RNIB Tech Talk episodes
Showing episodes 251 to 260 of 638
Clubhouse Accessibility, M1 vs Intel, and Wrestling Octopuses
Time for a little taste of Tech Talk! On today's show, Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy are joined by a new voice - please welcome Callum Stoneman! Steven throws Callum right into the deep end early on, with questions like "who are you?" and "what have you done with your life?", but we soon move on to less threatening topics such as first PC's, braille, preferred smartphone makers and more. Also on today's show, we talk a little more at length about Clubhouse, and the recent update which aims to improve accessibility. Regarding the chat app as a whole, Tim and Steven are a little bit addicted, Robin's nonplussed, and Andy has total FOMO, being the Android fan he is. So has the update done enough? Also, what about security, or moderation? In one of our emails this week, a listener asks Steven to compare the Apple M1 Chip with an Intel-based Apple machine, specifically if battery life any more important than overall performance, we talk a little more about iOS vs Android, but this time a listener asking: "what about Synapptic?" and Steven compares something to wrestling an octopus! We sadly ran out of time to mention in this week's show, but Robin wanted to talk about the next AbilityNet Accessibility Insights webinar series, this time with The Valuable 500 campaign founder Caroline Casey! Find out more here: https://abilitynet.org.uk/webinars/accessibility-insights-valuable-500-march-2021 To email us your questions, [email protected] - still plenty of regal titles to give out! Catch you all next week :)
Geek Out - Alana AI
A little something extra for all you podcast subscribers! On this episode of Geek Out, Steven speaks to Oliver Lemon from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, and Robin Spinks from RNIB to discuss Alana AI, a spin-out company from the university and how their new conversational AI could help RNIB deliver improved services in the future. Find out more here: https://alanaai.com/
Screen Readers in 2021, RNIB Talking Microwave, and AD on Britbox
Are you sitting comfortably? Well let's begin! Hello, and welcome back to Tech Talk, and boy-o-boy what a show we have for you this week - it's jam-packed full of fun, frolics and fabulousness! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and Andy... and Shaun Preece! Yes, the friendly neighbourhood shed-dweller returns to his old haunting ground. Why, you may ask? Well it's to cover the topic of screen readers - we're now in 2021, so what's the best for use at home right now, especially for those starting out with screen readers? Yes, we know JAWS is great for professional use - to help you whilst you're at work, but this is about use out of the office. Shaun's an NVDA user - why did he choose that over others on the market such as VoiceOver, Narrator, or Dolphin? Can he persuade the others on the show to switch to? And why is Steven in trouble with his wife over Narrator? If you would like to read Robin's historical look back at screen readers on the AbilityNet website, you can do so here: https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/microsoft-narrator-turns-21-we-celebrate-coming-age Also this week, Steven's back in the kitchen to give a much more detailed demo of the RNIB Talking Microwave, our Technology for Life featurette this week is from Mark Evans, and it's all about keystrokes on your computer. The website Mark mentions is www.shortcutworld.com (http://www.shortcutworld.com/) , Clubhouse and Discord, Britbox gets some Audio Description, and we cover a handful of emails including feedback on the smartphone vs computer debate, our favourite biscuits, and the Fintie Keyboard case. To give us your thoughts on what screen reader you find best for personal use, email us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and you'll hear us read it out over the coming weeks. But wait.... there's more! Keep a close eye on your podcast feed this coming Wednesday (3rd March), as we have the return of Tech Talk Geek Out - we had so much to cram into this week's show, we needed some extra time to fit it all in. No need to subscribe elsewhere, it'll be in your usual TT feed. See you soon :)
Computer vs Smartphone, Louie Voice Control, and the Clubhouse app
Welcome back one and all, it's Tech Talk 368! It's a bit crowded in Tech Talk Towers today, no room to swing the proverbial cat - not only do we have our regulars Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz and Emails Andy, but we're joined by Dean Ormond, radio presenter extraordinaire, who comes pre-loaded with his own tech question... what's your preferred choice in 2021, phone or computer? When it comes to everyday tasks, like banking, shopping or social media, do you reach for the PC, or the smartphone? Is it as simple as saying computer for work, mobile for personal? Also on today's show, the guys talk about their first few days trying the Clubhouse app, the new 'invitation-only' social networking app, which is predominately all about audio. How does it rank in terms of accessibility? Do Steven and Tim see it having legs to rival WhatsApp? Our very own Robin has been chatting to people - we hear his interview with Pramit from the Louie Voice Control app, which allows users to do everything within supported apps with just voice commands, which includes apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Uber, Phone calling and more. Also on today's episode, a brief dive into emails, mainly to find out what caused Steven to spend more of his money again, we also chat red sauce vs brown sauce, made-up towns in Scotland, the Apple Magic Keyboard, exploding technology, our favourite biscuits, a possible future Apple event, and the long-awaited microwave review that Steven's been promising for weeks! We'd love to get your feedback on computer vs phone - what do you find yourself going to first when it comes to everyday tasks? Or maybe you'd like to give your early thoughts on Clubhouse? Hey, maybe you'd even like to make a suggestion about what Steven 'Egon Ronay' Scott should try cooking in his microwave... just no more beans, please! Drop your email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and we'll cover them on an upcoming show. Joining us on next week's show to talk screen readers.... Shaun Preece! Yeah, remember him? No? Okay, not to worry… chat to you next week!
Tackling the Inbox, Learning Welsh, and Spilling the Beans
Yes, it is us, the Tech Talk crew... We're back - they cant keep us away! Joining Steven today - Robin, Tim and Emails Andy... and speaking of emails, let's talk about our inbox - over the past few months we have been lamenting about how far behind we are; well, we've spent some time offline getting our ducks in a row - a spring clean, if you will. So some of your questions have been deliberately redirected to the RNIB's Technology for Life Team to tackle, and we'll be getting to those over the coming weeks, but there are still some that we could comment on, on the show - and that is what today is all about! We cover some feedback on our two Android specific shows from a few weeks ago - how does Robin react to being accused of bias? What is it that's so gripping about the Apple eco-system? Whilst on the subject of Apple vs Android, we also talk at length about the VoiceOver rotor on iPhone, with one listener calling it a bugbear, so we have some solutions. We also talk more on NaviLens, following up on the Technology for Life feature we included a few episodes ago, with a listener telling us about how they use them. Also on the show: Betamax vs VHS, spilling tea and beans, Sky Gnome, iOS rotor issues, new ears, Television Sound Receivers, cheesy pasta, and learning Welsh with Robin and Andy. For any emails, or even voice messages, send them to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) Chat to you next week!
Smart Speakers with David Ward, and more from the Email Inbox
Hello everyone, it's Tech Talk o'clock! This week's show is split into two halves; firstly, Steven, Robin, and Tim are joined by David Ward, host of the Echo Tips podcast (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/echo-tips-new-vision-MS1Zg38freu/) to talk all things smart speakers! The show is part of the New Vision Programme run by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Virginia in the US. What's the one thing that would make Robin leave the Echo family, and head over to Google? What annoys Steven the most about owning a smart speaker? What productivity skills available on the Echo range are Tim's most commonly used? In the second half, we're joined by Andy to dip our techy toes in the pool of emails from you, dear listener! Among the topics covered today - more love for the Victor Reader Stream and the Orbit Writer, a final glance over a few responses on the Braille illiteracy topic, overly long audiobooks, and not much love for the female American voices on talking microwaves! You too can have your email read out on air... maybe even get a regal email title to go with it! Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) with your thoughts, feelings or burning questions, and we'll get to them in the coming weeks. Until next week, stay safe!
More on Android, and what's trending in Specialist Tech
Good day to you all! We continue our Android theme this week inviting Steve Nutt from Computer Room Services (https://www.comproom.co.uk/) to join Steven, Robin and Tim to talk about the benefits Android can bring to blind people, and the hot specialist tech that's flying out the door. Also, Yvonne Brooks from RNIB's Technology for Life team joins the guys to talk about the new LIDAR scanner in the iPhone 12 Pro range, and gives her views on the benefits of the new tech. Also, keep your ears peeled for a really bad acapella joke from Mr Scott! For all your tech questions, queries and confusions, email [email protected], and we'll feature it on an upcoming show. Coming up next week, David Ward from the Echo Tips podcast talking all about getting the most out of Lady A!
Is this the year Android rivals Apple for Smartphone Accessibility?
Here at Tech Talk Towers we are, on occasion, told we talk about Apple a little too much. In our defence, we do so because we own a lot of their products, and they are far and away leading the pack when it comes to accessibility in smartphone tech. But that doesn't mean we should brush Android under the carpet. This week, Steven, Robin and Andy welcome Dinos from RNIB's Technology for Life team cover Android with much more clarity than usual. Hot off the release of a new Samsung flagship smartphone, we start by talking about the Galaxy S21; just how impressive is it? If the selling points are the screen quality, and the amazing camera ability, is it really something blind and partially sighted smartphone users would buy? Maybe the higher-end priced Android phones aren't for you - what's out there in the low-cost range? Are these phones still worth looking into? Accessibility is also a hot topic - as said above, we know Apple leads the way in terms of making their phones accessible - how far behind are Android? Could 2021 be the year where they catch up, or even overtake? Also, we talk more about Launchers - we've covered this in the past with Andy talking about how he uses Nova Launcher Pro on his Huawei, and how this comes with finger gestures, customisable home screens and app drawers, Dinos tells us all about Launchers with low vision users in mind, such as Big Launcher. Also on this week, emails - Svetlana from Siberia emails in about Braille, we hear about Neatebox being increasingly available over one part of Scotland, and more on Bumpon alternatives! We'd love to know your thoughts on Android smartphones - if you own one, or are thinking of buying one - what's swaying you one way or the other? If you're thinking of leaving the Apple ecosystem - why? What's been the final straw? Email us at [email protected], (mailto:[email protected],) and it'll feature on an upcoming show. Here's a little leaser - more Android talk coming next week too! See you then :)
Are the New Apple Products Living Up to the Hype?
Time for Tech Talk! On this week's show, Steven, Robin and Andy are joined by birthday boy David Woodbridge to talk all about Apple! With Steven and David having a selection of new Apple products, the guys talk about how they're finding the MacBook Air, the AirPod Max headphones, and Series 6 Apple Watch - has the MacBook and the M1 chip met expectations? Are the headphones comfortable to wear continuously? How does Braille Display support work on the Watch? Also, we ask the daunting question... have any of the team tried Apple Fitness+? Also on this week, RNIB's Technology For Life team return! Joanne Wilson joins us to tell us all about some popular iOS14 features we may or may not know about. In amongst all that, we talk about: vino, thick hair, commissions on jokes, Be My Eyes and odd phone calls, new speakers, candles, crisps on the couch, condensation, and, poo. Yes, we do apologise if you're eating whilst listening this week. If you have a question needing an answer, and you'd like the team to tackle it, email [email protected], (mailto:[email protected],) and it'll feature on an upcoming show, we promise! If you'd like to follow David on Twitter, you can here (https://twitter.com/dwoodbridge) ! Chat to you all next week!
Seeing AI update, Braille books on the Orbit Reader 20, and Google Nest tracking sleep
Brand new year, same old Tech Talk! Welcome back everyone, we hope your Christmas and New Year was as good as current situations allow, and that 2021 has started as close to promising as possible. The team of Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy return for our first official TT of the new year (even though we have been on already... shhh). On today's episode, the team talk about the 'World' update to Seeing AI, which utilises the LIDAR tech found in the latest iPhones. Sadly this means the only person to be able to test it so far is the one in the group who likes shiny new Apple things - Steven! We get his thoughts on locating mugs, dogs, and everything in between. Also, Robin's telling us all about an update to Google Nest series, and the introduction of sleep tracking. Some of us already use phone apps to monitor how much of a good nights kip we got; we'd love to hear if you think this is a good idea or not. We also tackle emails - Is it worth looking into an Apple TV, if the Amazon Fire Stick seems to offer it already? There's also a rather spicy email about the guys not giving NVDA a fair enough try. Will any of the team fancy using NVDA for six weeks? The TFL team also join us twice this episode, Ben talks us through the roll out of some online advice sessions for parents with blind children - If you need some technical support, such as help with JAWS, or braille displays, RNIB is at hand. Ben also talks us a step by step guide on how to get braille books onto your Orbit Reader 20 - very handy indeed! All that, plus spilling tea, WhatsApp privacy, thrashing about in bed, Kenny G, freedom of speech, doorbells, Audible Sync, and reverse engineering Steven's brain. PLUG! If you want to attend the Accessibility Insights with the European Disability Forum, taking place on Tuesday 19 January 2021, at 1pm GMT, and hosted by Robin and featuring Alejandro Moledo, you can register here (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6816076171318/WN_ppemTXTORgidTmxTdXSEww) , or find more information here (http://abilitynet.org.uk/insights-EDF) ! SECOND PLUG! Are you an avid video gamer? Guide Dogs want to launch a new gaming fundraising campaign in 2021 and we need a small team of enthusiastic game lovers who can help provide us with the insight we need. You’ll have the chance to feed into ideas, share your experience and help us turn Guide Dogs into a gaming savvy charity! To find out more, email [email protected]. Catch you all next week!