RNIB Tech Talk episodes
Showing episodes 281 to 290 of 639
Google Lookout, Face Masks, and Modern Tech Longevity
Oh look, it's you! Fancy seeing you here! Just in time for Tech Talk! Steven, Robin & Andy return to talk all manner of gadgets and gizmos, but not before Robin gives out an apology for a boo-boo from last week... He's only gone and mixed up his Williams and Bills! The trio discuss Google Lookout, which has seen some updates over the last week - it now offers two new features: the ability to identify food labels, and to scan documents. Is this the Seeing AI app that Android users were craving? In your emails this week, we answer a question about how long technology is expected to last; it may be a bit unfair comparing it to a 120-year-old Bechstein piano, but is it really too much to ask that a modern smartphone lasts more than a few years? All that, plus: Facemasks, Giraffe readers, Sticking up for the Dolphin Easy Reader, help with TV listings, stiff plastic, changes at Aira, Braille vs QWERTY, a new Android TV dongle, NVDA assistance, lots of Julians and Richards, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Our poor email jingle has been getting a right hammering in emails lately, so we want to know... Do you like it, or despise it? Vote here: https://fast-poll.com/poll/198c9d33 Our show is built around you, dear listener - without your comments, queries and compliments (and criticisms!)... well where would we be? What would Andy do?! [email protected] is the place to send them.
New products from Samsung, another Aira UK Demo, and goodbye Toshiba
Greetings, Tech Talkees! Join Steven, Robin and Andy on this week's show to hear the fallout from Samsung Unpacked from a few weeks back, and what kind of pull Android has in 2020. We say goodbye to Toshiba tech, as they quietly exited the laptop business for good, after 35 years of great machines. The guys discuss what went wrong, why the sales dropped off, and who is now taking on their PC business. Also listener Will has sent us another Aira in the UK demo, this time to assist with his dinner choices! All that, and more, including: tea jokes, VOD failing blind people, Dynorod, tree-hugging, clippy cortana, Show and Tell not being in the UK yet, Shaun Connery and the band Texas, and even more problems with AD on TV in the UK. As ever, we love your emails! The address to contact us is [email protected] Catch you all next week!
Braille podcasts, Robotic Guide Dogs, and emails
Are you here for Tech Talk? Well you're in the right place! Steven's here, Robin's there, and Andy's everywhere - on today's TT, plenty of topics to discuss, including 'Theia', a robotic guide dog prototype designed by Anthony Camu - would you switch out having a fluffy, cuddly (and sometimes smelly) real life guide dog, in exchange for one that you need to plug in and recharge every night? And where would the USB slot be?! Crikey! Also, Steven chats with Dave Williams, founder of the Braillists' Foundation, which was set up to bring people together to share their experience and knowledge of braille. The pair chat about a new podcast which is coming out. All that, plus Fabric dots instead of loc dots, emails about Aira in the UK, rooftop garden terraces, conversation view in emails, finding lost sons, windows shortcuts, fail whales, and issues with certain screen-readers and Microsoft Excel. To email us and have your question or query read out on a future episode, email [email protected] Lots of love! x
Trying Aira in the UK, Chats about Apps, and Accessible Fitness
Hello, friends! On this week's Tech Talk, Steven and Robin spend a bit more time discussing Aira now being available in the UK, and how it differs from services such as Be My Eyes. We also have a demo from listener Will trying out the service - thanks Will! (Plus, if you would like 60 minutes free upon signup instead of the usual 30, Will has also shared a referral code, so click this link here: https://link.aira.io/ref-v8n65) Also on the show, RNIB's very own Paulina Kuchorew chats to Linzi Sansum from RNIB’s Older People and Complex Needs Team about 'Chats about Apps' - a podcast series introducing easily accessible technology. Speaking of apps, Andy tells us about a fitness app on iOS, and their focus on audio-led programmes. The developers want to hear from blind and partially sighted fitness fans to help improve their app for those who are often in a neglected group when it comes to working out. All that, plus: hand held magnifiers, recycled computers, not much love towards dentists, Bose Frames and Soundscape news, unintentionally offending Americans, iPhone 12 rumours (will it really be 5.4 inches and square?), TV Guides, sounding like melting chocolate, and a walk down memory lane. We've covered plenty of emails in the past few episodes, and the next few will cover even more - to ask us anything, or to comment or question something featured in the show, email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and you'll certainly be included in an upcoming episode! Finally, here are the two links Robin mentioned in the episode for the upcoming AbilityNet Webinars! For more information, and to register, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8015958662507/WN_MqX0fomVSMOZQmVKBM7ZQQ Until we meet again!
In Your Pocket, Back Tap on iOS14, and loads of emails
Hello, Tech Talkers! Here's a warning - this episode is very lively... we've all been fuelled by strong coffee! On today's show, Steven chats with Brendan Lewis from RealSam, the makers of In Your Pocket, to talk about how the product can help blind and partially sighted people, and also to showcase a new handset device just launched. Also on the show, we delve deep into the swimming pool of emails! Aside from all the rogue Radio 4 mentions, we also talk about: the Echo Show 8, Fujitsu supercomputers, being irked, doubts over ARM-based Macs, backtap headaches on iOS14, Daniel voiced by John, monster big ones, the what3words app, Apple issues with braille displays, ripping the nob off, Bluetooth keyboards, and Spoonbill Hickok ...and Robin's PSA: dont go licking 5G masts! That link for In your Pocket is: inyourpocket.net Coffee aside, we are also fuelled by your emails! They are always fantastic, so to contribute you can email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for a future episode!
Mantis Q40, Zoom for Home, and Braille on the Apple Watch
Ahoy hoy Tech Talk listeners - what a show we have today! It's braille-tastic! Friend of the show Karina Gregory makes a return to chat to Steven about the recently released Mantis Q40, which, controversially, has a QWERTY keyboard... oooft! Also, sticking with regular Tech Talk contributors, iSee host David Woodbridge has a new demonstration all about using braille with the Apple Watch. Will either of these features convince Robin to get back into braille? All that, plus Twitter and recent hacks, Zoom for Home, font sizes, missing jingles, TW Blue and Chicken Nugget, and Microsoft Outlook update issues. If you want to add to the pages upon pages (or should that be books?) of emails, and we promise we will focus solely on them in the next couple of shows, you can email [email protected] TTFN! x
Buying a New Computer when Blind and Visually Impaired
Hello hello hello! Welcome to another Tech Talk. It's a Tech Talk of two halves this week; how exciting! Firstly Steven and Robin are joined by Read On host, and general all-round good egg Red Szell, who is in the market for a new computer. Is it true to say that buying a PC or Mac when you're blind or partially sighted requires a little bit more effort? The team talk to Red about his tech history, what he uses his computer for, and what's the team think is best for him. Then for the last half, Andy joins us to cover some more of your lovely emails - Echos with screens, as well as more talk on the Dolphin Easy Reader to name but a few. [email protected] for all your correspondence!
Aira in UK, WHO surveys, and hand on with the iPhone SE
Ahoy! The good ship Tech Talk sets sail once again - join Captain Steven Scott, First Mate Robin Christopherson and Cabin Boy Andy for another week of accessible tech adventures! On this week's show, David Woodbridge gives us a demo of the iPhone SE, we talk about the UK arrival of Aira, the subscription service which allows blind and low-vision users to receive remote assistance through an app on a smartphone, and Robin shares the details about an upcoming Ability.Net webinar (details below!) Also on this week: The case of the (soon to be) missing charging bricks, books and copyright laws between the US and UK, SoundScape and the disappearing AR part of the Bose Frames, the best of Carol King, Apple stickers, how to participate in the British Assistive Technology Association/ World Health Association AT survey (again, link below!), defective detectives, password troubles, staying determined and not letting technology beat you, and even Robin choking on a peppercorn after his fancy lunch! Don't worry listeners, he's absolutely fine. [email protected] for all your lovely emails! Register for AbilityNet's free accessible design tips webinar https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7915937019647/WN_NT_jZq0cRt-ReKgQllKsTg Participate in the BATA/WHO AT survey https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/help-every-disabled-person-uk-get-key-kit-they-need
The Last of Us 2, The Orbit Project, and emails
Hello TT fans! Here's what's on this weeks show: We hear all about the latest PlayStation game currently making headlines... for all the right accessible reasons! The Last of Us 2 is breaking down barriers, meaning gamers with disabilities can also enjoy it, which includes Ross Meegan, who we chat to. Speaking of games, this time of the board variety, we hear from a listener in India who would like to know if any accessible crossword puzzles and accessible Scrabble games exist, so that his students can work on improving their English vocabulary. We also hear about a new research project from Microsoft which could help improve image recognition apps like Seeing Ai or TapTap See. Also on the show: Andy doesn't know what a Sam Brown is, screens falling asleep, audio bass on speakers, a bit of praise and a bit of criticism, both via emails, and Steven listing technology over his wife and dog.... shocker! [email protected] for all your emails, and we promise to cover them in a future show.
An Email Special
We told you we had two treats for you this week... So, here we are, weirdly, on a Thursday! Steven and Robin return, and they've brought back Andy after his day off on Tuesday to go through the overflowing email inbox. So coming up on this show: Tackling Microsoft Teams, BlindSquare and accurate mapping via GPS, iPads, Audio Description levels, and of course we give another mention to the Turbo Scrub... it's getting so many mentions I think we should start getting advertising money! Also, for all you geeky audio fans out there that always ask about how we record the podcast, especially during lockdown, Andy, Steven and Robin detail what equipment they use to make the show sound so silky smooth, from microphones, mixing desks, audio interfaces, conference call software and audio recording software. As we covered a few more emails this week, now would be a good time to get your questions and comments in! [email protected] is the email address. Chat to you all next Tuesday!