

    The Pretorian Applicator has F8 in media mode (port 1). It has room for up to 4 external buttons, not included (it even has a timed play of 10 seconds) Pair your iPad with the applicator, switch on media mode, plug a switch into 4th port to play music for 10 seconds at a time. Works well with switch apps (space/enter) Just assign a keystroke to a port and go for it.

     

    The Blue2 has two switches built into the interface. You can program it with a USB keyboard in 5 seconds to do F8, plug in another switch and you can simulate a timed play.

  • by OneSwitchGuy,

    OneSwitchGuy OneSwitchGuy Dec 7, 2015 3:24 PM in response to JDHMB
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Dec 7, 2015 3:24 PM in response to JDHMB

    With the introduction of Recipes in iOS 9, it is now possible to specific actions to switches. For example, in the Music app, I have a Recipe so that each time I press my switch, it taps the Play/Pause button. So I don’t have to worry about the timing of Auto Scanning and even Item/Point Mode, I can just control my music directly with my switch.