All Cool Blind Tech Shows

The CBT Team checks out some of the new Siri voices and how to make it your default voice for the new iPhone 8 Plus.

The CBT Team is back again with another Fanmail show, with James and Nelson as your hosts. Keep sending us your emails and messages from social media and we will read or play your feedback on our show.

You can contact us via email to [email protected] or call our new toll free number at 1-855-330-2665 anytime night or day.

From: Alden

Can you make a podcast how to downgrade to iOS 10 from iOS 11?

From: LeDon

What do you guys use to back up your files off site?   Is it easily accessible?

From: Beth

Hi, enjoyed your latest podcast and here is info about another Second Sight product.

From: John Covici

In this Spotlight Interview, James Oates sits down with Kirk Adams, the president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind to discuss the mission of the AFB and the most pressing issues that blind people face in the 21st century.

Helpful Resources

AFB Website

AFB’s Career Connect Page

AFB’s Access World Publication

AFB Press

AFB’s Family Connect Page

AFB’s Vision Aware Page

AFB’s Publication, “College Bound”

Learning Ally

Cogswell Macy Act

The American Council of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Allison Sheridan from Podfeet. They discuss the top stories from Cool Blind Tech and give you some Cool Picks to think about.

Top Stories

Amazon Introduces New Accessibility Features for Blind and Visually Impaired Customers

Brain Implant Launching Clinical Trial to Restore Vision to Patients

Court Finds That Accessibility Rules Apply to Retail Websites

Show links

* Interview with Second Sight at CSUN

* Tutorial of Recording Skype with Audio Hijack

* Soundflower on Github (3 years ago)

* egrips for iPhone

Cool Picks

* Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack

* iPhone 8 Plus from Apple

* Facebook on the App Store for iOS.

The CBT Team gets their hands on the new iPhone 8 Plus and gives their first impressions of the familiar design with some new features.

The iPhone 8 Plus introduces an all‑new glass design. The world's most popular camera, now even better. The smartest, most powerful chip ever in a smartphone. And augmented reality experiences never before possible.

With no charging cable required, iPhone 8 Plus is truly designed for the future of wireless. Charge with wireless charging stations and mats in hotels, cafés and airports around the world.

Tech Specs

* 5.5-inch display.

* The glass back enables easy wireless charging.

* Retina HD Display.

* Now with True Tone.

* Features a more advanced 12MP camera.

* optical image stabilization for photos and videos.

* Portrait Lighting.

* A11 Bionic chip and more…

What’s in the Box

* EarPods with Lightning Connector

* iPhone

* Lightning to USB Cable

* 5W USB Power Adapter

* Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

CBT is back with another unboxing of a wireless charger, this time from Belkin. Experience a new and effortless way to charge your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X — wirelessly. Simply set your iPhone down on the Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad and get fast wireless charging performance.

Experience wireless charging using the Qi wireless standard, which delivers up to 7.5W to your iPhone. A subtle LED indicator allows you to know as soon as your device is placed on the pad and charging. It can charge through most cases - up to 3mm. Fast wireless charging is enabled with a free software update coming later this year.

What’s in the Box

* Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad

* AC Adapter

* Quick Start Guide

Tech Specs

* Power Source: AC

* Height: 1.46 cm (0.57 inches)

* Length: 11.86 cm (4.7 inches)

* Width: 11.86 cm (4.7 inches)

The CBT Team unboxes the Mophie wireless charging base for the new iPhones . The charging base is optimized to charge your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X quickly and easily. Simply set your iPhone on the wireless base and charging begins immediately. The non-slip housing ensures perfect placement and the included wall adapter means you have everything you need to get charging right in the box.

The Mophie wireless charging base uses the Qi wireless charging standard and is optimized to charge iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X making charging easier than ever.

What’s in the Box

* Wireless charging base

* Power wall adapter

Tech Specs

* Cable length: 1.5 m (59 inches)

* Power Source: AC

* Height: 11.5 mm (0.45 inches)

* Length: 97 mm (3.82 inches)

* Width: 97 mm (3.82 inches)

* Weight: 124 g (4.37 oz)

In this show Nelson Régo Unboxes the New Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE.

The series 3 38MM Apple Watch will have a Wi-Fi version priced at $329 and a LTE version priced at $399. The 42MM model costs an additional $30. The cellular version can take and receive calls and use apps without having to have an iPhone nearby. The watch’s phone number must be the same as the phone number already assigned to an iPhone 6 or later. The watch has 16GB of memory and has a distinctive red crown that distinguishes it from non-cellular models.

Although Apple will still offer the series 1 watch for $249, the series 2 has been removed from their website.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Jeff Thompson from Blind Abilities and Randy Rusnak from ACB Radio. They discuss the top stories from Apple’s Keynote Event and give you some Cool Picks and tips.

Top Stories

Accessibility Changes Coming On The iPhone X

The new iPhone X has an edge-to-edge screen and no Home Button, but will be using the Sleep/Wake button on the upper right hand side instead for functions such as the triple click feature for accessibility users and initiating Siri commands. Although we have yet to get our hands on the device to test accessibility features for VoiceOver users, Sighted users can wake the iPhone X by tapping on the screen. Users can then access the home screen by swiping up from the bottom of the phone. Switching between apps also requires swiping up from the bottom of the displays. Additionally, users can switch between apps by swiping from the bottom left of the phone.

Unlocking the phone is done with the company new Face ID technology. The phone will remain locked until the iPhone X is able to see the user and positively identify their face using the phone’s TrueDepth camera system. We reached out to Apple on how VoiceOver users will be accommodated on the iPhone x and this is what they told us: "The iPhone X has been designed with a number of accessibility features to support its use.

An Overview Of the Apple Event

Apple announced this fall’s additions to their hardware lineup. They unveiled the Series 3 Apple Watch, a 4K version of the Apple TV, the iPhone 8 and 8+, along with a special iPhone X addition.

Cool Picks

All-New Element 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Fire TV Edition

LG HBS-910 Tone Infinim Bluetooth Stereo Headset - Black

Bank of America Mobile Banking

Monster Blaster Boombox Wireless Speaker

In this week’s Cool Picks, the CBT Team are joined by Rob Minault from the AT Banter podcast. They discuss some of their favourite Cool Picks.

You can contact us via email to [email protected] or call our new toll free number at 1-855-330-2665 anytime night or day.

Cool Picks

YouTube Kids by Google, Inc.

Nelson has a great recommendation for parents who want their kids to have a safe place to play on the internet.

Marty's Blindfold Games

Rob is blown away by the number of audio-games a blind person can play on the iPhone.

TuneIn Premium

For just $9.99 per month, James has found more audio-books, podcasts, news broadcasts, and sporting events than he could ever listen to.