My Top Items from The Vision Australia Vision Store

 

Stella Trek GPS.

EOne Time Piece.

Arkon Desktop Stand.

Shokz Bone Conduction Head Phones.

 

Micheal’s Top Items from the VA Store

 

JAWS.

Zoomtext.

Fusion.

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org

 

New Vision Australia Vision Store Catalogues

 

Magnification and Assistive Tech in various formats.

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/catalogues

 

Clearance on the VA Store from Jun 1 Until stocks Last

 

Check out the Clearance item listing from Jun 1 to save up to 70 percent off.

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org

 

What is Coming up at WWDC 2023

 

All the iOS, iPad OS, TV, Watch, and Mac OS new versions.

15 MacBook Air.

Apple Reality Pro and xrOS (new OS since Watch OS in 2014)..

 

https://9to5mac.com/2023/05/26/wwdc-2023-what-to-expect/

 

By The Way, Speaking of 

Apple Products

 

Vision Store also sells Apple products, including my favourite iPhone 14, and Apple Watch 8.

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/everyday-technology/apple.html

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141

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The Tech Industry Accessibility Related Products and Launch’s Last Week for GAAD

 

Very impress by both what Apple, and Google in particular announced.

Remember these feature announcements are coming in the next several months.

 

https://www.engadget.com/the-tech-industrys-accessibility-related-products-and-launches-this-week-130022115.html?src=rss&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAItHf3ac-H0PDfsNfNM_BY_F93R8atQBdXqtkoRpg-anTpYPOhbvxFOOvHpusD4Fn3sRtvF0mMJhQe16NSbEpgiQKTLooWWVnf8AfshcmoU67xAIOv8aqmnbXFf1K_aokbyZEl9XKr9mbUvnt6LMeRej2_Yx7PVbC6sZsQFDtZNs

 

 

Apple Releases Tap to Pay with physical card/pin on iPhone In Australia

 

Allows people who are blind or low vision to independently enter their pin when required on a merchants iPhone. Really does work extremely well.

The app also works with Voiceover if the Merchant is blind or low vision themselves.

 

https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2023/05/apple-introduces-tap-to-pay-on-iphone-in-australia/

 

 

Podcast of Exploring Apple Pay “Tap to Pay” when using a Physical Credit Card

 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jingw-140e688?utm_campaign=admin_episode&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=episode_share

 

Just Received my Replacement Westpac Credit card, and What a Surprise

 

It now has a cut out on one end where you put it into an ATM, and Braille on the other end.

Be interesting to find out if other credit card folks too a similar thing.

I would encourage folks to find out.

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141

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Hardware that my Smart phone has replaced.

 

Alarm clock.

Address book.

Audio description (no more DVDS).

Books (text or audio)..

Bar code scanner.

Calculator.

Camera.

Cash identifier.

Credit card.

Compass.

Colour identifier.

Computer.

Count down timer.

Dictionary.

Daisy and media player.

Find item.

Games.

GPS.

Hearing assistance.

Keyboard (Braille).

Keyboard (QWERTY).

Labeller.

Learn Braille.

Learn coding.

Learn typing.

Learn spelling.

Large print clock.

Light detecter.

Magnifier.

Mobile phone.

Music player.

Note taker.

Obstacle detection.

Obstacle identification.

Obstacle distance.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)..

Person (face) recognition.

Pedometer.

Phone mobile or land line (calls, texts, speaker phone, accessibility options etc).

Radio.

Spirit level.

Stop watch.

Reminder.

Talking/large print Watch.

Timer.

Torch.

TV.

Vibrating clock.

Video real time assistance.

Voice control.

Voice dictation.

Voice assistant.

Voice Recorder.

Weather/temperature.

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Hicaps New Terminals Accessible to Blind or Low vision

 

These are the EFTPOS terminals you find in allied health centres that you use to pay for your service and/or your private health fund.

 

I’ve noticed over the last few weeks these accessible terminals popping up at the Chiropractor, physiotherapist, and Optometrist.

 

I believe this is part of an upgrade to the new Trinity Terminals that are being upgraded to support blind or low vision.

 

Ask about this next time you visit the Phisio etc.

 

https://www.hicaps.com.au

 

Call Annie

 

A Chatbot for iPhone you can really talk to and she talks to you.

 

https://apps.apple.com/app/id6447928709C

 

Be-My-Eyes

 

I’ve seen a few conversations on social media about the fact that the virtual assistant for Be-My-Eyes will not be ready for everyone until September. So for the moment, you will be getting Pending.

 

How to Hopefully Speed up VoiceOver Launch and running time (no terminal required)

 

I’ve tried this and the best I can say is that I think it works.

Simply, it gives VoiceOver priority over all other running apps on your Mac.

 

https://applevis.com/forum/macos-mac-apps/how-hopefully-speed-voiceover-launch-time-performance-mac-

no-terminal-required

 

Some of the Main Stream Tech Stuff That Have disappeared over the last 50 years For Me That I used for Work and Play

 

Manual Type writer.

 

Tapes and tape recorders.

 

Record player and records.

 

Mini Dictaphone.

 

Dial up 300 baud modem

 

Dial up BBS.

 

Audio Pages.

 

VCR Player and tapes

 

Walkman.

 

Mp3 Players.

 

iPods.

 

9 dot matrix printer.

 

Apple IIE

 

5.25 and 3.5 inch floppy disks.

 

4.77mhz, 286, 386, 486 etc IBM compatible PC’s.

 

21 inch CRT monitors.

 

IBM PS2.

 

Luggable laptops.

Toshiba Laptops for a good 30 years.

 

MSDOS 3.31.

 

System 6.07.

 

Macintosh SE.

 

Power PC Mac.

 

Various LC Macs.

 

IBM OS2.

 

Windows 3.1.

 

Brick mobile Phones.

 

Symbian mobile phones.

 

First Mac mini running Tiger 10.4.

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141

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Microsoft is Ending Windows 10 Updates

 

Whilst you will receive stability and security updates for Windows 10 until October 2025, there will not be new version of Windows 10.

 

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-is-ending-windows-10-updates/?ServiceType=twitter&UniqueID=6499E87A-E542-11ED-A58C-239879448730&TheTime=2023-04-27T21%3A28%3A03&ftag=COS-05-10aaa0b&PostType=link

 

Microsofts Phone Link for iOS Brings iPhone to Windows

 

The Phone Link app has been around for a while for Android phone users. Now Microsoft is bringing this connectivity to iPhone users for notifications, phone calls, and Messages.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/04/26/microsofts-phone-link-for-ios-has-arrived-bringing-a-crippled-imessage-to-windows-11?utm_medium=rss

 

Researchers Developed Tiny Hydraulic Haptics for Touch Screen Surfaces

 

This type of development with hydrolic haptic  feedback for touch screens where buttons can be felt on the screen has some pretty amazing implications. 

 

https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/27/tactile-push-notifications/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIgfVFYnW50pInyjCfX1N_D1pzvqTu7erq3xN46U8B9P7UurorX69dS4mQTX9reGhaSJsACzQlnl5o7MMzWWeQ_J_tV9_xjelghlHFl4VsiGJbQTkIveGixq3Lw2MLT181EiJO4RrmFcTAKxZ7_ZmfWDQhgX7jsLRmaIbvrc0Cby

 

Someone Just Made the First satellite Phone call using a Standard Mobile Phone

 

We are slowly getting there, the ability to use a standard mobile phone to make satellite phone calls.

 

https://www.zdnet.com/article/someone-just-made-the-first-ever-voice-call-over-satellite-with-an-everyday-phone/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

 

Grid 2008 - Hang an iConic MacBook Air on your Wall

 

Grid is a company who frames smart phones, well at least their insides etc, in  a picture frame you can hang on the wall: mine is of the iPhone 3GS when VoiceOver became available on the ipHone.

They have now branched out in to laptops with this version of the framed 2008 MacBook Air.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/04/29/grid-macbook-air-review-an-original-mac-framed-for-your-wall?utm_medium=rss

 

What To Expect from Google IO for 2023

 

As this is a developer conference, all the usual updates. What has me intreested is the talked about  Pixell foldable phone like the Samsung Z3/Z4 which is what I have (i.e. Z3).

 

https://9to5google.com/2023/04/29/google-io-2023-preview/

-a-revamp-tile-for-cats-aint-it/

 

Spotify Redoes the Mac app with a Handy Sidebar

 

I always kept forgetting there was a Spotify Mac app. It recently got updated and I decided to have a look at it: very accessible and usable for VoiceOver users sent the Mac.

 

https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/28/spotify-new-mac-app-design-sidebar/

 

20 Years of iTunes Music 

 

Yep, where would be without iTunes originally purchasing music, and then the industry offering up streaming services.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/04/28/music-changed-forever-with-apples-itunes-music-store-20-years-ago?utm_medium=rss

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Explore 5 from VA Shop no longer being sold, Clover 6 from QT recommended.

Rechargeable batteries.

A Reminder About Getting the Most Out of your Router

RIM  public beta for Mac.

How to add an Apple Watch workout manually

iBreath app for breathing exercises.

Several game app suggestions:

Purple Friday

Project dark

Blind Quest 2

Blind quest 3

Excellent scifi series on Disney Plus

The Orville, which is Audio Described.

My podcast on the DotPad

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Talking Tech for April 17 2017

Name of the App That was Made more Accessible for iPhone/Watch Talked about Last week

Gentler Streak Fitness app.

I find this gives me a lot more information than the Workout/Activity apps on my watch/phone.

https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/06/gentler-streak-ios-accessibility-features/

Be Connected from the eSafety Commissioner Australia has an Excellent Monthly Podcast

Who is watching You: all about public and online safety.

Be Connected is aimed at the senior population and has fantastic learning modules explaining everything from PC’s and smart phones, to using social media and beyond.

  Connected.

https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/whos-watching-you?utm_campaign=2304_BC_lms_april_phones&utm_id=9b33092b9034e61673b2fb131e78a6b9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eSafety_edm

New Apps for the blind Shell Classic 2

GPS Points, Spotify, and Tic Tac Toe.

Outstanding one here for me is the GPS points.

Color Star from Care Tech - Conor Identifier and Light detecter

Besides being available from APH in the US, Pacific Vision in Australia also sells this product, although $900 Australian for this product you would want to make sure it fits your needs.

Make Something Different, About Steve Jobs in his Own  (free)Words

Think I’d use my Smart phone for this.

https://www.aph.org/product/colorstar/

Protect Your /data with a USB Data condom  

2 simple rules here: use a Data Blocker (the USB and Condom), a VPN,

https://www.zdnet.com/article/protect-your-data-with-a-usb-condom/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

Kick Starter Restarting May 2 2023 - BrailleDoodle from Touch

From the Touch Pad Pro Foundation.

This device has me interested. It’s like a reverse hand frame where magnetic balls are pulled up via a stylus in a grid of hundreds of holes to produce diagrams, maths, words etc in Braille.

Then to simply get rid of the Braille, push the balls/pins down.

This was shown off at CSuN 2023, $70 US when the Kick Starter starts again I believe on May 2.

I’m pre-ordering mine just for the novelty of this product.

https://www.touchpadprofoundation.org

Clarification about the Braille used in the Big Vision Books from Vision Australia

The Braille in these books are UV printed not embossed, thus the Braille is quite flat and hard to read. You can ask for an embossed version to be sent out to you.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/matt-formston-surfing-in-the-dark.html

A Reminder on Where to Follow me on Social Media

Woodbridge on Twitter, and [email protected] if you want to keep up with what I am doing.

And of course, don’t forget Monday evenings at 7:30PM Sydney time for Tech Mondays tech chit chat.

https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/staying-connected/events/2023-04-17/tech-mondays-david-woodbridge

Vision Australia Radiothon is on now. Donate via www.varadio.org and make a tax deductible donation of $2 or more to support our service to the blind, low vision and print disability community.

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141

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Firstly in this episode, some news as always, and then what David and Stephen have on their desk.

 

News

 

Gentler Streak fitness App Now fully Accessible

 

https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/06/gentler-streak-ios-accessibility-features/

 

Remote Incident Manager for Mac Request Beta page

 

https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-comes-to-the-mac-platform/

 

Klack  for Mac brings Mechanical Keyboard Sounds to Mac

 

https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/05/klack-app-mechanical-keyboard-sound-effects-for-mac/

 

Mosen At Large Changes to Living Blindfully 

 

https://mosen.org/episode-223-the-future-of-mosen-at-large-is-living-blindfully/e

 

Google Warning Nest Hub Owners that Games are Going Away

 

https://9to5google.com/2023/04/09/nest-hub-games/

 

White, Pink, Blue or Brown Noise, Which is Better for Sleep

 

https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/white-pink-blue-or-brown-noise-which-is-best-for-your-sleep/

What is on David’s and 

Stephen’s Desks.

 

David

 

I personally like to know what folks use in the way of assistive and Main Stream Technology on their desks to work, study or play.

 

Every school holidays I drag all my stuff back together and see if I still have all the bits and bobs, for the next school term as it were.

 

So here are mine.

 

MacBook Air.

iPad.

iPhone.

Zoom Podtrak P4 for use with Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Microphone with floor stand for use with Mac, iPad, and iPhone via Zoom Podtrak P4.

Head set for monitoring sound output and input from Zoom Podtrak P4 with Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Mic stand for iPad, and iPhone.

BT keyboard to connect with Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Braille display to connect with Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

AirPods Pro 3 to connect with MacBook, iPad, and iPhone.

Samsung phone, and watch.

Windows 11 Surface Pro.

Accessible Power bank for iPad, and iPhone.

Power bank for MacBook air.

Port hub replicator.

Power cube, and extension cable.

 

And it may not sound like it, but all of this fits in my computer bag.

 

Stephen has:

•  
• Studio mike with desk stand;
• Vocaster audio interface;
• Mac Book air which is used to record and process TT;
• The trusted and loyal Windows 10 desktop computer;
• A windows 11 laptop;
• The Brailliant BI 20 X braille display from Humanware.

Then there is the Epson printer / scanner which talks easily with the desktop or the app on my or Vicki’s iphone.

The latest acquisition is the Hims SensePlayer. It’s a game changer with the flexibility and convenience.

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A Reminder About Day Light Savings Time Stopping in NSW and the Time for Tech Mondays

 

Tech Monday is still at 7:30PM on Mondays, but it’s now non day light saving time.

Just an FYI for folks in QLD, NT, and WA.

Looking forward to folks attending.

 

Appel Last Week Updated All the IOS’s

 

iOs 16.4, iPad OS 16.4, TV OS 16.4, Watch OS 9.4, and Mac Ventura OS 13.3.

iOS 16.4 Brings New Accessibility Feature for flashing or Strobing Lights

 

Of Course All the New Beta’s Are Out Now

 

iPhone 16.5, iPad Os 16.5, TV OS 16.5, Watch OS 99.5, and Mac OS 13.4.

 

Apple Also Released Apple Classical 

 

If you have an existing Apple subscription, you can enjoy classics to your heart content, otherwise, you’ll have to pay a subscription.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/03/27/apple-music-classical-waltzes-onto-iphone

 

More Updates from Apple

 

iOS 15.7.4, Mac OS Monterey 12.6.4, and Mac Big Sur 11.7.5 all get security updates.

 

It is important to always keep your device up to date as possible, namely for security fix’s.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/03/27/ios-1574-macos-monterey-1264-macos-big-sur-1175-all-get-security-updates?utm_medium=rss

 

What To Expect from WWDC 2023 June 5 to 9 2023

 

iOS/iPad OS 17, TV OS 17, Watch OS 10, and Mac OS 14.

Let us not forget the mythical? Apple Reality Headset.

 

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/03/29/what-to-expect-from-wwdc-2023-on-june-5-through-june-9?utm_medium=rss

 

Apple releases iTunes 12.12.8 for Windows

 

I always forget that iTuens is still about for Windows users, but this update allows more devices it appears to connect to iTuens.

 

Wikipedia Says it has Found the Sound of All Human Knowledge with New Audio Logo

 

Sounds odd, but think of the sounds that remind you of products: eg Windows starting up, Mac start up sound etc.

This sound sounds like a synthesiser, paper turning, and a keyboard being typed on.

 

https://www.engadget.com/wikipedia-says-it-has-found-the-sound-of-all-human-knowledge-with-new-audio-logo-181059089.html?src=rss

 

Vision Australia Makes Noise on EVs

 

Great to see this coming in to the public space, and hopefully social policy with EVs being mandated I hope to have audio tones at slow speed or when stopped.

 

https://www.visionaustralia.org/community/news/2023-03-28/vision-australia-makes-noise-evs

 

Demo of the AFL Audible Football

 

Pretty amazing how far away this ball can be heard.

 

https://s305.podbean.com/pb/95446fc7762dfe6f15de8fbc08eb3c14/6428ff6c/data1/fs54/339150/uploads/demo_of_the_AFL_Audio_Ballbjcqc.mp3?pbss=c7d55334-77c7-5732-99d4-408cb8c7e536

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Tech Monday Podcast from Last Week

 

An update from Scott E on his attendance at CSUN 2023.

 

https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/tech-monday-highlights-for-march-20-2023-scot-gives-a-run-down-of-a-few-products-from-csun/

 

The new Sherrin Audio AFL Football

 

Sounds like a Drone to Me, but AIA get the idea.

 

I remember I used to have an electronic soccer ball that beeped back in the mid 70’s, here is now the Sherrin Audible football with an electronic sound. This time a drone rather than high frequency beeps - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukm0Nteeyds

 

Speaking About Audible Balls, The Audible Tennis Ball Reminds me of a Rain Maker Toy

 

I will do a recording of the Audible Tennis ball soon just to have a sample.

 

BROK the InvestiGator Now Fully Playable For Blind Gamers on Nintendo

 

This is amazing news, In addition, this game is also playable on the PS5 and Xbox One.

 

https://www.gamespress.com/en-US/BROK-the-InvestiGator-Now-Fully-Playable-For-Blind-Gamers

 

Xbox Passport Podcast from Xbox Canada

 

All about Xbox Passport Gaming from an Accessibility point of view.

 

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-xbox-passport/id1674666655

 

Audible Brings Immersive Dolby Atmos to Its AudioBooks

 

Search for “dolby Atmos” within the Audible app.

This is absolutely beautiful, give tThe Little Mermaid a listen: story, music, and Song will lead you to a magical place: only sound. 

 

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/audible-dolby-atmos-spatial-audio-audiobooks/

 

It Isn’t Just You, Nest Hub and Nest Smart Speakers Have Gotten Louder Lately

 

Yep, your not imagining things.

 

https://9to5google.com/2023/03/22/google-nest-hub-speakers-volume/

 

Chat GPT Gets Eyes and Ears with Plug Ins that can Interface the AI with the Internet

 

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/03/chatgpt-gets-eyes-and-ears-with-plugins-that-can-interface-ai-with-the-world/

 

Gordon More, Intel Co-Founder and Crater oof Morse Law Has Passed On

 

AN FYI, In 1965 he said transistors will double every 10  years then later two years. No longer the case, but this held true for quite a long time.

 

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/24/23655844/gordon-moore-intel-co-founder-creator-moores-law-died 

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141

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