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Envision has announced the Ally Solos smart glasses — a lightweight, phone-connected wearable offering AI-powered text reading, object and face recognition, and upcoming offline features. With early bird pricing at $399 and worldwide shipping, Ally Solos aims to bring advanced accessibility tools to blind, low-vision, and older users at a lower cost than previous Envision glasses.
This episode is supported by Pneuma Solutions. Creators of accessible tools like Remote Incident Manager and Scribe. Get $20 off with code dt20 at https://pneumasolutions.com/ and enter to win a free subscription at doubletaponair.com/subscribe!
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Envision co-founder Karthik Karnan about the launch of the Ally Solos glasses. These next-gen wearables feature dual HD cameras, up to 15 hours of battery life, and seamless Bluetooth pairing with smartphones to run Ally, Envision’s AI assistant. Users can ask natural questions — such as finding vegan menu items — and Ally chooses the right tool automatically.
Unlike standalone devices, Ally Solos leverage phone processing for extended battery life and reduced cost, while still supporting future offline capabilities like instant text reading and document scanning. The glasses double as Bluetooth headphones, support voice assistants like Siri or Gemini, and allow text/image export to other devices.
A free Ally plan offers core functionality, while Ally Pro ($10/month or $100/year at launch) unlocks unlimited conversations, custom “Allies,” conversation history, shortcuts, larger file imports, and upcoming live video AI. Existing Envision glasses will remain supported for years, with updates continuing. Pre-orders are open worldwide, with prices rising to $599 after the campaign.
Chapters
00:00 – Introducing Karthik and Ally Solos launch
01:00 – Specs and early bird pricing
02:11 – Why phone pairing boosts battery life
05:18 – Offline features planned for updates
07:22 – Bluetooth connectivity and assistant support
08:20 – Why Solos hardware was chosen
11:20 – Why not Meta Ray-Bans?
13:07 – Accessibility-first setup and onboarding
16:36 – Frame styles, lenses, and prescription options
18:08 – Key features: text reading, face recognition, exports
22:06 – Ally vs Envision AI app
24:05 – Ally free vs Pro subscription
27:18 – Pro features: unlimited minutes, customisation, live video AI
28:03 – Pricing and subscription offers
31:17 – Trying Ally app before buying glasses
32:30 – Support for existing Envision Glasses
39:17 – Commitment to ongoing updates
41:55 – Aira, Be My Eyes, and companion app plans
44:22 – Worldwide availability and multilingual support
45:19 – Post–early bird pricing
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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.
Soundscape has officially arrived on Android, thanks to the Scottish Tech Army’s volunteer-driven effort to revive and expand Microsoft’s beloved navigation app. We also explore the DotPad X’s tactile braille graphics, Dropbox Passwords shutting down, and listener ideas for future braille devices.
In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece bring two big accessibility updates. First, Soundscape—originally a Microsoft research project—has been rebuilt for Android by the Scottish Tech Army. Kirsty McIntosh joins to share the story, explain the beta testing phase, and call for community feedback, volunteers, translators, and sustainable funding. The team hopes charities will share the small running costs to keep it free for all users.
Next, we take a first look at DotPad X, a portable multi-line braille and tactile graphics display with both a 20-cell braille line and a 300-cell graphics area, compatible with major screen readers. Steven and Shaun reflect on the growing role of tactile graphics in braille tech.
Other topics include Dropbox sunsetting its password manager, listener Aaron’s thoughts on embedding accessibility into company culture, and Chris’s inventive suggestion for hot-swappable switches on braille keyboards. There’s also lighthearted banter on Windows NVDA issues, app organisation habits, and the nostalgia of mechanical keyboards.
Chapters
0:00 – Intro & Soundscape tease
2:40 – Soundscape comes to Android
12:10 – First look at DotPad X tactile display
20:35 – Dropbox Passwords shutting down
27:00 – Listener email: accessibility in company culture
33:15 – Listener email: hot-swappable braille keyboard switches
39:20 – Interview: Kirsty McIntosh, Scottish Tech Army, on Soundscape for Android
1:18:40 – Funding challenges and community support
1:27:15 – Closing thoughts & tomorrow’s big Envision announcement
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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.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece tackle a busy Double Tap episode covering studio overhauls, accessible Windows backup tools, the surprising survival of dial-up internet, Zoom’s spatial audio update, and the UK backlash over JAWS screen reader pricing changes.
In this candid conversation, Steven shares his once-a-year minimalist studio refresh and Shaun details his Windows PC reset woes—highlighting the need for accessible system imaging tools. They discuss the enduring pockets of AOL dial-up users, why rural connectivity still matters, and the limitations of outdated copper networks. The hosts also explore Zoom’s new spatial audio feature, its potential impact on fatigue, and whether it truly benefits accessibility.
The core of the episode focuses on confusion and frustration over JAWS’ new UK pricing model from Vispero and Sight & Sound Technology. Steven and Shaun break down the differences between US and UK licenses, the missing affordable “Home Annual License” option in the UK, and why home users may be pushed toward NVDA or other alternatives. They debate fairness, accessibility affordability, and possible solutions, with hopes for clearer communication and fairer pricing ahead.
Chapters
00:00 - Start
00:23 - Steven changes his office…. again!
04:31 - Shaun decides to reset his PC
10:29 - AOL set to shut down its dialup service
18:12 - Zoom is adding spatial audio to its meetings
20:28 - Sight and Sound Technology announces new pricing for JAWS and Zoomtext in UK to much controversy
29:29 - Get in touch with Double Tap
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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 a robot vacuum is redefining home cleaning—and why a new AI shopping tool could change how blind users browse and buy online.
In this lively episode, Steven and Shaun marvel at Roborock's innovative vacuum cleaner that doesn't just clean—it picks up after itself using a robotic arm. Thanks to OmniDescriber, listeners get a narrated demo of the vacuum’s sock-fetching abilities, sparking both amusement and serious conversation about the potential of robotic assistive tech in the home. Ashley Wu from RoboRock speaks to our Marc Aflalo about the company and its products.
The show then turns to a deep dive into InnoSearch with CEO and co-founder Patrick Long, who introduces their latest AI-powered upgrade, CoBrowse AI. This new tool allows users to navigate the InnoSearch website using voice commands, making online shopping more accessible and intuitive for blind and low-vision users. Patrick also shares insights into broader applications for the technology, including voice-based navigation for seniors and people with mobility challenges.
Listener emails explore creative approaches to reading quiz questions with VoiceOver, and actor Ryan Kelly from The Archers shares his script-reading workflow—offering real-world perspective on balancing Braille, screen readers, and accessibility devices like the Victor Reader Stream and SensePlayer.
A heartfelt discussion about living with vision loss, guilt around not using Braille daily, and the importance of validating all lived experiences rounds out the show. Plus, the hosts revisit the value of multi-line Braille displays, like the Canute from Bristol Braille.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:07 - Steven plays with OmniDescriber
01:32 - RoboRock is a smart robot vacuum with the ability to lift things out of its way
02:31 - Audio described video explaning how RoboRock works in practice
05:55 - Ashley Wu from RoboRock talks to Marc Aflalo about the company and its products
13:30 - Listener Paul helps Shaun with Reaper and asks about the best way for a blind person to host a quiz night
16:46 - Listener Ryan talks about how he reads his scripts for his role in The Archers
25:16 - Listener Cyndra gets in touch for the very first time with lots of thoughts
30:53 - Introudction
31:14 - Patrick Long from Innosearch joins the guys to discuss a new way to browse the site
52:41 - Listener Darran gets in touch to briefly give a mention to Bristol Braille Canute
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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.
Thanks to Turtleback Low Vision for sponsoring this episode of Double Tap. As a thank you to the Double Tap community, Turtleback is offering 12% off your entire order with promo code DT12. Visit https://www.turtlebacklv.com to shop the full lineup!
Can blind people access new AI-powered video description apps independently? Steven and Shaun break down tools like Omnidescriber, Vidiscribe, and Pickybot—and debate the barriers around braille literacy, tech pricing, and whether a screen reader might serve you better in the long run.
In this Friday edition of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun get into everything from public tech etiquette to powerful new tools for blind users looking to access video content. Shaun shares a personal story involving his Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, while Steven reveals his own “blind card” moments in public spaces. The two reflect on when—and how—using screen readers, voiceover, or audible notifications should be kept private.
The core of the episode dives into video description software. Steven details his experience with Omnidescriber, a fully accessible Windows app that uses Gemini and OpenAI APIs to generate audio descriptions for videos. They also touch on Vidiscribe, Pickybot, and even the video feature in Seeing AI—comparing their functionality and accessibility pros and cons.
The episode rounds out with powerful listener emails. One listener shares their excitement about learning braille and how tools like ChatGPT can now generate downloadable braille files. Another raises an important issue: are revolutionary tactile graphic devices like the Monarch really solving accessibility problems—or simply pricing people out?
Steven and Shaun confront uncomfortable questions: Should braille training be more available through public education? Are braille advocates overselling its workplace value? And in the end, is learning a screen reader more practical for blind users than investing thousands in braille tech?
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
10:22 - Listener asks about apps that audio describe video content
25:47 - Listener Dave asks how to find Double Tap on AntennaPod and how to use a computer without a mouse
31:52 - Get in touch with Double Tap
33:56 - Listener Trevor on various topics including the importance of braille
45:36 - Listener Dan on tech that often feels so out of reach
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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.
https://pneumasolutions.com/
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
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.
Can smart glasses help you play poker? Does AI give blind users superpowers? And what really happens when a guide dog retires? Steven and Shaun dig deep into the inbox to explore listener stories, smart tech, brain science, and blind pride—plus some laughs along the way.
This episode of Double Tap opens with caffeine-fueled chaos and rolls into a lively, insightful discussion based entirely on listener emails. Dean from New Zealand kicks things off with high praise for the WeWALK Smart Cane and a surprising nod to Shaun’s tip about using Copilot on mobile. The hosts then unpack the latest updates to the cane’s obstacle detection and battery life, teasing a full review coming soon.
Shaun explains why he prefers the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses over Envision despite Meta AI’s limitations—hint: it’s all about video calling and interface. Steven agrees, but raises concerns about battery life and the lack of display real estate. They also touch on upcoming AI-powered features like CoBrowse AI and agentic AIs, and the growing appeal (and privacy implications) of wearables.
Listener Craig shares his emotional experience of retiring his guide dog Merlin, prompting a deep discussion about the lack of control blind users have in that process. Steven also opens up about his own hesitations around getting a guide dog, from access refusals to society’s challenges.
Amy writes in with thoughtful reflections on sensory substitution—especially the growing research around brain plasticity in blind people—and shares a story about resisting pressure to wear glasses as a child. This sparks a nuanced conversation about disability identity, assumptions from sighted people, and whether blind people really do develop “super senses.”
Paul, a blind social worker, emails about using smart glasses to play cards or access online casinos. Steven and Shaun discuss current limitations, suggest tactile braille cards, and speculate about the future of AI-powered agents for gaming and kiosk access.
The episode wraps with praise for Richer Sounds and a broader chat about how experiential retail could revive the high street—and why Amazon might ironically be leading the way.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:44 - Listener Dean talks about the WeWalk smart cane and praises Shaun!
16:06 - Listener Craig talks about retirement of his guide dog, Merlin
29:37 - Get in touch with Double Tap
30:01 - Listener Amy on blindness and better hearing
44:36 - Listener Ian joins in on the praise of UK chain store Richer Sounds
48:53 - Listener Paul on smart glasses and accessible gambling
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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.
Is AI already powering your smart speaker? In this episode, Steven and Shaun explore how Google Gemini and Alexa’s new "Plus" mode are quietly transforming smart speakers. With real-world demos from listeners John and David, you'll hear how these assistants now understand complex questions, process documents, and even interact naturally. Plus, the team discusses why smart home integration still lags behind and whether we should trust tech that's always listening.
Steven and Shaun kick off the week with a deep dive into smart speaker upgrades—specifically, Google Gemini’s hidden rollout and Alexa’s new "Plus" AI mode. Listener John Dyer demonstrates how his Nest Audio speaker responds to complex queries with impressive context and accuracy, likely indicating early Gemini integration. Meanwhile, David Ward shares how Alexa Plus can read emailed PDFs, summarize newsletters, and interact naturally with attachments—revealing some surprising new features.
The conversation expands into frustrations with subscription services, cancelation difficulties, and AI’s growing role in creating accessible (and sometimes inaccessible) content. The hosts debate the ethical implications of ever-listening devices and the privacy concerns around AI-driven assistants. They also touch on smart home limitations, the slow pace of hardware updates, and the need for smarter device-to-AI integration.
It's an episode full of honest insights, listener feedback, and playful banter—with plenty of tech talk that matters to blind and low-vision users.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:37 - Why we were off on Monday!
03:22 - Double Tap Extra is now even easier to enjoy!
14:17 - John Dyer demos Google Gemini on his Nest Audio smart speaker
28:55 - Get in touch with Double Tap
29:49 - David Ward demonstrates Alexa Plus
42:28 - Listener Callie on Apple Music not reporting artist names on the Amazon Echo
46:51 - Listener Gregory talks about his experience of Alexa Plus
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
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.
What stops NVDA from being used more in the workplace? In this heated listener-fuelled debate, Steven and Shaun tackle accessibility, enterprise security myths, and the future of screen reader funding.
This episode is supported by Pneuma Solutions. Creators of accessible tools like Remote Incident Manager and Scribe. Get $20 off with code dt20 at https://pneumasolutions.com/ and enter to win a free subscription at doubletaponair.com/subscribe!
Steven and Shaun return with a spirited follow-up to their ongoing screen reader discussion—this time prompted by passionate listener feedback. At the center of the debate: why NVDA, a free and powerful open-source screen reader, isn’t more commonly used in professional environments compared to JAWS.
The episode kicks off with Greg from Pennsylvania, who criticizes Steven’s take and cites security concerns as the core barrier for NVDA adoption. Steven and Shaun counter this view, pointing to NVDA’s enterprise-ready options and dispelling outdated perceptions around open source software.
Listeners Aaron, Dan, and Wesley join the conversation with deeper insights—touching on real-world enterprise experiences, NVDA’s advantages over JAWS, and overlooked tools like Audacity. The episode expands to cover accessibility parity, the cultural divide in screen reader design, and the case for sustainable funding models like subscriptions.
The team also explores deeper topics like sheltered workshops for blind workers, volunteering as a bridge to employment, and the systemic issues that keep blind people from full participation in the workforce. With characteristic honesty and humour, Steven and Shaun push the conversation forward—refusing to accept the status quo in accessibility and inclusion.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:01 - Listener Greg’s thoughts on Steven’s rant about screen readers
08:44 - Listener Aaron shares his perspecitve on NVDA vs JAWS in the workplace
19:10 - Listener Dan shares his thoughts on screen readers in the workplace
25:49 - Listener Wesley wants to give credit to NVDA and Audacity apps
29:32 - Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
30:26 - Get in touch with Double Tap
30:56 - Listener James gives us a double demo of two cool features you may not know about
44:34 - Listener Scout shares his views on workshops for the blind
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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.
Get hands-on with the new Orbit Player in Liam Erven’s unboxing, and hear how the Speakaboo app helps blind users locate everything—including dog poop! Plus, listener emails on diabetes tech and disability attitudes.
Thanks to Turtleback Low Vision for sponsoring this episode of Double Tap. As a thank you to the Double Tap community, Turtleback is offering 12% off your entire order with promo code DT12. Visit https://www.turtlebacklv.com to shop the full lineup!
Get hands-on with the new Orbit Player in Liam Erven’s unboxing, and hear how the Speakaboo app helps blind users locate everything—including dog poop! Plus, listener emails on diabetes tech and disability attitudes.
In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun dive into the accessibility tech that’s both practical and unexpectedly funny. First, they share a listener-led unboxing of the Orbit Player by Liam Erven, revealing a compact and powerful device designed with blind users in mind. They discuss its menu responsiveness, audio quality, price point, and how it compares to other players like the Victor Reader Stream and SensePlayer.
Then, Gregg Hayes returns with a unique and genuinely useful demo of the AI-powered Speakaboo app. He shows off its intuitive features—including prebuilt Siri Shortcuts—and demonstrates the app’s standout tool: a “dog poop spotter” that uses the iPhone’s camera to locate messes in your yard. Yes, it’s a real thing, and it might just change your life if you’re a blind dog owner.
The conversation also tackles listener feedback on accessible diabetes tools, affordable glucose monitors, and the ongoing lack of accessible solutions in healthcare. Finally, Steven and Shaun address a listener email about the frustrating and dehumanizing experiences disabled people often face in public spaces—from being pushed in a wheelchair without consent to having their white canes grabbed.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:55 - Skechers adds hidden AirTag pocket for children’s shoes - good or bad idea?
14:49 - Liam Erven’s unboxing of the Orbit Player
32:41 - Sponsor: TurtleBack
33:19 - Get in touch with Double Tap
33:43 - Listener Gregg Hayes reviews the Speakaboo app
46:45 - Listener Jim on diabetes testing technology
53:04 - Listener Ang on the attitudes of others towards disabled people
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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.
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