In this weeks show, some of the topics that Stephen and David discuss include:

Ideas For Tech Fridays for 2019

As more and more VA offices are doing tech type workshops, asking folks what type of “tech stuff” you would like covered in such workshops?

Please email me at:

[email protected]

Envoy Connect Download Software Now Available

Via the Help Page on I-Access

http://ia.va.org.au

you can now download the software for the Envoy Connect low cost but powerful daisy player.

Besides being available from the VA Library - the Envoy Connect can also be purchased from the VA Retail Store for $75 Australian

Aira Training Audio Tutorials

Audio tutorials on Aira (remote sighted support through your smart phone) is now available from Aira’s website.

https://aira.io/training

Amazon Echo Reading Audible Books Up To 1.5 Times Reading Speed Now Available

Great news for Echo users, when you listen to Audible books, you can speed up the rate of the voice twice to 1.5 times normal speed or slow it down to 75% of normal speed.

Just say:

Read Faster, Read Slower, Read at Normal Speed.

AccessWorld for Jan 2019

Celebrating Braille Month - Braille Blaster, Kindle fire Tablet supporting Braille, Dot Watch, and the Bradley Timepiece.

http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pubnew.asp?DocID=aw2001toc

A Well Done To ABC Radio

Just a congratulation shout out for the ABC for broadcasting on ABC Extra and associated stations the audio description for the Sydney Harbour fire works on New Years Eve.

Speaking of Audio Description - Just Listened to Venum with Owen My Son

Just think it is great that new movies coming out more and more are audio described.

Woolworths App Check Out Now Functional Again

With a release in the first days of the new year, the Woolworths app Check Out function is now accessible again for VoiceOver users.

My Windows 10 Narrator Series Podcasts Underway

At the start of Jan 2019, I have started a series of podcasts on show casing what the Windows 10 Narrator screen reader can do.  To see a list of the podcasts so far, go to my hosting website:

http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com

Speaking of Podcasts, Here is one on Tooth Fairy

A great Mac app for putting Bluetooth devices on the Mac menu bar (in VoiceOver terms the Extras Menu).

https://s111.podbean.com/pb/f78ca28264938aff092e781f3e956a13/5c3ab7fe/data1/fs54/339150/uploads/Demo_of_Tooth_Fairy_adding_BT_icons_to_the_extra_menu_o_the_mac.mp3?pbss=d276a7cc-732e-56f1-98ff-7e24e6193161

And one More - How I Use Home, News and Voice Memos not eh Mac

https://s146.podbean.com/pb/c97df6ff1ba2d6e566eadb0f441eb315/5c3ab7fd/data3/fs54/339150/uploads/Mac_default_app_demos_for_Home_News_and_Voice_Memos.mp3?pbss=d33c0d18-ce4e-509e-abd3-fc9d895b41c6

Where Would the New Year be for 2019 Without a Game Suggestion

Have a play of the free Great Toy Robbery from L-Works, a great game to play on both Mac and Windows.

https://www.l-works.net/tgtr.php

My Thoughts on the RIVO Keyboard

D

As I have been using this keyboard of the Christmas/new year period, thought I would just share some thoughts about it.

*Has its own Mic/speaker plus the keyboard, so can do phone calls, access Siri, dictate, and navigate iOs.

*Can give me access up to 6 devices.

*Can plug a pair of 3.5mm head phones in to the RIVO.

http://rivo.me/en/order

Power Bank Battery Chargers

Over the break I purchased another 3 of these (20000mah) for the Rest of the Family

Was thinking, it is always good to have on of these around, and if you use the Seeing AI app on the iPhone for example, you can read the display on some of these power banks which tells you how much charge they have left.

WiFi Hard Drives

Another purchase for  the new year, a WiFi hard drive that we can put all our music, audio books etc on to separate from iTunes and access them from our iOS devices as well.

Coverage from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) From Digital Trends

Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa getting smarter, self driving wheelchair, self driving cars, health devices.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/ces-2019/

Another source from ZDNet as well

https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-of-ces-2019-cool-tech-you-can-buy-this-year/

In this weeks show, Stephen and David continue the conversation from last weeks show with part 2 of looking back at the tech topics and devices that were covered by TT in 2018.

elBraille new version with Focus 40 refreshable Braille display.

Focus 5th generation refreshable Braille display released with scratch pad functionality.

Freedom Scientific announces 2019 versions of JAWS, Zoomtext, and Fusion.

HomePod smart speaker from Apple.

InsideOne Windows 10 Braille Tablet (reviewed)

iOS 12.

iPhone X style VoiceOver gestures come to the iPad with iOS 12 with latest models losing Home button, 3.5mm head phone jack, and lightning port).

iPhone X S, R,  and Max now with dual SIMM support (as end of November 2018 not supported by careers in Australia).

iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 released.

Apple Pencil 2nd gen for new iPad Pros released.

Iris Vision wearable virtual video magnification.

Live Listen with AirPods to allow iPhone to be used as remote listening device back to AirPods.

Mac air 13 update released.

Mac mini update released.

Mac OS Mojave (new apps ported over from iOS News, Home, and Voice mMemo in particular).

Mini Vision (Smart Vision) feature phone.

Mercury video magnifier based on Surface Pro tablet.

Orbit Reader 20 refreshable Braille display.

Orcam II wearable device gets an update and amongst other features supports Bluetooth head phones.

QBraille XL refreshable Braille display with Windows modifier keys.

Quantum RLV is purchased by Vision Australia.

Samsung S9 users still enjoying a Haptic Home button.

Siri ShortCuts comes to iOS 12.

Sunu Band O&M device now available in Australia.

Sound Scape iOS GPS app from Microsoft.

Skype 8 caused concerns for assistive tech users.

Talking Induction Hob

Tap With Us Wearable Keyboard

Tech Hub at Vision Australia Parramatta/Kooyong and Tech Fridays in Parramatta.

Vision Australia Retail store signs Partnership with The Good Guys.

Vision Australia AT Helpdesk gets 3 new Helpdesk staff.

Victor Trek now available in Australia.

Windows 10 October 2018 (Narrator).

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.

A Look Back on 2018 and Some of the Tech That Impacted Our/My lives and most of which we covered on Talking Tech

Apple Watch S4 40mm and 44mm released.

Apple TV 4k released.

Amazon Finally in Australia.

Amazon Blueprints comes to Australia.

Amazon Prime Video comes to Australia.

Amazon Echo calling Via Skype.

Amazon Alexa can be accessed via Cortana on Windows 10.

Amazon Echo Followup feature comes to Australia.

Amazon Echo Dot update released.

Amazon Echo Show update released.

Amazon Paper White released with Bluetooth support for VoiceView.

Aira remote assistance via sighted agent either via smart phone camera or glasses comes 

to Australia.

Apple Watch S4 with fall detection.

Brilliant 14 refreshable Braille display arrives in Australia.

BrailleSense Polaris Braille note taker replacing the BrailleSense  U2.

Buzz Clip O&M device now available in Australia.

Envoy Connect available through Vision Australia Library and shop in 2019

Feer (Running Blind) - Endless runner game.

FlickType pattern recognition keyboard is back for iPhone or Apple Watch.

Google Releases the Google Home Hub (with screen), disappointing screen reader support.

Google Releases Google Max in to Australia.

Google Play Books now having Audio Books.

elBraille new version with Focus 40 refreshable Braille display.

Focus 5th generation refreshable Braille display released with scratch pad functionality.

Freedom Scientific announces 2019 versions of JAWS, Zoomtext, and Fusion.

HomePod smart speaker from Apple.

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

Apple - 1300 365 083.

Microsoft - 1800 280 300.

Vision australia and the AT Help Desk back in business as of Jan 7 2019.

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.