Unbox and set up the new Google Home Smart Speaker with Scott Rutkowski, explore its accessibility features, and hear Kristi Ardell’s inspiring mission to bring white canes and Braille tools to blind children in Eswatini, Africa.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece welcome listener Scott Rutkowski from Australia as he performs a full unboxing and first-time setup of the brand-new Google Home Smart Speaker powered by Gemini AI. Scott walks through the packaging, physical design, and accessibility setup process, including the challenges of scanning QR codes and enabling voice features. He also tests out Google Home Premium, Gemini’s conversational mode, and shares tips for blind users on controlling audio and touch gestures.

Later, Kristi Ardell joins the conversation to discuss her upcoming journey to Eswatini to support St. Joseph’s School for the Blind. She shares her inspiring goal to donate white canes, Braille slates, and a refurbished Perkins Brailler to children who currently rely on tree branches and broken pipes as canes. Kristi also reveals details of her inclusive African safari adventure with Seeable Holidays and how the blind travel experience connects communities worldwide.

Support Christy’s mission to deliver white canes and Braille tools to children in Eswatini by contacting her at: [email protected].

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how blind and visually impaired users can harness AI tools like Claude to build accessible solutions, enhance independence, and master screen reader fundamentals—guided by Tony Gebhard’s No Sight Required.

Tony Gebhard joins Steven Scott and Shaun Preece to discuss his new book, No Sight Required: A Blind User’s Guide to AI. Written from a first-hand perspective, the book tackles the lack of consolidated resources for blind users exploring artificial intelligence. Tony explains why screen reader fundamentals are essential before diving into AI projects and shares how tools like Claude and Codex can help create custom solutions, from NVDA training modules to accessible web tools.

The conversation covers:

Tony also opens up about the writing process, using AI for editing and production, managing community expectations, and the importance of feedback for future editions.

Relevant Links

NVDA: https://www.nvaccess.org

Key Quotes

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover Quill, a fully accessible, AI-powered text editor designed for blind and low vision users. Learn how Quill simplifies text editing, integrates AI tools, and empowers productivity with free, feature-rich functionality.

In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Jeff Bishop about Quill, his new free text editor built with accessibility at its core. Quill bridges the gap between simple editors like Notepad and complex environments such as Visual Studio Code, providing a highly customisable experience that “meets users where they are.”

Jeff shares how Quill supports HTML, Markdown, text expansion, dictation, voice commands, background file conversions, and deep AI integration with providers like OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini. Profiles allow users to hide advanced features for a clean, beginner-friendly interface or unlock powerful developer tools.

Quill is open-source, cross-platform, and community-driven, proving how accessible technology can be transformative when designed by and for blind users.

Relevant Links

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover Speaking Access, a powerful voice-control tool for Windows and NVDA that transforms how blind and low-vision users navigate computers. Learn how voice commands can replace hundreds of shortcuts, make typing easier, and improve accessibility without relying on cloud-based AI.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece chat with Canadian developer Christopher Mutch about his innovative software, Speaking Access. The app lets users control Windows and NVDA entirely through voice commands, eliminating the need to memorise 350+ keyboard shortcuts. Designed with blind users in mind, it also supports low-vision users by integrating with the Windows magnifier and offering voice-driven menu navigation, dictation, proofreading, and selection commands.

The conversation dives into why local voice processing matters for privacy, how the software bridges the gap for new screen reader users, and the future of accessible computing without the steep learning curve. Christopher also teases a new local Whisper AI dictation tool for fast, accurate transcription.

Relevant Links

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how blind tech enthusiasts are harnessing AI tools, accessible apps, and community-built projects to take control of their digital lives. From AI songwriting to coding accessible software, this episode of Double Tap is packed with tools, tips, and inspiration.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a lively conversation about the exciting world of accessible tech powered by AI. Steven unboxes a surprise goodie bag from Perkins, including the Perkins Bloom for smart Braille support. The duo explore how AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT are revolutionising accessibility — from creating apps in bed to managing previously inaccessible systems.

They highlight community-driven projects like Quill (a powerful accessible text editor) and Clipman (a Windows clipboard manager). Plus, they share early impressions of QuickMail, an accessible email client, and the new book No Site Required by Tony Gebhard — a must-read for anyone wanting to navigate AI tools and websites with a screen reader. Guest contributor Robin Christopherson even joins to demo his zombie-inspired audio game Dead Zone and praise Clipman.

Relevant Links

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apple is preparing for significant price increases due to a global memory shortage driven by AI data centre demand. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore how AI’s insatiable need for RAM is reshaping tech costs, the environmental impact of server farms, and whether refurbished devices are the smartest choice in 2026.

This episode dives into Apple’s upcoming price hikes, with the next iPhone Pro potentially jumping to $1,299. Steven and Shaun discuss AI’s enormous influence on hardware pricing, from MacBooks to storage, and the pressures placed on memory manufacturers. They also examine the environmental and social effects of sprawling data centres, including water and energy usage, and debate whether AI’s growth is sustainable.

The conversation takes a lighter turn with a humorous look at self-driving toilets, before shifting to a serious reflection on how AI is changing both consumer habits and tech industry strategies. The hosts close with practical advice on considering refurbished devices to save money in today’s inflated market.

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this engaging episode of Double Tap Weekend, Shaun Preece highlights Chris Cook’s podcast At Your Fingertips, diving into the evolving world of Braille technology, starting with TalkBack 17 and its upcoming integration with Samsung devices, including enhanced support for USB and HID Braille displays. Chris then explores a range of portable Braille displays under 20 cells, comparing features like storage, connectivity, battery life, and usability.

Highlights include an in-depth look at the Humanware Brailliant BI 20X, APH Chameleon, Focus 14 Blue, Orbit Reader 20 Plus, and Help Tech Actolino, with insights from Scott Davert’s “Keeping It Portable in 2026” series. Each device’s strengths, quirks, and compatibility tips are shared to help you make an informed choice.

To close, Chris spotlights the Sensational Blackboard, a low-tech, highly creative tool that allows anyone to create tactile line drawings with a simple ballpoint pen—bringing art, maps, and signatures to life for blind and visually impaired users.

Relevant Links

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Subscribe to the Podcast:

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover Google’s brand-new Google Home smart speaker powered by Gemini AI, replacing Google Assistant with next-level conversational capabilities. We dive into its new design, audio upgrades, subscription model, and why this release is bigger than Google admits.

In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore Google’s unexpected launch of its first Gemini-powered smart speaker. They trace the evolution from the original Google Home in 2016/2017 to the Nest Audio in 2020, and now to this new AI-driven device shipping on 25 June 2026.

The conversation covers the speaker’s mushroom-like form factor, 360-degree single-driver audio, and the integration of Gemini for natural, free-flowing voice interactions. Listeners will learn about the premium subscription tiers required for the most powerful AI features, and practical use cases like voice-managed email, home security camera descriptions, and daily summaries.

Steven and Shaun also share candid thoughts on smart home ecosystems, privacy, and the ongoing challenges with multi-brand hardware compatibility.

Relevant Links

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore listener feedback, tech discussions, and AI insights in this episode of Double Tap, where Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into accessibility, legislation, and the evolving role of AI in everyday life.

In this lively episode, the hosts open the inbox to discover a surprising voice note from Mr. F, sparking humour and reflection on Double Tap’s own high standards. Listeners chime in with feedback, including debates on pronunciation, accessibility legislation, and societal attitudes towards disability. The conversation broadens into the challenges of relying solely on laws versus changing public perception, while highlighting global trends in accessibility enforcement.

The hosts also explore the growing influence of AI, from intelligent image descriptions in iOS to the ethical considerations of handing everyday tasks to technology. Listener messages discuss mobile phone options for blind users, concerns about the Blindshell Classic 3, and the appeal of Apple’s new MacBook Neo paired with the iPhone 17E. The episode concludes with thoughts on AI integration into smart speakers, Chromebooks versus Google Books, and the potential impact of new devices like the Clicks Communicator.

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how accessible Lego building is transforming for blind and low-vision creators, plus the latest updates on Microsoft Surface Pro and Laptop devices, skyrocketing hardware prices, and the rise of AI-powered coding tools.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore a packed episode of Double Tap, diving into tech news, accessibility, and AI innovation. They discuss Microsoft’s new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models featuring Snapdragon X2 processors, higher RAM and storage prices, and improved battery life—though at significantly higher costs. The duo also touch on AI trends, including SpaceX’s $60 billion acquisition of coding platform Cursor, and how blind creators are using AI to build tools and make games more accessible.

The highlight of the episode is an inspiring interview with Matthew Shifrin, founder of Bricks for the Blind, a nonprofit providing braille and text-based Lego instructions. He shares how accessible Lego sets empower blind children and adults by teaching spatial awareness, boosting confidence, and enabling independent building. They discuss the tactile joy of constructing models, the support of volunteer writers and testers, and the exciting role of smart glasses and AI in enhancing the building experience.

Relevant Links

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.