Talking Tech by Vision Australia Radio

This week we discuss: AT support available through the Vision Australia Help desk which can be reached in Australia by phone on 1300 847 466 and by email via atchelp@visionaustralia.org; Inclusion of BE My Eyes as an option on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses News of the Blind Shell Classic 3 phone, likely to arrive in Australia early in 2025.   To access the program, presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we discuss: The November 2024 update to the BT Speak from Blazie Technologies with more information at https://www.blazietech.com/software-updates; Damo’s experience of AIRA with the Meta smart glasses; the training webinars from Vispero available online via https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/freewebinars/archivedwebinars   To access the program, presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we discuss: The 2025 upgrades to Jaws, Fusion and ZoomText from Freedom Scientific, released last week and with more info from https://freedomscientific.com; An update to the NVDA screen reader from NV Access with more info from http://nvaccess.org; The latest suite of Apple software updates; An explanation of Applevis, the community resource from Be My Eyes, with a wide range of Apple accessibility content which can be found at https://applevis.com.   To access the program, presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we discuss: The BT Speak Braille input pocket computer from Blazie Technologies with more information at https://blazietech.com; The new Orcam Read Lite “point click and listen” reading device available from Quantum RLV via https://quantumrlv.com.au or Vision Australia via https://shop.visionaustralia.org; The Victor Reader Stream 3 from Humanware with firmware update containing further information at https://humanware.com; The release by Apple this week of software updates to many of its popular products; A look ahead to the release from Vispero later this week of is 2025 upgrades to Jaws, ZoomText and Fusion with more information and downloads from Https://freedomscientific.com.   For the podcast presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week just days after International White Cane Day on October 15, we focus on some technology initiatives that can assist with moving around independently. Including: The revolutionary Australian Sensaball white cane tip with more information at https://sensaball.com.au; News of the Glide mobility aid under development from Glidance at https://glidance.io; News of the Biped Noa mobility vest with further info via https://biped.ai; Damo’s thoughts on orientation and mobility features in iOS 18. Also, we hear of the Dolphin Supernova screen access software upgrade with further info from Vision Australia’s Vision Store at Https://shop.visionaustralia.org or from Dolphin at https://yourdolphin.com.   For the podcast presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we cover: News from Selvas BLV of the Braille Sense 6 firmware upgrade; Damo’s experience of the Notebook LM AI tool; News of the major upgrade of Windows 11 to 24H2 with further details at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11 A battery preservation tip for IOS users of the iPhone 15 Pro or higher.   For the podcast you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we cover: An experience of using Chat GPT to access a PDF user manual; Discussion and comparison of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses and the ARX vision wearables; News of David Woodbridge joining Humanware Australia; News of the Australian launch of the Monarch Tactile Braille display.   For the podcast you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we cover: Explanation of the Meta Rayban smart glasses and the partnership with Be My Eyes; News of a major upgrade to the Humanware Prodigi low vision product; News of a major upgrade to he Hartgen Consultancy Jaws related Leasy product with more detail from https://www.hartgen.org; A more detailed look ahead to the annual upgrades to FS products JAWS, Fusion and ZoomText with more detail via freedomscientific.com; Acknowledgement of the final edition of the Living Blindfully podcast from Jonathan Mosen.   For the podcast you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@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.

This week we cover: Some new accessibility features in iOS 18; A look ahead to the annual upgrades to FS products JAWS, Fusion and ZoomText; The upcoming launch on October 10 by Quantum RLV of the Monarch braille and tactile device, at a webinar with registration via Webinar Registration - Zoom. 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.

On this week's Talking Tech Stephen is joined by new co-host Damo McMorrow, Vision Australia's Access Technology Officer. Damo shares with us what his role involves as well as what technology he uses.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.

On this weeks Talking Tech, Stephen and David discuss the September 9 Apple event.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.

This week on Talking Tech Stephen and David cover a range of new tech including hands on experience.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.

On this weeks episode Stephen and David discuss the changes in assistive technology throughout David's career as well as some new tech on the way.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.

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.