RNIB Tech Talk episodes
Showing episodes 261 to 270 of 654
Blind Android Users, Covid Test help from Be My Eyes, and the RNIB Digital Radio
Here we are, once again, talking accessible technology on the aptly named Tech Talk! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and emails Andy for this week, as well as a whole host of special guests! Firstly, Steven has been chatting to the team at http://www.blindandroidusers.com, for an in-depth talk about Android and accessibility, availability, popularity, as well as the updates to TalkBack, Android Braille options, and taking the first steps away from a certain smartphone rival! Also on the show, Steven gives a full and detailed, hands on review of the new RNIB digital radio (https://shop.rnib.org.uk/rnib-digital-radio-89822) , including the features and functions it has. Not only that, we hear a clip from an interview from RNIB Connect Radio's Ellie Marsh on how Be My Eyes can help you with your Home Covid tests, we very briefly mention the Apple event which is happening today (April 20th), (but we'll save that for another time), and we tackle your emails and voicemails, including a couple more tips on productivity. To email us your thoughts on the topics we covered today, email [email protected], and you'll hear it in an upcoming show. If you'd like to find out more about Blind Droid Users, you can find them on your podcast app of choice, as well as smart speakers, and on internet enabled victor reader devices. You can follow them on Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlindDroidUsers) here, or join their mailing list sending an email to to [email protected] Chat to you all soon!
New RNIB product catalogue, Echo Show 10, and accessible gaming
Hi there! Welcome back to Tech Talk. There is loads and loads and loads in today's show, how on earth we cram everything in to one hour is beyond comprehension! Firstly, we can say that Steven, Robin and Andy are re-joined by Tim once again, after a brief absence - welcome back Mr Schwartz! On today's show, we talk about some new products coming soon from the RNIB that has Steven all giddy! The new product guide was revealed at the start of April, and we talk through some of the items available - full demos from Steven coming soon, if he can ever stop saying the word "excited"! Also this week, Steven chats with Dennis Stansbury, Amazon’s UK Country Manager for Alexa Experience and Devices, about the Echo Show 10 - the newest in the 'Lady A' range of smart speakers, which includes a 10.1" HD screen that moves automatically and always keeps you in the frame - a big plus for video calls, and following recipes in the kitchen! Our Technology for Life team feature comes via Fraser Fleming of Triple Tap Tech in Scotland, who is talking all about accessible gaming! What's that, you want more? Fine! We even have time to dip our toes into the pool of emails - this week, moving from PC to Mac, and what that means for those switching from Jaws to Voiceover. All that, plus clamshell phones, QVC, Perky Duck, sunsets, ruminating, Demolition Man, and being covered in chocolate. We love to read your emails, so if you have thoughts on the Echo Show 10, gaming consoles and accessibility, the new products from Amazon or anything in between... [email protected] P.S. Coming soon to this feed - a special Tech Talk Geek Out podcast on Aira! Chat to you all next week :)
Google Lookout, Smart Crosswords, and a handful of emails
Good day, lovely people! On today's TT, Steven, Robin and Andy are once again joined by Shaun to talk all manner of wonderful things! Some big news to come from Sky TV last week - Sky Q now gives more control to visually impaired customers, thanks to the service’s latest update, including a new Voice Guidance feature, which has got everyone all giddy! Also, we hear all about Google Lookout, as Davinder Kullar from RNIB's Technology For Life team explains all. Robin's having a few cross words with Lady A this week too - did you know you can do crosswords (or play crosswords, according to Steven), on your Echo device? In emails this week, defending NaviLens, QR codes, and a question about cooking hobs not being accessible. Finally... Get well soon, Tim! Chat to you all next Tuesday!
Tech Tips for Managing Workflow, RNIB Braille Library changes, and Sharky
Do you ever feel overwhelmed, like you're spinning far too many plates, and that things are getting on top of you? How many unread emails do you have? How many times a day does your work phone ring? Well, we here at Tech Talk feel your pain - so we've gathered the crew to talk about some 'Top Tech Talk Tech Tips' to help battle workflow, productivity and time management! Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson and Emails Andy return with self proclaimed Tech Talk black sheep Shaun Preece, to talk about overflowing email inboxes, FOMO and learning to switch off from 'work mode', prioritizing tasks, and being 'overfaced'! There are some really helpful tips on getting the most out of Outlook, Notepad, phone apps, and more. Also this week, we hear from Mohammed Atif from the RNIB Technology for Life team, this week introducing us to Sharky, the JAWS 2021 voice assistant. In emails we talk about Clubhouse accessibility, and using NVDA as a first-time PC user, we hear a clip from Toby Davey's recent interview with Dave Williams about the new RNIB Braille Library on demand service starting April 2021, and we also talk a bit about 'Calls', the new Apple TV+ show which is all about audio! All that, plus Hells Angels, A Star is Born, Lord Doctor, Greenland, and we send out best wishes to Tim, who is recovering from the after-effects of his COVID jag - get well soon, Mr S! To email your thoughts and feelings: [email protected] PLUG! Robin will be talking all things accessibility with Emma Pratt-Richens, Senior Research Engineer (Accessibility Specialist) at the BBC - Tuesday 6 April at 1pm. It's free to register, click here (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6416170283101/WN_K1rJdDg1T1WGLh0Qlhht1A) ! Other up-coming webinars can be found at http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars Back next week!
One Year of Lockdown - A Tech Perspective
Good day Tech Talk fans! We need a name for you... Talkies? Tekkers? If you have a better name, email in ;) Anyway, welcome to this week's show, and it's a bit of a special one this week, with a particular theme - Joining Steven and Robin this week are Madleen Bluhm and Ben Rendle from the RNIB's Technology For Life team. It's been one whole year of COVID-related restrictions, in the UK at least. As of today, around 40% of the UK has been vaccinated - it seems like only yesterday we were worried about loo paper shortages, and getting money back from booked summer holidays. Steven and his regular contributors have been recording Tech Talk now from our home offices, our spare rooms, and wherever there is space, since episode 317. Today, on episode 372, we look back at an unprecedented twelve months. What can we make of the last year, from a technology perspective? Have we seen any positives since last March? What about Madleen and Ben - have some of the questions they've been asked in the TFL team been challenging, or has it opened up new tech possibilities? We'd love to know what you've made of Working From Home, online banking, video conferencing software, dealing with limitations of travel and seeing family. Email us at [email protected] One final note - there is a light at the end of this long tunnel we've been in. We hope Tech Talk has helped you over the last year, that the show has kept you company in times of isolation, given you laughs when some days it's been tough to smile, been a companion in times where we've not seen our colleagues, family and friends. For those of you who have not only listened along, but followed government restrictions, kept your distance, worn your masks and washed your hands - thank you.
IKEA's audio catalogue, LIDAR, and Hungry Hippos
Good day to you all! Welcome to another Tech Talk, brought to you by RNIB Connect Radio. This week marks the one year anniversary of self-isolating, working from home, and social distancing from our friends, extended family and co-workers - time flies, eh? Let Tech Talk cheer you up as spring is just around the corner! This week's episode, featuring Steven, Robin, Tim and Emails Andy, covers the news and talking points from the week - did you know there's an audio version of the IKEA catalogue now online? Well, it's less of a full catalogue, more of a "tour for the ears", as IKEA themselves describe it. Think of it like an audiobook, with all the items in the story having price tags; could this kind of innovation catch on? We play an audio sample, and share our thoughts. There's a new audio game on the iOS and Android market called Blind Drive, and as we're all fans of playing games and not doing actual work, we all promise to try it out, and see if the praise is justified! What else? Well, Steven's reviewing the Sonic 2, which is a portable USB memory stick player and Bluetooth speaker. Will Steven listen to more audiobooks on it? Tim and Robin are sceptical! The tech also gets put through Steven's "how many toes would this break if I dropped it on my feet" test. Very scientific, I believe NASA operates similar methods. More? You want more? Okay! We hear from Madleen Bluhm from the Technology For Life team about LIDAR, We chat about Apple apparently discontinuing the full-sized HomePod to focus on the HomePod Mini, in emails we get asked about the Apple Watch being suitable for running, and also about hidden dialog boxes on the Mac being a pain in the derriere! All that, plus Andy possibly being replaced by 'Mia', lost llamas and hungry Hippos, hefty thunks, "open calculator!", narrators putting you off certain audiobooks, and Noah's Ark. As ever, if you want to join in the chat, you can! Email: [email protected] Tweet: @RNIBRadio using the #AskTechTalk. Chat soon!
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!