RNIB Tech Talk

A special Tech Talk for you all this week, as we have a look into accessible gaming!

Steven is joined by five visually impaired gamers (Lynette, Kim, Abbie, Sophie and Matt) discussing the challenges and joys that gaming while blind gives. All part of RNIB’s campaign called Gaming for RNIB.

Also joining us, disabled gamers Steve Saylor and Courtney Craven share their views on the latest virtual E3 conference.

And also this week, RNIB’s Joanne Wilson from the Technology for Life team answers customer’s queries on the most accessible TVs on the market.

Share your thoughts on accessible gaming with the team! [email protected] for all your emails, as ever

Tech Talk is back in your ears once again, and boy... we're sounding good!
It's a full house this week - Steven's in the big chair, and is joined by Robin, Tim and Emails Andy, and there's a lot packed into today's hour!
Firstly, we're talking TV. Unfortunately, television set top boxes have for many years been a challenge for blind and partially sighted people, as they haven’t had accessibility features to speak aloud or make clearly what is on screen. We've been chatting to Fraser Stirling from Sky Q about how that is changing, with new features such as Voice Guidance. We also have a listener review on Sky Q from 'Friend of the Show' Kelly.
Speaking of regular listeners, Julian II follows up from our Technology for Life feature from a few weeks back with a personal review of the update to Google Lookout. It's such a promising app, but is it winning over the self proclaimed 'negative' Julian?
Also this week, Chris Turner joins us from RNIB's Technology for Life team to introduce us to the voice recording app Just Press Record, which is available on many SmartPhones, the gang talk about the next big Windows update, for Diabetes Awareness Week we're looking at what tech is out there to help monitor our diabetes with Thurston Bluhm, and, after a few weeks break, we crack open the steamer trunk of emails, now creeping back up to eight pages - Is Sky Go accessible on Android and Windows devices? More on the topic on Aftershoks headphones, NVDA vs Jaws, the much-debated RNIB Radio, pigs wearing lipstick, and is Robin really an undercover Amazon agent? We welcome your comments on anything from today's show, be it Sky Q, diabetes, recording devices, or Google Lookout - email the team at [email protected] and hear your thoughts read out by the silky smooth English tones of Emails Andy!
Chat to you all next week!

Well well well; look who the cat dragged in...! It's time for the glorious return of Tech Talk - Have you missed us? 
Steven's back, and is joined by Robin and Tim for a show dedicated to WWDC 2021- Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is held annually, and this year, held online. It was a two hour marathon of new software developments, IOS improvements and generally what new things the Apple whiz kids have been working on since we last saw them.

So what do the guys make of it? Was there any mention of accessibility? What new advancement are the team looking forward to the most?
Thank you for bearing with us whilst we were absent over the past few weeks, and thank you for the emails and messages regarding Steven. Our inbox is starting to collate nicely, so if you'd like to share your thoughts about this years' WWDC, or anything else on your mind, the address is [email protected], and you'll have your musings read out on a future episode!
Until then, stay safe!

Good day, everyone! Team Tech Talk returns for yet another show, full of accessible tech gossip and talking points. Settle down with a brew and a biscuit, and let us entertain you for the next hour!
On today's show, Steven is joined by Robin, Tim, Emails Andy and special guest Sue Dunn, who is a service user at the KVIN. Sue joins us to talk to us all about her experiences using SuperNova, the magnifier and screen reader for Windows. Can it be a serviceable alternative to other options? How customisable is it?
Also on this week, Hannah joins us from the RNIB Technology For Life team to tell us all about What Three Words- the app that divides the world into three metre squares, gives each square a unique combination of three words, that makes it easier to find and share exact locations.
We dip back into emails as well - and thank you so much for filling our inbox back up over the last week! We talk a little more about the disappointment regarding the RNIB Digital Radio, Steven asking Microsoft for favours, fully talking telephones, and problems with making phone calls on the Amazon Echo.

[email protected] for all your correspondence, as ever.
Join us next week!

Yes, it's us again, twice in one day - we spoil you!
On this episode, we have Steven, Robin, Andy, Callum and Shaun - and it is our goal to clear the TT email inbox - do we succeed? You'll have to listen to find out!
We start off the show a little confused, which admittedly, isn't that hard for some of us! But we soon dive back into your questions and queries, including: Lady A devices with minds of their own, a little more Aftershokz and cheek vibrations, reading manuals, fanfares, the merits of Voiceover, more NVDA chat, being wanted, this time with an actual NVDA user, bonny ladies or bunny ladies, working Netflix with Audio Description on your iPhone, convoluted Apple shortcuts, and loads more!
Want to air your opinion on Aftershokz, accessible TV's, screen readers or smart speakers? Email us at [email protected]
We'll be back next Tuesday at 1PM on both radio and podcast - see you then!

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Tech Talk!
What a treat we have for you this week - two Tech Talks! Now, I could explain that one aired on Bank Holiday Monday, and the other in the usual TT timeslot of Tuesday 1PM on RNIB Connect Radio, but you don't need to worry about that, as this is podcast world! Both shows are coming to you at the usual time. How generous are we? Very!
Steven is joined by Robin, Andy, and a returning Callum this week to hopefully empty the email inbox - firstly, we cover a rather impassioned email about the RNIB Digital Radio we reviewed a few weeks back - some people believe the product is falling far short of expectations, leaving them a little underwhelmed - as we like to be unbiased about these things, we talk about the apparent shortfalls. Does this radio discriminate?
Also, we hear about a success story of someone reporting an accessibility bug to the developer - it always brings a smile to hear these types of stories, especially when the company then goes out of its way to improve the software for an audience it maybe didn't consider the item was for.
We also dip our toes back into the NVDA chat, after an email from a coder - what would be the best screen reader to progress to for an increase of productivity, but with a lack of resources to try them all?
Also on this week, we talk about Steven's big head (literally in this case, although he's been hearing that figurative insult for years now!), tips on using smartphones left handed, incognito mode, Lady A on a PC, accessible TV's and PVRs (Personal Video Recorders), Aftershokz, Soundscape, and... what's in the box?!
Coming up in 379, Shaun Preece... You lucky people!

It's Tuesday, it's 1pm, that means only one thing...Tech Talk!
Steven, Robin and Tim are all here to talk about the smorgasbord of new colourful products from Apple... yep, sorry haters, of course we're talking about the Spring Loaded Event, including the new iMac, and AirTags, and improvements to Apple TV. What do the team make of the news; underwhelmed, overwhelmed?
There is more to talk about, as ever - Ben Rendle is here from RNIB's Technology For Life team to tell us how he uses the Amazon Echo in his home, we're also joined by Paul Bepey to hear about Braille Displays, including the ElBraille.
As Steven mentioned in the show, next week we have not one, but TWO Tech Talks... you lucky people! You can tune in to RNIB Connect Radio on Bank Holiday Monday at 5PM to hear show one of our email specials, and then the second will be in our usual timeslot on a Tuesday. If you only listen via podcasts, no need to panic - both shows will drop one after the other on Tuesday at 1pm.
You still have time to get your emails in for those shows - but be quick! Want to air your opinion on the Apple event? What to talk about the latest tech product in your life? Have you purchased the new RNIB Digital Radio we talked about last week? All subjects will be covered! [email protected], and Andy will add them to the list for next week.
Until then!

Here we are, once again, talking accessible technology on the aptly named Tech Talk!

Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and emails Andy for this week, as well as a whole host of special guests! Firstly, Steven has been chatting to the team at blindandroidusers.com, for an in-depth talk about Android and accessibility, availability, popularity, as well as the updates to TalkBack, Android Braille options, and taking the first steps away from a certain smartphone rival!

Also on the show, Steven gives a full and detailed, hands on review of the  new RNIB digital radio, including the features and functions it has.

Not only that, we hear a clip from an interview from RNIB Connect Radio's Ellie Marsh on how Be My Eyes can help you with your Home Covid tests, we very briefly mention the Apple event which is happening today (April 20th), (but we'll save that for another time), and we tackle your emails and voicemails, including a couple more tips on productivity.

To email us your thoughts on the topics we covered today, email [email protected], and you'll hear it in an upcoming show.

If you'd like to find out more about Blind Droid Users, you can find them on your podcast app of choice, as well as smart speakers, and on internet enabled victor reader devices. You can follow them on Twitter here, or join their mailing list sending an email to to [email protected]

Chat to you all soon!

Hi there! Welcome back to Tech Talk. There is loads and loads and loads in today's show, how on earth we cram everything in to one hour is beyond comprehension! Firstly, we can say that Steven, Robin and Andy are re-joined by Tim once again, after a brief absence - welcome back Mr Schwartz!

On today's show, we talk about some new products coming soon from the RNIB that has Steven all giddy! The new product guide was revealed at the start of April, and we talk through some of the items available - full demos from Steven coming soon, if he can ever stop saying the word "excited"!

Also this week, Steven chats with Dennis Stansbury, Amazon’s UK Country Manager for Alexa Experience and Devices, about the Echo Show 10 - the newest in the 'Lady A' range of smart speakers, which includes a 10.1" HD screen that moves automatically and always keeps you in the frame - a big plus for video calls, and following recipes in the kitchen!

Our Technology for Life team feature comes via Fraser Fleming of Triple Tap Tech in Scotland, who is talking all about accessible gaming!

What's that, you want more? Fine! We even have time to dip our toes into the pool of emails - this week, moving from PC to Mac, and what that means for those switching from Jaws to Voiceover.

All that, plus clamshell phones, QVC, Perky Duck, sunsets, ruminating, Demolition Man, and being covered in chocolate.

We love to read your emails, so if you have thoughts on the Echo Show 10, gaming consoles and accessibility, the new products from Amazon or anything in between... [email protected]

P.S. Coming soon to this feed - a special Tech Talk Geek Out podcast on Aira!

Chat to you all next week :)

Good day, lovely people!

On today's TT, Steven, Robin and Andy are once again joined by Shaun to talk all manner of wonderful things!

Some big news to come from Sky TV last week - Sky Q now gives more control to visually impaired customers, thanks to the service’s latest update, including a new Voice Guidance feature, which has got everyone all giddy!

Also, we hear all about Google Lookout, as Davinder Kullar from RNIB's Technology For Life team explains all.

Robin's having a few cross words with Lady A this week too - did you know you can do crosswords (or play crosswords, according to Steven), on your Echo device?

In emails this week, defending NaviLens, QR codes, and a question about cooking hobs not being accessible.

Finally... Get well soon, Tim!

Chat to you all next Tuesday!