So Christmas Day - What I got This Time Grin

 

Lovely custom Apple Watch Bands, and a case to hold my 15 Apple Watch Bands.

 

My Last Tech Friday for the Year for 2018 - Discussion of Available Podcasts from VA Radio and Other Sources

 

I posted this on the day of the Tech Hub for sourcing podcasts produced by Vision Australia Radio and other sources that you can listen to on Desktop, Mobile, custom Devices, and Smart Speakers.

 

https://participate.visionaustralia.org/Tech-Hub/news_feed/podcasts-from-vision-australia

 

Something That I Will be Looking At in 2019 - the RIVO 2 keyboard

 

The RIVO keyboard which is a Bluetooth custom keyboard for VoiceOver users (and Android) which allows you to control the smart phone I last reviewed and did a demo on back in May 2014.

The RIVO has been updated since and is now version 2, and will be looking forward to taking it through its paces and doing a demo on it in Jan 2019.

 

If you want to listen to my original demo, the link is below plus the link to the RIVO 2 manual.

 

My Demo of the RIVO from May 2014

 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-7ehn4-4e9b53

 

RIVO 2 Manual

 

http://rivo.me/manual/en/rivo_2.2_en

 

BlindAlive EyesFree Fitness work outs is closing Down as of the 31st of December 2018 - but you can grab their Programs For Free

 

Excellent set out of work outs for people who are blind or low vision.

 

https://eyesfreefitness.com/buy.php

 

Great News for Commonwealth Bank of Australia Customers - Apple Pay Coming in Jann 2019

 

This is like a Christmas present all on its own, this just leaves the NAB and Westpac to come onbaord.

 

https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/cba-to-launch-apple-pay-in-the-new-year-giving-up-its-opposition-20181211-p50lmk.html?fbclid=IwAR0v0rLAgZTPStw3_DqA4-CCWs4iAVsulc1AyB0JykyKJMxtckJX5HsX5_k

 

Apple Music Available on the amazon Echo (at least in the US)

 

Great news that you can subscribe to Apple Music on the Amazon Echo.  Here is hoping that it will roll out to Australia soon.

 

https://9to5mac.com/2018/12/14/apple-music-amazon-echo-alexa/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+%289+to+5+Mac+-+Apple+Intelligence%29

 

Digital Ownership - Do You Truly Own Your Movies ETC

 

Short answer for this article is no you don’t.

 

https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/disappearing-movies-and-games-how-safe-is-your-digital-collection-20181206-p50km2.html?platform=hootsuite

 

If you are  getting an amazon Echo, Google Home, HomePod, Android phone, iPhone, Mac 

or Windows device, tips on getting your screen reader or speech output working.

 

iOS - iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Can simply use Siri to say “Voiceover on” or “VoiceOver off”.

Otherwise, Settings, Accessibility, Voiceover, and turn it on.

Can also set VoiceOver as a shortcut within accessibility settings as well.

 

Mac OS

Can simply use Siri to say “VoiceOver on” or VoiceOver off”.

Otherwise System Preferences, Accessibility, VoiceOver, and turn it on.

Shortcut key for VoiceOver toggle is Command+F5.

 

Windows 10

At search edit field, type in Narrator and select to use.

Shortcut key toggle is Caps lock+Control+Windows+Enter.

 

Accessibility Start and End sounds for Amazon Echo

Amazon Alexa app - Settings tab, All Devices button, choose device (Davids Echo), Edit button, Sounds, Start Of ReQuest (Turn toggle on), and End Of Request (Turn toggle on).

Accessibility Start and End sounds for Google Home

Google Home app - choose device (Davids Speaker), Settings button, Accessibility sounds, and tick on Start of Request and End of Request (if using a Google Home Hub, you can also tick on screen reader)

 

HomePod with VoiceOver

Can simply use Siri to say “VoiceOver on” or VoiceOver off”.

Otherwise, Home app, choose speaker (kitchen speaker) and select Controls, Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver, and turn it on.

 

Apple TV

Can simply use Siri to say “VoiceOver on” or VoiceOver off”.

Otherwise, Settings, General, Accessibility, VoiceOver, and turn VoiceOver on.

 

Apple Watch

Can simply use Siri to say “VoiceOver on” or VoiceOver off”.

Otherwise, turn VoiceOver on via the Watch app and go in to Settings, General, Accessibility, VoiceOver, and turn it on.

 

Note over the end of the year and the new year, you can still contact the Microsoft and Apple help desk in particular

Apple - 1300 365 083.

Microsoft - 1800 280 300.