Various cOVID-19 Tech info and resources

 

Apple Closes All of It’s Apple Retail Stores Outside of China Until the 27th of March

 

Whilst the Apple retail stores will be closed, you can still access Apple online for shopping, and of course the Apple Helpdesk.

 

Apple’s Australian main Webpage:

 

https://www.apple.com/au/

 

Apple Store for iOS:

 

Best way to shop for Apple Products.

 

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/apple-store/id375380948

 

Some Movements with Upcoming Tech Conferences

 

Apple WWDC 2020 to be a Virtual Conference

 

A great decision by Apple to move the WWDC 2020 conference to a virtual one.

 

https://www.imore.com/apple-announces-wwdc-2020-and-its-all-going-be-online

 

The Microsoft Build conference will also be going virtual, but it appears as if the Google Io Conference is being cancelled.

 

Online Tools to Keep in Mind for Keeping in Touch

 

Zoom seems to be the most popular online conference system at the moment, and is fully accessible.

 

https://zoom.us

 

Of course, our good old friend Skype.

 

https://www.skype.com/en/

 

From Microsoft as well, we have Microsoft Teams which is also accessible.

 

https://products.office.com/en-au/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

 

From Apple, we have FaceTime which can also be used for FaceTime Group calls.

FaceTime is pre-installed on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

 

https://www.imore.com/facetime

 

Two Very Helpful Video Assistance Services That Use Your Smart Phone Camera

 

Be My Eyes Free), and Aira (up to 5 mins for free).  Both run on either iOS or Android.

 

Be My Eyes Android app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bemyeyes.bemyeyes&hl=en_AU

Be My Eyes iOS app:

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/be-my-eyes/id905177575

 

Aira Android app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aira.smart&hl=en_AU

Aira iOS app:

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/aira/id1071584352

 

Help desks from Apple, Microsoft, and Google (plus Vision Australia AT Help Desk)

 

Apple - 1300 365 083.

 

Microsoft - 1800 280 300.

 

Google - via the Specialist section within the Be My Eyes app.

 

Vision Australia  Assistive Technology Help Desk - 1300 847 466.

 

Also, lets not Forget Online Shopping

 

Both Coles Online and Woolworths online are excellent.

 

Coles Android App:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coles.android.shopmate&hl=en_AU

Woolworths Android app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.woolworths&hl=en_AU

 

Coles online iOS app:

 https://apps.apple.com/au/app/coles/id529118855

Woolworths online iOS app:

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/woolworths/id975089690

 

Speaking of Online Stores - The Vision Store

 

If your worried about being out and about and you still want to get stuff from Vision Store, remember our shop at:

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org

Accessible Power Bank from the AT Guys

 

This power bank both uses audio tones and vibrations to let you know about the charging state of the power bank, and if devices plugged in are actually charging.

 

Https://www.atguys.com

 

Podcast of the Accessibl...

Accessible Power Bank from the AT Guys

 

This power bank both uses audio tones and vibrations to let you know about the charging state of the power bank, and if devices plugged in are actually charging.

 

Https://www.atguys.com

 

Podcast of the Accessible Power bank

 

https://s161.podbean.com/pb/d454fa9d0f579d05ae49eb9dd4708ba8/5e572937/data4/fs54/339150/uploads/demo_of_the_Enegrid_Accessible_portable_Power_Bank.mp3?pbss=45f36e58-5512-5b88-9958-4749cc00e47b

 

Be My eyes Announces Funding to Carry on Their Work

 

https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/be-my-eyes-announces-funding-to-grow-community-and-expand-specialized-help-service

 

Aira Tech Corporation Acquired by Southern California Investment Group

 

https://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=21565

 

Cash Reader Main Way to Read Aussie bank notes

 

This seems to be the only iOS or Android app to read current bank notes, particularly on iOS.

 

https://cashreader.app/en/

 

 NvDA 2019.3 Released

 

https://www.nvaccess.org/files/nvda/releases/2019.3.1/nvda_2019.3.1_changes.html

 

13 Letters Podcast By Be My Eyes

 

This episode and the following episode on Mike Shebanek and his work at Apple including bringing Voiceover on the Mac in to reality.

 

https://www.bemyeyes.com/podcasts/who-invented-voiceover

Code Jumper Now Launched in Australia

 

In this weeks Talking Tech, Stephen caught up with Anne Durham from the American Pritning House for the Blind (APH) at the Launch of Code Jumper at the VA Kooyong office 27 Feb, and spoke to her about APH itself an...

Code Jumper Now Launched in Australia

 

In this weeks Talking Tech, Stephen caught up with Anne Durham from the American Pritning House for the Blind (APH) at the Launch of Code Jumper at the VA Kooyong office 27 Feb, and spoke to her about APH itself and what Code Jumper offers to the educational market in teaching blind or low vision students coding.

 

The evening before, APH along with Humanware and Vision Australia, also did a webinar on Code Jumper in Australia. 

 

https://vacast.podbean.com/e/audio-recording-of-the-code-jumper-launch-webinar-in-australia-feb-26-2020-presented-by-va-aph-and-humanware/

 

Code Jumper on the Vision Australia Online Shop

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/shop/product/microsoft-code-jumper

 

Website for Code Jumper - documentation, and curriculum:

 

Https://www.codejumper.com

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A chat About the Canute from a User Perspective

 

We have Eden Kizer on the show to give us her experiences  of using the Canute.

Quantum RLV will be bringing the Canute in to Australia, and should be available in March.

 

http://www.bristolbraille.co.uk...

A chat About the Canute from a User Perspective

 

We have Eden Kizer on the show to give us her experiences  of using the Canute.

Quantum RLV will be bringing the Canute in to Australia, and should be available in March.

 

http://www.bristolbraille.co.uk

 

Samsung Announced Last Week There New Samsung Phone Series

 

The Samsung S20, S20+, and the S20 Ultra.

As always, more camera power, better screen, and larger battery.

 

https://www.idownloadblog.com/2020/02/11/samsung-galaxy-s20-series-official/

 

A reminder of the Vision Store and the AT Help Desk Operating Hours

 

Both the Vision Store and AT Help Desk are available up to 7PM EDST Monday to Friday on 1300 847 466.

 

My Thoughts on the Belkin Portable Tablet Stand

 

Recently purchased this stand, in some ways I like it, and in others I don’t.

With the ScanJig as I learned not being available any more rather than the stock from Amazon, thought I’d better do a demo on the Belkin Portable stand.

 

https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/demo-of-another-document-stand-for-ocr-video-conferencing-video-magnification-apps-etc/

 

 

A Point About Power Banks and MacBooks in Particular

 

I just purchased a power bank which besides being able to charge my iPhone and iPad, also can charge my MacBook Pro UsB C MacBooks.

 

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0763H3GMV/ref=pe_2361882_282382012_TE_item

 

Speaking of Power Banks, Purchased a Petrol Generator

 

Never thought I’d own a petrol generator, but the hassle with the recent black outs on the Central Coast of NSW, I now have an easy to use and fairly cheap Petrol generator.

2 power points, 12v connection, 10AMPS, will charge phones, tablets and Macbooks, will also run fridge etc.

Got this from Bunnings Warehouse, Ozito Inverter 2500W Generator $499.

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