RNIB Tech Talk episodes
Showing episodes 231 to 240 of 638
WeWalk, Apple & Privacy, and Euro Truck Simulator 2
Hello there boys and girls, welcome back to another Tech Talk - whoever you are and whatever you're doing, we're happy to have you along for the ride! On this week's show, Steven, Robin, Emails Andy and special guest Shaun Preece are here, with Tim being unwell. Coming up, the team tackle the top tech news story of the week, namely that Apple are making plans to scan iPhone images for sexual abuse content of minors; putting the subject matter to one side, is this a huge invasion of everyone's privacy, or does the 'slippery slope' argument not have any legs here? Robin and Shaun break down the tech behind scanning these 'hashes', Andy admits he's had his opinion on privacy swayed by it, and Steven has even more questions. Also this week, another look at the WeWalk Smart Cane - from a small social impact project to Amazons Best Start up of the Year award, WeWalk has come far in it's short history, RNIB Connect Radio's Ellie Marsh has been catching up with the makers to see how things are going. Hang on, we have a name thief! Somebody else has a show called Tech Talk - we can't have this! Well, actually we can, because we're big fans - we're talking about Ricky's Tech Talk on YouTube, and it covers unboxing videos with a big focus on accessibility, and the host of the show is RNIB's Community Connection Coordinator for London & South East England Ricky West. RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew sat down with him to find out more. We love getting your emails! This week, we have a handful regarding Amazon Echo devices - can you connect Zoom to the earlier models? Can the Show 10 be set up with VoiceOver? What do the team suggest you could use them for outside of alarms and routines, of course with more than a few plugs for Robin and Shaun's other podcast! [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) - get your emails in quickly, we have a few email specific shows lined up over the next few weeks - send them in now to get your thoughts on air. All that, plus thunderstorms, SwitchBot, Steven's obsession with Euro Truck Simulator 2, and how often he crashes, Shaun being both loud and quiet at the same time, and news on Google's latest Pixel phone. Chat to you all soon! x
Introducing the new RNIB Talking Books Alexa skill
Welcome back to Tech Talk! This week we've got a bit of a special treat for you! Steven Scott is joined, as ever, by Robin Christopherson, as well as RNIB's Paul Porter, and Read On's Red Szell, to talk about a brand new skill available on Lady A! Yes, that's right - RNIB Talking Books are now available through Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon smart speakers using an Alexa skill. Talking Books service was first launched in 1935 and is now home to more than 30,000 audiobooks, which today are sent out to customers in CD or USB format or as digital downloads... and now on your Lady A device! Once you start accessing Talking Books through an Alexa skill, you'll be able to get reading straight away as your books will be with you instantly. As you'll be able to open any of the books on our Online Library through simple voice commands, you can make immediate changes to your reading lists when you want to, without having to wait. How do you get started with it then? Well, the library can now be accessed by asking “Alexa, open RNIB Talking Books”. Bear in mind you'll need to be a registered RNIB Library member and have access to an Amazon account. You'll also need to have the Alexa app downloaded to your phone or tablet or have an Alexa-enabled device, such as a smart speaker. Download the RNIB factsheet (https://www.rnib.org.uk/sites/default/files/TalkingBooks_AlexaSkill_FAQ.docx) for more information on how to get started.
Sight Tech Global, Smart Televisions, and Hadley Vision Resources
Hello there Tech Talk fans, welcome to episode 388! On today's show, we've got Robin, Tim, and Emails Andy joining Steven with the show chock-a-block with content and talking points. We chat to Douglas Walker, to find out about an online resource called Hadley that can advise on a wide range of areas, technology being a major one. Jo Fullerton from the RNIB Technology for Life team has an app for the green-fingered among you. We also have some quick fire news stories - Sight Tech Global going virtual, non-invasive blood sugar measuring confirmed by Apple supplier Rockley, Microsoft investing in voice technology and bringing new features to Outlook on iOS and soon on Android... and loads more! Also, a quick dip into emails, namely an email aimed at Steven regarding accessible smart televisions - what is out there that he could recommend, and how troublesome is the set up process? [email protected] for all your emails! Chat soon :)
Windows 365, Ditching Facebook, and Returning to Safe Offices
Out of the sweltering heatwave come sweltering Steven, roasting Robin, Tanned Tim and Emails Andy, ice lollies in hand, and fans blaring, to bring you another sun-kissed Tech Talk! We tackle the topic of Windows 365, what is that, you ask? Well, fresh off of the Windows 11 announcement, and the new Surface hardware, Microsoft announced a new service that allows business customers to access Cloud PCs from anywhere. It's like remote access, only... better? For now we only have details on the business product, as WFH becomes more and more frequent. Speaking of the office, with the easing of restrictions making it possible for us to once again go back into the workplace, how safe are our office environments and can technology help stop the spread of further disease? We hear a report on UV lighting detailing such worries. Steven's decided to ditch Facebook, because it was ruining his productivity. How many hours can you lose to Facebook Watch? Well, quite a few it seems. Andy warns not to even consider trying TikTok, as you'll fall down a similar rabbit hole! Also, Yvonne Brookes from RNIB's Technology for Life team returns, seemingly recording from Spain! She talks us through the free app Google Lookout. What's that, you want more?! Fine! Local sight loss charities are often the first port of call for those who have been just been told they are losing their vision. They offer hope and advice as well as peer support that can make a real difference. One area of support most often requested is technology support. Steven spoke to Debbie and Mel from the local organisation Suffolk Sight to find out what they offer. All that, plus vortexes, Hitchhikers Guide, a very brief hands-on review of Steven's new USB headset, carbon footprints... and well done if you spotted Andy reading out an email we had featured last week - he didn't realise until after we had finished the show. Whoops! If you want your emails to be read out once, and maybe even twice, contact [email protected] - it'll be featured in an upcoming show.
Echo Show 10 Review, Radio on VLC, and Plenty of Emails
Hello to you, and to you... and especially you! Tech Talk is here once again with another deep dive into the world of accessible gadgets and gismos. This week, Steven, Robin, Tim and Emails Andy tackle more from the emails inbox, including emails meant for other departments! Aside from that, we dish out tips and tech must-haves when entering the workplace for the first time - what headphones work best with JAWS, that wont cut out the sound of the phone ringing? What is best for reading documents, that wont cut text off? Also, Robin (and Faith) give us an audio demo of the Amazon Echo Show 10 device - the screen can follow you round the room, always keeping you in frame, but does that make them any less accessible to blind people, and also... is it worth the steep price tag? Remember the good old days of using your FM, AM or Long Wave radio to tune into your favourite far flung stations? Did you know that you can use the latest apps on your smartphone or computer to achieve the same result? Dinos from RNIB's Technology For Life team returns to talk to us about listening to radio stations through the VLC media app. All that, plus complaints about the temperature, hoodles, a whole load of Rachels, firmware installation issues, accessible nightmares, and a big woofer. Stick around until the end to hear a plug from Tim! For your emails, contact [email protected] - it'll be featured in an upcoming show. Until we speak again!
Clubhouse, Coffee, and Clearing the Email Inbox
Tech Talk is back... where would you be without us!? Steven, Robin and Emails Andy are all here, as is Tim, who has finally made it back from Clearwater, Florida (via Chicago) to rejoin Team Tech. On the show this week, the team tackle the email inbox, including subjects such as: Clubhouse: is it nothing more than an elite club, or is there truly room for everyone? Microsoft breaking Outlook, and how listener Gordon and Be My Eyes helped them fix it How setting up an Amazon Echo device in someone else's home can sometimes lead to unexpected embarrassment Phones with keypads, and keyboards for phones Problems with the Apple podcast player, and what alternatives are out there, and Super helpful tips for Supernova All that, plus a rather in-depth discussion about smart coffee makers, which leaves us all drooling (until we heard the price, and that it only does espresso!), slippers, woes about the weather, post-work Talkback options, and listeners lettings their spouses listen to Tech Talk because they are fans of Steven! More proof we need these lockdown restrictions to end, we're all going stir crazy! [email protected] for all your emails, as always!
Windows 11, Wearable Tech, and Learning Braille Remotely
What's the time? Why, it's Tech Talk o'clock! Steven is joined by Robin, Emails Andy and 'special' guest Shaun Preece this week - where's Tim you may be asking, well, he's still on his holidays. The fearsome foursome sit down to discuss Windows 11 - what will be included, when it's coming, and what the accessibility features might be like. The hot phrase on everyone's techy lips this week is TPM - well Shaun's here to explain why it's being talked about so much with regards to upgrading from Windows 10. Also on the show this week - wearable technology! The world of wearable tech is very much available and accessible to the blind community via smart glasses and more, some of which even claims it can help improve vision. Mark Evans from RNIB’s Technology for Life team and shares his findings on the latest gadgets out there. The pandemic has cost many of us the ability to learn new skills and meet new people. However for one group of blind people, they used the latest tech to continue their desire to learn braille. The remote braille group got in touch with RNIB’s Community Connector team to get support in setting up a group via Microsoft Teams. Louise, Aneeba and Trish joined RNIB volunteer trainer Chantal to start the course, helped by RNIB’s Midlands and East England Community Connector Amy Woodward. Volunteer Chantal told Steven Scott how it all came about. If that's not all, we also dip our toes briefly into the emails inbox, with one listener less than impressed with Sky! If you would like your opinions aired, you can email [email protected], (mailto:[email protected],) and it'll be added to the pile. Chat to you all next week!
Tech Talk: Accessible Gaming Special
A special Tech Talk for you all this week, as we have a look into accessible gaming! Steven is joined by five visually impaired gamers (Lynette, Kim, Abbie, Sophie and Matt) discussing the challenges and joys that gaming while blind gives. All part of RNIB’s campaign called Gaming for RNIB (https://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising/do-your-own-fundraising/gaming-rnib) . Also joining us, disabled gamers Steve Saylor and Courtney Craven share their views on the latest virtual E3 conference. And also this week, RNIB’s Joanne Wilson from the Technology for Life team answers customer’s queries on the most accessible TVs on the market. Share your thoughts on accessible gaming with the team! [email protected] for all your emails, as ever
Sky Q, Diabetes monitoring, and Voice Recording apps
Tech Talk is back in your ears once again, and boy... we're sounding good! It's a full house this week - Steven's in the big chair, and is joined by Robin, Tim and Emails Andy, and there's a lot packed into today's hour! Firstly, we're talking TV. Unfortunately, television set top boxes have for many years been a challenge for blind and partially sighted people, as they haven’t had accessibility features to speak aloud or make clearly what is on screen. We've been chatting to Fraser Stirling from Sky Q about how that is changing, with new features such as Voice Guidance. We also have a listener review on Sky Q from 'Friend of the Show' Kelly. Speaking of regular listeners, Julian II follows up from our Technology for Life feature from a few weeks back with a personal review of the update to Google Lookout. It's such a promising app, but is it winning over the self proclaimed 'negative' Julian? Also this week, Chris Turner joins us from RNIB's Technology for Life team to introduce us to the voice recording app Just Press Record, which is available on many SmartPhones, the gang talk about the next big Windows update, for Diabetes Awareness Week we're looking at what tech is out there to help monitor our diabetes with Thurston Bluhm, and, after a few weeks break, we crack open the steamer trunk of emails, now creeping back up to eight pages - Is Sky Go accessible on Android and Windows devices? More on the topic on Aftershoks headphones, NVDA vs Jaws, the much-debated RNIB Radio, pigs wearing lipstick, and is Robin really an undercover Amazon agent? We welcome your comments on anything from today's show, be it Sky Q, diabetes, recording devices, or Google Lookout - email the team at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and hear your thoughts read out by the silky smooth English tones of Emails Andy! Chat to you all next week!
#WWDC21 Breakdown
Well well well; look who the cat dragged in...! It's time for the glorious return of Tech Talk - Have you missed us? Steven's back, and is joined by Robin and Tim for a show dedicated to WWDC 2021- Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is held annually, and this year, held online. It was a two hour marathon of new software developments, IOS improvements and generally what new things the Apple whiz kids have been working on since we last saw them. So what do the guys make of it? Was there any mention of accessibility? What new advancement are the team looking forward to the most? Thank you for bearing with us whilst we were absent over the past few weeks, and thank you for the emails and messages regarding Steven. Our inbox is starting to collate nicely, so if you'd like to share your thoughts about this years' WWDC, or anything else on your mind, the address is [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , and you'll have your musings read out on a future episode! Until then, stay safe!