On this episode of Talking Technology, we explore accessibility issues from the recent presidential election in Ireland and discuss updates for the BlindShell smartphone.

With Ireland recently electing a new president, we share views of those using the ballot paper template. Is voting in Ireland truly accessible?

BlindShell finally supports the Meta glasses, but is the phone living up to its claims of being a smartphone?

We have updates from Vispero and Amazon in tech news, and is the monarch the best invention of 2025?

All that and more in this episode of Talking Technology.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 

0:00 Intro  

4:08 Your Voice Notes  

9:04 The Presidential Election  

27:05 Blindshell Updates and Meta Glasses Support  

47:28 Talking Technology News  

1:00:42 Outro

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On this episode of Talking Technology, it’s all about Braille.

We explore the new Braille access feature included with iOS 26, and we get a demo of its capabilities from our very own Mairead O'Mahony.

Brian discusses how Meta glasses can be used with Braille displays and explains why this is so important.

We discuss architecture in this week’s tech news and tell you about some exclusive content over on our YouTube channel. 

Links of note:

accessible voting information from the electoral commission:  https://www.electoralcommission.ie/accessible-voting/

Audio for users of ballot paper templates:  https://www.presidentialelection.ie/general-information/

0:00 Intro  

3:18 Voice Notes  

15:51 Brian Discusses Braille on the Meta Glasses  

24:06 New iOS 26 Braille Access Features  

54:34 Talking Technology News  

1:08:36 Outro

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On this episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with David Nason from Sky to learn about lots of exciting new accessibility improvements across their Sky TV products.

With audio description for on-demand content and major improvements to the voice guidance screen reader, there’s a lot to discuss.

Back in episode 90 of Talking Technology, we explored the accessibility updates for RTÉ Player. In this episode, we meet the team that made those updates happen.

Peter McCabe and Gillian Bowes from RTE join us to tell us about how the accessibility overhaul of RTÉ Player came about, and what’s next for the accessibility of their new audio product launching in 2026.

 We have new Amazon Echo products in Tech News, and Joe might need a new trampoline.

All that and more on this episode of Talking Technology with V I Labs. 

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011

0:00 Intro  

2:13 Your voice notes, and Joe might need a new trampoline  

15:52 Accessibility updates at Sky with David Nason  

36:21 Peter and Gillian from RTÉ talk about RTÉ Player accessibility  

54:48 Talking Technology News  

1:06:23 Outro

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On this episode of Talking Technology, we have news on the latest updates to Meta glasses. With improvements to both the hardware and software, Meta are continuing to up their game. 

We have questions on video doorbells and accessible gaming, and a discussion on the latest iOS 26 update. 

Daniel explains mesh Wi-Fi systems, and what’s going on at AIB?

All that and more on this episode of Talking Technology.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 

0:00 – Intro

2:42 – Your WhatsApp voice notes

15:10 – New Apple devices and a new watch for David

25:03 – The future of Meta glasses

42:54 – Talking Technology News

1:00:08 – Outro

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Apple has announced lots of new products. In this episode of Talking Technology, we recap their iPhone 17 event, exploring what’s new. 

Mairead, Joe and David share their thoughts on the new AirPods, Apple Watches and iPhones, and decide if they will be purchasing any new toys following the event.

Let us know your thoughts with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011

0:00 Intro  

3:23 General event reactions from Joe and Mairead  

4:26 All about the AirPods Pro 3  

10:24 Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3  

20:50 New iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and the very thin iPhone Air  

36:46 Outro  

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For someone who is blind or visually impaired, how do you get the result of a pregnancy test? Often, a blind or visually impaired person isn’t the first to know about their own test result. This is because traditionally, pregnancy tests, as well as many other health-related checks, have been inaccessible. 

On this episode, we speak with Leah Shanahan about AMY, a pregnancy test that she has designed for those who are blind or visually impaired. We also catch up with Adela Buliman from Vially on the topic.

We have voice notes on Glide as well as a unique use case for meta glasses, and in tech news, we’ve got info on Zippay, gaming, and this evening’s Apple event.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 00 11. 

0:00 – Intro

3:03 – Responding to your WhatsApp voice notes

24:55 – Adela discusses accessible pregnancy tests

41:19 – Leah tells us about the accessible test she designed

52:39 – Talking Technology news

1:07:00 – Outro

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On this extra episode of Talking Technology, we only have one topic on the agenda. 

Glidance, makers of the new glide mobility aid, have announced that the product won’t be coming to Europe at launch, and all European customers are being refunded.

We speak to CEO Amos Miller to ask why they made the decision they did, what this means for the future of glide, and how it will impact those who purchase glide legitimately in the launch countries of the US, UK, and Canada.

We also catch up with Kevin Kelly, Vision Ireland’s head of policies, partnerships, and external affairs, to get his reaction to the news. He tells us how he feels personally and how Vision Ireland is responding.

Have you got thoughts to share? Send us a voice note to join the conversation now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011. 

0:00 Intro  

2:59 The all important contact details  

3:55 David and Joe’s initial reaction to the news on Glide  

7:35 Glidance CEO Amos Miller tells us what’s going on and why  

43:51 Kevin Kelly discusses Vision Ireland’s response  

55:09 Outro  

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In this episode of Talking Technology, we explore some of the upcoming courses available from Vision Ireland.

We catch up with Dominique and Des to hear their perspective on courses, as well as hearing from Dereck about what we can expect in the future.

We receive a much-anticipated update on Raheem‘s smart washing machine drama, discuss the benefits of meta glasses in a Jacuzzi, as well as learning about a brand-new product from the team at Hable.

With Glide announcing that they won’t be shipping to Europe for the foreseeable future, we share a teaser ahead of our interview with Amos Miller later this week, and we give you a heads up on a talkback issue impacting Revolut users on Android.

Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011

0:00 Intro  

4:07 Voice Notes on washing machine, glasses, and Jacuzzi  

30:19 Dominique & Des on VI Labs courses  

37:56 Dereck on upcoming courses  

52:51 Talking Technology News  

1:09:39 Outro  

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Assistive technology company Envision has announced new Ally Solos glasses in a bid to compete with Meta. The new glasses are initially priced at €399, and contain many of the features we’ve come to expect from smart glasses, such as the ability to read documents, describe surroundings, and listen to audio through the glasses connected to your phone.  

In this extra podcast, David and Joe discuss the new glasses and catch up with Envision CTO Karthik Kannan to learn all about the new product.

Join the conversation with a voice note now. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011

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Meta Glasses have been a major topic of conversation for blind people for a few months at this point, but unfortunately, those in Ireland were left out.

Things are finally starting to change, however, so in this podcast we try out the Meta Glasses without a VPN in sight. Are wearables the next step forward for those who are blind or visually impaired?

As well as our in-depth look at Meta Glasses, we also explore other topics including AI in Uber Eats, hotel accessibility updates in Westmeath, and a smart washing machine that doesn’t want to be smart.

We have voice notes, rumours of an extra Talking Technology episode coming soon, and we exclusively announce details of a nationwide V I Labs event taking place in September.

Want to join the conversation? Send us a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is +353861990011

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