The Apple October Keynote Event

 

Here is the link to the October event (if you have Audio Description enabled it will activate).

 

https://www.apple.com/apple-events/october-2020/

 

HomePod Mini

 

HomePod Mini for only $149 Australian.

Note - HomePod still available.

HomePod Mini with Intercom feature, much smaller and lighter, and other features.

Pre-order November 7, and available November 16.

For all of the specs of the HomePod Mini and what it can do, check out the following link.

 

https://www.apple.com/au/homepod-mini/

 

iPhone 12

 

iPhone 12 (and 12 mini).

iPhone 12 Pro (and Pro Max).

 

Note - iPhone 12 Pro only iPhone with LIDAR Scanner and 3rd lens.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro 6.1 inch screen.

iPhone 12 mini 5.4 inch screen, and iPhone 12 Pro Max 6.7 inch screen.

Ceramic shield (4 times more drop resistant), Mag Safe connectivity, and sort of feels like an iPhone 4 or 5 with the glass front/back, and the stainless steel band around the edge.

All iPhone 12’s have 5G.

Remember, there are no USB chargers or ear phones in the iPhone box any more.  Plus the cable that comes with the iPhone is a lightning to USBC cable, so if you have existing UsB A chargers or USB wall sockets, you’ll need to grab a UsBC to USB adapter.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro  pre-order October 16, available October 23.

iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-order November 7.

Even with the toughened glass, I still recommend putting any phone in a case (such as the Mag Safe cases etc) and a glass screen protecter.

For all the specs of the iPhone 12 in its 4 variations check out the following link.

 

https://www.apple.com/au/iphone-12/

 

A Possible warning about the use of the Amazon FireTV Stick Lite with Alexa Remote in Australia

 

I just want to give you a bit of a warning about the Amazon FireTV stick Lite with Alexa Remote, when I got mine, it seems that because I’m in Australia and my Amazon account is also Australian, the Text to speech for VoiceView to make the FireTV speak does not work.

Alexa is fine, but you won’t be able to navigate with VoiceView unless you have a US account.  When I tried with the help of my son to force my region and language to US, VoiceView worked for about 2 mins and then stopped.

I hope this was me, but something to be careful about if you are considering one of these devices and you are in Australia, and have an Aussie Amazon account.

As we go to air this week, I’m still waiting on my Google TV stick so here is hoping the experience with the screen reader is different.

At any rate, there is still the Apple TV smile. 

 

https://www.amazon.com.au/Fire-TV-Stick-Lite-with-Alexa-Voice-Remote-Lite%C2%A0/dp/B07ZZW1B82/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=amazon+fire+tv+stick+with+alexa+remote&qid=1603068376&sr=8-5

 

Virtual Event - International Council on English Braille  

 

The link to the International Council on English Braille (ICEB)

General Assembly Running from today through to Friday morning from 6:00am AEDT.

Stream commences half an hour earlier.

 

I think it is amazing with these virtual events, that in some ways they are more accessible to a wider audience than people having to travel, pay for accommodation, worrying about physical access or for some folks, they may be well enough to attend virtually but not physically.

 

In some ways, a bit sad that it took a pandemic  to prove a bit of a point about virtual conferences.

 

Links to audio on demand and podcasts also available from the page link below.

 

http://live.braillecast.com