Exploring Tech Webinar for DEC 22 2021, the year in review

Having a tech look at all the hardware and software that caught my attention in 2021.

Register at:

https://visionaustralia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XMyRcnXdSVOHD9WCg2ng2w 

Seeing AI iOS app as of the recent update now supports the Australian currency.

Finally finally finally, you can identify Australian notes via the currency mode in the Seeing AI iOS app.

I just wish they would have put in QR code reading given what we have had to use with COVID-19.

New Fully Accessible Recording App for iOS, Pocket Recorder

Nice to see another recorder for iOS, and fully compatible with VoiceOver.

I always think it is great when a developer goes that extra step and works on an app to make sure everyone can use it.

https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/introducing-pocket-recorder-accessible-audio-recorder

Grid Frame Studio - Every Classic needs to be Framed

This company frames classic hardware to put up on your wall to display it proudly.

Amongst other stuff, for me, I’m going to order the iPhone 3GS as this was the phone that supported VoiceOver, and the iPhone 4s for Siri support.

Simply it is a deconstructed iPhone in this case.

Other classic hardware is also available, I just focused on the iPhone.

For the tech geek.

https://gridstudio.cc

Apple Makes Maps more Useable in Australia

Apple Maps has finally been updated in Australia with a new UI, navigation, and public transport integration.

Like all changes, I’m still getting used to the new interface, but so far so good, especially for public transport.

https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2021/12/apple-maps-australia/

Life 360 The Company Reported to be Bying Tile is Selling Location Data

This company allows family members to keep track of each other.

As Life 360 already states in their privacy statement, they sell data to 3rd party’s to keep the service free on anonymous location data, phone battery usage etc.

Problem is, how much of Tile data if any will be sold to 3rd party data brokers, and can we be sure that it is perfectly anonymous.

Just something to keep an eye on.

https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/12/life360-the-company-buying-tile-is-purportedly-selling-the-location-data-of-millions-of-families-and-kids/

Voice Access in Windows 11 Insider Build

Note - Insider builds are beta versions of Windows before the commercial release of the next version.

This sounds very similar to Voice Control on Mac/iOS, and nice to see it come to Windows 11 beta.

Haven’t tried it myself, but here is hoping it will work with Narrator and Windows Magnifier.

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/12/08/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22518/

5 predictions for the Near Future from Bill Gates

The one that stood out for me was virtual conferences using VR glasses and haptic gloves to be “present” in an actual virtual meeting.

Like the author states, not sure why we would want to do this in the first place.

https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/12/5-predictions-for-the-near-future-from-bill-gates/ 

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