Double Tap

The Double Tap team would like to wish a happy New Year to all our listeners!

As Steven, Shaun & Tim start a new beginning, they take a look at the tech they think will be important in 2020. Will 5G introduce products, apps and services that are impossible today? Is this the year we finally get usable, fashionably acceptable smart glasses and is there an end in sight for the Smart Speaker war? And just why does Steven want a truly tactile tablet, making it possible to 'feel' objects on screen?

With tales of chicken fried rice for Christmas dinner, a cardboard box with fairy lights as a Christmas tree and no presents, it could only be Christmas at Double Tap Canada.

In this episode the team take a look at their favourite tech of the last year. Shaun starts with the reason why, despite his new iPhone 11, he's not leaving Android behind.

Next, Tim explains why he loves the Bose AR Frames. These sunglasses with built-in Bluetooth speakers and the ability to track which way you are facing, not only sound good but could have far more practical uses for us as visually impaired people. But Shaun is certain they won't make museums any less boring.

Finally, Steven shares how he manages his stress with the Calm app. Making it easy to take a little time out during the day or by helping you drift off to sleep easily. He's found the app has really made a difference, but his thoughts on his new Amazon Echo Studio speakers soon have him ranting again...

Happy Holidays from all of us at Double Tap! As we all get ready for the festivities, Steven, as ever, finds something to complain about when it comes to Christmas movies, Shaun treats himself to a shocking Christmas present and Tiny Tim argues the case for the Chirp app.

Made for the Apple Watch, the Chirp app allows you to access Twitter directly on your wrist. With it's impressive list of features why is Shaun cautious to recommend it? This leads to a discussion about just how useful is the Apple Watch. Next, we hear from a listener who tells Steven exactly where the Insert key is on his Surface Pro keyboard. But why couldn't Microsoft find it?

Finally, it's on to the, apparently shocking, news that Shaun has bought an iPhone 11. Does this mean an end to his Android love affair, Steven & Tim interrogate him to find out just what is the truth about the Android experience.

Double Tap Canada is full of the Christmas spirit this week, well at least one of the team is. Steven is annoyed by yet another computer he has bought and Tim has had a close brush with the law.

With Microsoft ending support for Windows 7 in January is it finally time to make that move to Windows 10? Is it that different to Windows 7 or XP and just what is holding people back?

Next, we hear a cautionary tale from Tim after he recently was nearly the victim of a scam. Is there any signs or red flags to look out for and did the fact that he uses a screen reader actually help?

In the second half of the show Steven tells us of his search for an insert key on his new Surface Pro keyboard. He used Be My Eyes and spoke to the Microsoft support team who told him that there would be an insert key on the next version of the keyboard… However, Shaun is convinced they are all wrong and there must be an insert key there hidden away. Can anyone find it?

Finally, in news and emails the team talk about the new iOS 13.3 update, 5 new languages for Seeing AI and problems with ChromeBook performance.

The Double Tap Team are back to full health this week as the show kicks off with a look at the Echo Show 5. Can a smart speaker with a screen really be of any use if you’re visually impaired?

Robin Christopherson gives us a quick review of the Echo Show 5 and then Shaun & Steven weigh in with their thoughts on it. Obviously, they don’t agree with each other…

Next, it’s on to the news, starting with the recent update for Microsoft SoundScape that adds support for the Bose AR Frames. Tim has taken them for a spin and seems impressed but Shaun has questions.

Finally, Tim tells us of a new audio game that is in development called Pitch Black. Having reached it’s kickstarter target just how excited should we be when it’s released later next year? Could this really be an audio game with enough depth to keep us interested?

Double Tap Canada looks at the topic of online accessibility this week specifically weather it’s better to force companies to make their services accessible through regulations or simply by educating them to the benefits of having a service which is accessible to all.

But, before the serious discussion, Shaun & Steven talk about just what they’ve bought this week and try to find out when Black Friday actually starts.

We have 2 interviews this week from the TechShare Pro 2019 event regarding web accessibility. First, we hear from Malin Rygg, Head of Authority for Universal Design of ICT in Norway who explains how

Norway checks on websites to make sure they are accessible and will impose fines if they’re not and secondly, from Stuart Seaborn, Managing Director of Litigation at Disability Rights Advocates, who gives his thoughts on how things are handled in the US.

After Steven, once again, proudly tells us of his chicken spoon achievement, we have an interview with Haben Girma who is the first Deaf / Blind person to get a Law degree from Harvard. She tells us of her work at Lenovo as the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor and the importance of braille

Double Tap Canada is at the Google headquarters in London this week to cover the TechShare Pro 2019 event. With major tech companies such as Google, Apple and Lenovo in attendance, the TechShare Pro event is aimed at businesses to share best practices in assistive tech.

With discussions around just how 3D positional audio could take enjoying TV when you're visually impaired to a whole new level, the future of voice recognition and the acceptance of smart glasses, Steven Scott & Robin Christopherson are there to find all the most exciting assistive tech news.

Oh, and Steven answers a question that nobody asked. Which came first, the chicken or the spoon?

This weeks Double Tap Canada takes a look at health and how tech can help. Which is ironic as Steven is sick, Shaun is exhausted and Tim is having hot flushes. Is there any accessible tech out there that can help? Also, Shaun has finally ventured outside of his shed and taken a ride in a Tesla. But does self driving technology live up to the hype?

Next it's on to the newly launched Disney Plus streaming service which, of course, triggers Steven into a rage regarding audio description. We also have listener questions about guide dog insurance and a failed iOS update.

Steven Scott gets over his technical issues and returns to Double Tap Canada this week full of excitement over his new tech toys. A new RodeCaster mixer and the AirPods Pro. After finding out the mixer is inaccessible the team quickly focus on just what does he think of the premium priced AirPods Pro? Next, with the recent news that Google have acquired FitBit, just what does this mean for accessibility to both FitBit and AndroidWear devices.

And Orbit Research have launched an exciting communication app for people who are deaf blind. Promising a simple chat experience using an Android device and the Orbit Reader 20, could this be the most affordable solution so far?

Finally we have emails regarding Orcam and do you really need an antivirus app on your Android device?

"Double Tap Canada kicks off this week with a look at the latest update for iOS 13. What's been fixed and what's been broken and is it finally safe to take the dive and update your device? It's then onto a discussion on Apple TV Plus. Launching on November the 1st, should we be worried by the apparent lack of content or should we just be happy with the promised excellent audio description.

Next, With the recent release of the Apple Air Pods Pro are any of the team rushing out to buy these premium priced headphones? Finally, it's a look at an interesting update to the Orbit 20 braille display and a look at listener questions."