Blind Level Tech, or BLT, is a fun new show dedicated to the use of technology for those who are blind and have visual impairments. We will walk you through the latest and greatest tech from Apple to Microsoft and TVs to kitchen appliances. We will even throw in some good ole dad and tech jokes for good measure. Being blind is hard enough. Your tech experience should not be.

We know you have questions for the hosts so why not drop them here. [email protected] or give us a call at (720) 712-8856.

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby discuss the latest advancements in technology for the blind community, focusing on the new features of iOS 18 and the Apple Watch Ultra. They share their personal experiences with tech challenges, introduce their tech pieces of the week, and delve into the enhancements made to VoiceOver and Braille accessibility. The conversation highlights the importance of these updates in improving the user experience for individuals with visual impairments, emphasizing the ongoing journey of living beyond challenges.

Takeaways

Being blind doesn't mean you have to stop living.

The new iOS 18 features are exciting for accessibility.

VoiceOver now allows users to clone their voice for text-to-speech.

Braille users can now type in grade one while reading in grade two.

The interactive VoiceOver tutorial is a significant improvement.

Audio ducking in VoiceOver is now customizable.

The ability to reconnect Braille displays is more intuitive.

New ringtone features sync vibrations with the ringtone beat.

The Apple Watch Ultra has impressive battery life and features.

Stay tuned for more updates in part two of the discussion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Blind Level Tech

05:15 Tech Pieces of the Week

06:42 Exploring iOS 18 Features

10:14 VoiceOver Enhancements

24:24 Braille Improvements

29:09 Wrap-Up and Sandwich of the Week

In this episode, Evan and Kelvin take a dive into the world of field recorders from an accessibility perspective. We'll answer the most common questions a blind or low-vision person might have when purchasing a shiny new recorder, like does it talk, and have an intuitive interface, and of course, how does it sound.

In this BLT Byte episode, host Evan Starnes provides a quick guide on setting up the TalkBack accessibility shortcut for Android devices. Using a Google Pixel 5, Evan walks listeners through the process of activating TalkBack during the initial setup of a new device and explains how to enable it on a device that’s already been configured. He highlights the accessibility button feature, available at the bottom of the screen, and demonstrates the volume key shortcut, which is particularly useful for blind users. Evan also notes that the setup process may vary slightly depending on the brand of the Android device.

Summary

The Olympus DM720 digital voice recorder is a capable device with three mics and the ability to record in MP3 or WAV format. However, it is not the most accessible recorder for blind or low vision users. The new Zoom Essential Series of recorders, such as the H1E, H4E, and H6E, are recommended for accessibility. The Olympus DM720 has a startup chime and a speaker that is not very good for playback but is useful for monitoring. The recorder has a menu that can be navigated using the buttons below the screen, and it provides beep feedback. Folders and files can be accessed, but the date and time of recordings are not announced. The recorder has a record button, a stop button, and the ability to pause and resume recordings. It also provides a long beep when running out of memory.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Olympus DM720 Digital Voice Recorder

01:01 Accessibility Considerations for Voice Recorders

03:08 Navigating the Menu and Accessing Folders and Files

05:08 Recording and Playback Features of the Olympus DM720

06:29 Recommended Voice Recorders for Accessibility

Summary

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes interviews Joe Weber from Be My Eyes. They discuss the latest updates and features of Be My AI, including the integration of GPT-4.0 and the expansion to Windows desktop. They also talk about the future plans of Be My Eyes, including the integration of wearables. The conversation highlights the importance of privacy and ethical use of data in AI technology. The episode ends with the sandwich of the week segment.

Takeaways

Be My AI, the AI tool integrated into Be My Eyes, is continuously improving and becoming more responsive.

Be My AI is being used by companies like Microsoft and Unilever to provide customer support through the app.

Be My AI is planning to integrate with wearables in the future.

Be My Eyes prioritizes privacy and ethical use of data in their AI models.

The sandwich of the week is a chicken bacon ranch wrap.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:01 Be My AI: A Review and Preview

04:22 The Growth and Adoption of Be My AI

05:49 Be My AI and Support from Brands

07:47 The Impact of Be My AI on Call Resolution Time

09:38 The Advancements in Be My AI with GPT-4.0

16:16 Introducing Be My AI for Windows Desktop

19:33 The Future of Be My AI: Integration with Wearables

23:56 Privacy and Ethical Use of Data

27:34 Sandwich of the Week: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap

29:48 Closing Remarks and Future Updates

Summary

The Be My Eyes app for Windows allows users to take pictures and have an AI model describe them. The app is available in the Microsoft Store and requires a Microsoft account. Users can sign in with their Be My Eyes account or create a new one. The app includes features such as describing the screen, taking pictures using the built-in camera, uploading existing photos, and copying images to the clipboard for description. The app also has customizable keyboard shortcuts and a settings tab. Overall, the Be My Eyes app for Windows provides a convenient way for visually impaired individuals to access visual information.

Takeaways

The Be My Eyes app for Windows allows visually impaired individuals to access visual information through an AI model.

The app includes features such as describing the screen, taking pictures, uploading existing photos, and copying images for description.

Users can customize keyboard shortcuts and access settings for the app.

The app requires a Microsoft account and is available in the Microsoft Store.

chapters

00:00 Introduction to Be My Eyes App

01:01 Installing and Signing In

02:23 Screen Description and Picture Taking

03:50 Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts and Settings

Blind Level Tech, or BLT, is a fun new show dedicated to the use of technology for those who are blind and have visual impairments. We will walk you through the latest and greatest tech from Apple to Microsoft and TVs to kitchen appliances. We will even throw in some good ole dad and tech jokes for good measure. Being blind is hard enough. Your tech experience should not be.

Summary

In this episode, the hosts interview Martijn Van Der Spek, the developer of the app PiccyBot, an AI-based image description app. They discuss the different AI models used in the app, such as Gemini, GPT-3.5, RECA, GPT-4.0, and GROK2, and how each model has its own strengths and weaknesses. They also talk about the advantages of using open-source models like LAMA for privacy. The hosts explore the possibility of merging multiple models to create a supermodel and the potential risks of using AI for image description. They also mention the personality switch feature in PiccyBot that allows users to customize the description style. PiccyBot is an app that uses AI to provide descriptions of images and videos for blind and visually impaired users. It stands out from other similar apps because it offers multiple models and personalities, and it is currently the only app that provides video descriptions. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms, and it offers a free version with limited features and ads, as well as a paid version with additional capabilities. The developer is hoping to secure grant funding to further improve and expand the app. PiccyBot has the potential to be integrated into other devices and applications, such as a smart cane.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

03:04 Tech Piece of the Week: I Fix It Kit and Zoom P4 Podcast Mixer

07:07 The Power of Different AI Models in Image Recognition

13:14 Exploring the Strengths and Niches of AI Models

16:43 Privacy and Control: The Benefits of Open-Source AI Models

18:31 Creating a Supermodel: Merging AI Models for Better Image Description

20:30 Customizing Image Descriptions with Pickybot's Personality Switch

21:01 Introduction to PiccyBot and its Description Features

22:31 Customization and Fun with PiccyBot's Personalities

23:20 The Importance of Video Descriptions

24:52 The Benefits of Upgrading to the Paid Version

25:19 PiccyBot's Pricing Model

26:12 Seeking Grant Funding for PiccyBot's Development

28:07 Cross-Platform Availability and Development Process

29:30 Future Plans for PiccyBot and User Feedback

31:57 Opportunity for Public Voting in Google Gemini AI Competition

32:32 Promoting PiccyBot and Support for the App

35:14 Sandwich of the Week: Subby Tuna, Croissant with Boa, and Buffalo Chicken Slider

37:44 Where to Find PiccyBot and Connect with the Developer

39:31 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Thank you for listening to this episode of BLT if you have questions you know what to do. (720) 712-8856 or email at [email protected]