Talking Tech by Vision Australia Radio

Tonie Box Starter Kit Light Blue   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/toniebox-starter-set-light-blue.html   New Siri verses old Siri   https://9to5mac.com/2024/08/17/new-siri-vs-old-siri/   2 Part sounds of Apple Podcast series on Twenty Thousand Hertz Podcast   https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2024/08/15/two-part-sound-of-apple-podcast-series/   Google Event 2024   https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/15/google-i-o-2024-everything-announced-so-far/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANtxj7thje7qTsBzeKbjo0R0gsmal4nTiGLdOb8gn2HU7DkAudtpTQR1BlELncmqYcddIbBz-jgkwBKdcZQ7V_KK1TxW1qvoa5cOPu1qLMLIHuBsvUsnDJa9tRP9Dx52-9DsDV7Ibaw5UZxZkkVyaLfFhf2zZr2mRf_z8899doAG  Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute:  Big Purple Phone Silver Fox   Large print phone for low vision, seniors or people with cognitive challengers.   In the box:   Phone, stylus, charger/charging chord, phone case, welcome booklet, Nokia booklets,      Physical Buttons;   Emergency SOS, volume, and power.   Connectivity:   Head phone jack, USBC, and 3.5mm head phone jack. Also Bluetooth and Wifi can be setup.   Features: 6.5 inch screen. Trouble with touch screens, easily tap or swipe. Talks as you touch the phone (optional). High contrast keypad. No spam or unwanted calls or texts (optional). All settings hidden so users don’t get lost in phone settings. Volume is still available. Every screen is designed for people with cognitive challengers. Customisable, toggle on or off buttons. Full screen notifications, picture based navigation, and contacts. Emergency SOS call button, and the owners location is sent to their family. Phone, messages, , one click video calls, SoS, camera/photos, torch, radio, Web browser. Carer portal so carers can manage the phone remotely. Live help with an Australian  customer care member at the touch of a button.   Battery:   5500 may battery. 5V charging. Up to 3 days battery life.   Based on Nokia hardware, Android, and the  Big Purple phone launcher. Nano SIMM. 5GB monthly data plan recommended.     Orcam in the News   Senior management at both Quantum RLV and Vision Australia/Vision Store are aware of the situation concerning Orcam, and will update us in the near future.     List of My followed mainstream and Technology podcasts   Round about 20 podcast from my apple podcasts app.   Two blokes talking techv https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/two-blokes-talking-tech/id422268706   Blind abilities https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/blind-abilities/id972152176   Braillecast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/braillecast/id1259853662   Daily tech news https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/daily-tech-news-show/id790864884   Double tap https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/double-tap/id1309267346   Download this show https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/download-this-show/id499804600   Freedom Scientific FSCast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/freedom-scientific-fscast/id292355470   Freedom Scientific training podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ freedom-scientific-training-podcast/id1521340640   IACast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/iacast/id1070053713   ISee various tech from a blind persons perspective https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/isee-using-various-technologies-from-a-blind/id423121261   Intouch https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/in-touch/id261292201   IOS today https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ios-today-audio/id381972795   Last week in AI https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/last-week-in-ai/id1502782720   Living blindfully https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/living-blindfully/id973360653   Macbreak weekly https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/macbreak-weekly-audio/id179237749   Unmute presents https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/unmute-presents/id1646722812   Sight and sound tech podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sight-and-sound-technology-podcast/id1437977653   RNIB techtalk https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/rnib-tech-talk/id1151874507   Talking Tech https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio/id919830401   Techtalk https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tek-talk/id1500954706   The AI daily brief https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-ai-daily-brief-formerly-the-ai-breakdown/id1680633614   The tech doctor blog and podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-tech-doctor-blog-and-podcast/id370507954   The Virgcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-vergecast/id430333725Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute: Synaptic software for your Android Phone or Tablet   What is Synaptic:   Synapptic is an all in one software or app package for people who are blind or vision impaired, , that works on android smartphones and tablets.   Synaptic overview:   Find your way around with clear and bright icons. All screens have the same look and feel. In other words, once you have learnt one screen, you will know everything you need to know to use all other screens. Never get lost and always find your way back to the main menu with the Red Cross at the top left corner of the screen. Customise the main menu to display as a grid on one screen to make finding things easier, rather than several menu screens. Touch and release touch screen control means you can move your finger up and down each menu option and it will be read out until you stop on the option you want to use. Control Synaptic with your voice and use voice dictation if you like instead of the on screen keyboard. Plus, you can also use a Bluetooth keyboard for navigation and typing as well. Change the magnification level,  colour scheme, screen brightness, speech and sound settings,  and of course the menus. help is available at the top right hand corner  of each Synapptic screen. Make and receive phone calls and text messages (only on devices with a SIMM card). Send, receive, and read  emails. Use the web browser to search and read what is on the internet. Listen to thousands of internet radio stations. Play music, books, and other MP3 recordings from device,  memory cards or USB sticks. Watch and enjoy what is on YouTube. Catch up with the news and other stories efficiently. Turn the camera in to a reading machine, hand held digital magnifier, colour detecter, access QR/Bar codes, and take and share photos. Find out your current location, and what may be of interest near you.   Other features:    address book. calendar,  Reminders, and alarms. Calculator. Compass and spirit level. Make and share text or voice notes. Use the stop watch,  and timer. Install and Run other apps such as Spotify, Zoom etc. If all of these features interest you, a download trial is available. See the shop page for this link. You can then purchase a license to register the Synaptic software.     For more information, please contact the Vision Store on phone 1 3 0 0, 8 4 7 , 4 6 6 or email visionstore@visionaustralia.org. https://shop.visionaustralia.org/everyday-technology/synapptic-software-for-android.html   ApleVIS Closing Down   After 14 years of volunteer operation, as of August 31 2024 Applevis will be closing down. Great content, and it will be missed. Site is in read only mode for now, so no new content will be available.   Speaking of Getting Help and Useful Resources   Don’t forget about the help sites from Apple, Android, and Windows, plus our fantastic at Help Desk which you can reach via the main Vision Australia number or email athelp@visionaustralia.org   Tips on Stephen on How to listen to the 2024 Ylympics   Some great tips, as I have been finding it bit confusing myself on where to catch up on what is happening with the games.   Any Head Phone suggestions   Folks who follow me on social media will know I’m on a bit of a quest to find out suitable head phones to use when out and about, as my bone conduction Shokz just don’t work in noisy environments.   Feel free to email me your head phone suggestions that you use to my work email: David.woodbridge@visionaustralia.orgSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Vision Store is available to anyone in the community who would like to have a bit of help with being able to see things that bit better. We had a campaign a while ago now which was called “when glasses no longer help”, a now a new campaign called Tech for Your eyes”. Check it out at the Vision Store website: Https://shop.visionaustralia.org   Biped/Noa.   A wearable over the shoulders device  (like wearing a vest) that does Navigation Obstacle (detection), and AI, hence its name NOA. I’ve not seen something like this that I had hands on for a day last week which has impressed me so much.   Https://biped.ai   iPate a Conversational AI to scam the scammers from Macquarie Uni   As far as I can tell, a bit of a test of Ai Bots to scam the scammers.   https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jul/07/ai-chatbots-phone-scams   Are Visual Models Actually Blind   Actually yes they are to some extent.   https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/11/are-visual-ai-models-actually-blind/   How to use your Smart Phone One Handed   Great tip for Android and iPhone users when using large screen phones ththese days to enable you to pull down the icons from the top of the screen so you can reach them with one hand,.   https://www.theverge.com/24201413/iphone-android-ios-samsung-one-hand-how-to   Of course, we also talked about Crowd Strike, we’ve probably heard way to much smile.Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute: blindShell - accessible phone MountBatten Brailler Tutor chat with Peter Cracknel.   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/campaigns/mountbatten-brailler-tutor.html   Vision Pro released last week in Australia: spacial computing, access with low vision or sight.   https://www.apple.com/au/apple-vision-pro/   Samsung Unpack event last week: Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, Galaxy watch Ultra, Galaxy buds 3, and Samsung Galaxy Ring (available end of July, Ring next  year in Australia).   https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-galaxy-unpacked-july-2024-galaxy-ai-is-here-invitation-livestream-replay/ Sent from my iPhoneSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute: HeadBeam Plus.   Excellent wearable head torch with spotlight and flood light functions, SOS mode, and gesture on/off response. Note - whoops from me, I got to excited and called it a head lamp rather than HeadBeam.   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/headbeam-plus.html   Further Education Bursary Awards 2025   Open to Certificate IV and above, check Bursary website for details.   https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/funding/other-funding/further-education-bursary   BT Speak Pro July Update    New Update to the BT Speak brings Games, a Phone book, and new voices. Blazie Tech prefers that orders go through them.   https://www.blazietech.com   Orbit Research has Released Orbit  Speak.   Both a basic and plus version of the note taker with the Plus having entertainment options. Orders are from suppliers overseas when it becomes available on 22nd July 2024.   https://www.orbitresearch.com/product/orbit-speak-plus-speech-based-braille-notetaker-and-entertainment-center/   ARX Vision   Seems to be more interest in the ARX AI Head Set picking up with V1.5 hardware  now it will soon work with iOS on iPhone 15 and above. Note currently available on Android with ARX/Seeing AI, and Navilense. Also ARX app on the Blind Shell Classic 2.   Eleven Labs Reader   11 labs Reader app on iOS amazing human sounding voices. Android version coming soon.   iOS   https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elevenlabs-reader-ai-audio/id6479373050   ABC Listen App for iOS/Android   ABC Listen recent update has a few issues but you can send feedback to the ABC via the app.Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vision Store Product Minute: Arkon Smart Phone desktop Stan   One of the main ways I can tell if a product I use is amazingly amazing, is if I keep using it over a number of years.   The Arkon Smart phone Desktop Stand is one of these. I can put my smart phone at a range of heights, and positions depending on whether I am on a video call, demonstrating a product online, videoing a product demo or using the smart phone camera to do various things like OCR, this stand delivers what I need.   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/shop-by-eye-condition/diabetic-retinopathy/arkon-table-stand-for-phones.html   Smart AI Apps for use with Smart Phone Camera   Both for Android and iOS   Be-My-Eyes AI Assistant, Envision AI, Seeing AI   Camera for iOS gives scene info. Oddly, the Camera app on Android doesn’t have scene info.   Android   Look Out.   Blind Shell Classic 2   Envision AI. Look Out.   IOS   iOS 18 VoiceOver Live Recognition: door detection, people, point and speak, text,  Obstacle Detecter app for checking distance of objects.   Summing Up   Challenge in using all of these solutions for smart phone, is using the device hands free, and still being able to control the apps. Possible solutions: chest harness to hold phone in portrait mode, head set with mic for iOS voice control/listen to app, and a small keyboard that could be used with one hand: i.e. RIVO keyboard.  Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this show we concentrate on talking about 3 wearable devices for Australian users: ARX Vision (coming soon in the next few months)), Orcam MyEye 3, and Envision glasses.     ARX Vision.   Requires USBC cable connection to Smart phone or BSC2. Basic operation requires the ARX app. Works as a camera on Android as well with the Seeing AI or Navilens app. iPhone compatibility coming soon (no mention of iOS Seeing AI or Navilens functionality). Will be available in Australia in a few months.   Main features:   scan documents. facial recognition, Detects objects, Describes scenes.   Seeing AI functions:   short text, document scanning, bar code, face detection, Scene detection, Colour detection, Light detection, Hand writing.   Navilens functions:   Easy tag (QR) identification especially from a distance.     Envision AI Smart Glasses   Instant Text, Scan text, call Aira, call Ally, cash identification,, light detection, Colour detection, scene detection, detect people, recognise faces, detect objects, Ask Envision AI.   Orcam MyEye 3   instant Text, scan text, smart reading, read  hand writing, barr code identification, cash identification,, colour detection, recognise    faces. detect objects, browser based smart magnifier. AI.   Note   The Meta Ray-Ban aren’t fully supported in Australia at the moment, and Vision Pro which is due on July 12 at the moment is only digital magnification and speech etc: i.e. AR/VR only.   Product Minute from the Vision Store: Cut Resistant Mesh Gloves.   As the name imply’s, protect your hands/fingers from getting cut with using knives when cooking or (like me) protect your hands when gardening (especially sharp pruning clippers smile).   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/cut-resistant-mesh-glove-medium.htmlSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute: Orcam Read 3.   This handheld device can read printed or digital text aloud and can act as a stationary reader when used with its stand. Connect it to a smart tablet or computer and use the AI assistance to ask questions about the text it reads or even have it summarised for you   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/orcam-read-3-with-stand.html   WWDC 2024 Beta 1 notes     Apple ID now changed to Apple Account across all OS. Passwords app on iOS and Mac OS. Music Recognition app on Mac, iOS, and Apple Watch.   Mac OS 10.15   New Tips app.   Under the Hearing menu from the Extras menu, each Background Sound correctly identified by VoiceOver. New VoiceOver Tutorial. New VoiceOver Utility Commanders screen.   Create voice shortcuts in accessibility to launch actions.   iOS 18   Power button for turning off now in the control centre.   Reorganised Settings with all the Apps now under their own Apps folder.   Haptic sound to identify that VoiceOver  is starting up.. Language options in voiceover rotor now changes to voice. Live detection in VoiceOver rotor. BSI now with command mode for navigation with new command to invoke.   In accessibility, new voice to vibration option for music playing.   Create voice shortcuts in accessibility to launch actions.   Watch OS   New Vitals app.   Pause Rings.   TV   Increase dialogue volume.Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this weeks Talking Tech it is all about Apple WWDC 2024 keynote, and what is new in the 6 OS’s, and of course Apple’s own Apple Intelligence.   For more info on the beta info for Vision Pro 2,  iOS 18, iPad os 18, watch os 11, TV os 18, and Mac OS 15, check out the US Apple website at:   https://www.apple.com    Remember that these are developer betas only, public betas will be next month, and a lot of the features talked about may not appear until the end of the year.Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute: Get up to 15% off selected assistive tech devices from the Vision Store. Sale ends June 30, or while stocks last. Come in to any Vision Store or shop online at   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/onsale   Blind Shell Classic 2 Ok for When Telstra Drops 3G network on August 31 2024   All is safe, your Blind Shell Classic 2 will continue to work.   Be-My-Eyes Now Available for Windows   This excellent app famous on the iPhone and Android phones, is now available on Windows.   What is in David’s Computer Bag   Haven’t done one of these for a while, so here is a look in to my computer bag.   Victor Reader Stream 3. Stella Trek. Brailliant BI40X. Bt Speak Pro.   Z Flip 3. iPhone 14 Pro. Logitech keyboard. RIVO keyboard. Belkin Mini Stage Tablet stand.   MacBook Pro M2. iPad Pro 10 inch M2. Surface Pro with Smart Keyboard.   JBL head set. JBL Extreme 3 portable speaker. Shokz bone conduction head phones. Zoom Essential H4. XLR microphone.   Versa Slate. Accessible 10000 and 20000 Power Bank. AirTag. Cables, audio adapters, SD cards, and USBC/USBA convertible sticks. Korean Telescopic cane.Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Product Minute: EOne Bradley Watch    More than a watch, a classic Time piece.   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/campaigns/eone-bradley-mesh-silver-watch-40mm.html   The Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre is offering two PhD Scholarships. Candidates who identify as having a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.   You can learn about the MATS Centre at: https://www.monash.edu/mats/about   Emerging assistive technologies have the potential to break down many of the barriers that people with disabilities face at school, university, work and in the social sphere. Our work at the MATS Centre is guided by partnerships with the community to ensure we’re addressing real problems faced by real people and creating a lasting impact. Join us as a PhD Candidate and help to create a world that is more inclusive and equitable.   The successful candidate will explore an area of research focus within MATS and the Faculty of Information Technology. The precise details of the PhD project are open to negotiation, but it should be designed with the aim of making a positive difference to the life experience of people with disabilities.   The successful candidates will be based in the Faculty of Information Technology of Monash University at the Caulfield or Clayton campuses in Melbourne.   For more details, please go to: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/513/cw/en/job/665632/phd-scholarship-in-assistive-technology-and-disability    Closing Date  Wednesday, 3 July 2024   Microsoft CoPilot Plus PC’s event   Yep, all about AI, and the new hardware to run it on.   https://www.techmeme.com/240521/p17#a240521p17   How to Keep an Old Computer Running   If you just want to use your old computer for mail, web, and perhaps even a media server, then don’t get rid of it.     https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-keep-an-old-computer-running/   Where Are Floppy Disks Today, Yes They Are Still Around   I still remember my first 5.25, then 3.5 floppy disk. But as this articles says, they are still around even today running specific equipment.   https://www.zdnet.com/article/where-are-floppy-disks-today-planes-trains-and-all-these-other-places/#ftag=RSSbaffb68   Here is How Many Years Users are Keeping Their iPads   3 years or more seems to be the  trend these days, certainly longer than holding on to a smart phone.   https://9to5mac.com/2024/05/15/heres-how-many-years-users-keep-ipads/Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast, Toby Walsh is joined by Vision Australia assistive technology guru and 'Talking Tech' presenter David Woodbridge to chat all things Artificial Intelligence. Toby Walsh is Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales, research group leader at Data61, adjunct professor at QUT, external Professor of the Department of Information Science at Uppsala University, an honorary fellow of the School of Informatics at Edinburgh University and an Associate Member of the Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW. Need more from Professor Toby Walsh?  Listen to our recent Vision Australia Library presentation as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival, In conversation with Toby Walsh as he examines the possibilities and perils of emerging AI technologies, from ChatGPT to facial recognition and self-driving cars, with Elizabeth McCarthy. https://omny.fm/shows/interview-highlights/melbourne-writers-festival-special-in-conversati-1Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quick list of links for this weeks show.   OPen AI 4o Online Presentation   https://www.engadget.com/openai-claims-that-its-free-gpt-4o-model-can-talk-laugh-sing-and-see-like-a-human-184249780.html?src=rss&guccounter=1   The Chat GPT Mac Desktop app (for Chat GPT Plus Subscribers)   https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-chatgpt-desktop-app-is-more-helpful-than-i-expected-heres-why-and-how-to-try-it/#ftag=RSSbaffb68   Google IO 2024 Online Presentation   https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/15/google-i-o-2024-everything-announced-so-far/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE5qqQ7xkej-h_vSKTZoD_QKhcqHArIMCBw4b2co7EsSJySpTBre-UgA9luH5Vjo6cxBRv_SsR91xtlo3By4aAY5a1nsWYGqnf_xejjwjRH1YsWP6QskwilwhUliJDK-nUedetwY35J6i3AyNAY21rSfyCzxlPl3Z2j4FO5iRm-b   Apple Announces New Accessibility Features for iPhone and iPad (iOS 18 coming up this year)   https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/15/apple-accessibility-features-2024/   Glide Now Available for Pre-Order for Late 2025   https://glidance.io   WeWalk 2.0 Now Available to Order (but not yet from Australia)   https://wewalk.io/en/v2-brochure/   International Council on English Braille 8Th General Assembly May 25 to May 30 2024 in NewZealand   https://iceb.orgSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.