VIP by COOL BLIND TECH

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James discuss the top stories from assistive tech and give you some Cool Picks to think about.

News Flash:

Apple Support Now Has A Dedicated YouTube Channel!

Virgin Atlantic Launches In-Flight Entertainment For Blind Travelers

Top Stories

The New iPhone X Unboxing And First Impressions

Smart TV App Helps The Color Blind See Better

Developer Making The First Bitcoin Wallet For The Blind

Cool Picks

Talking Tuner for iOS

HotPaw Talking Tuner is a hands-off, sound-activated, talking musical instrument tuner. It talks to tell you if your instrument is in tune or not, so you don't even have to look at it or touch the display. Talking Tuner uses speech synthesis, and works with or without VoiceOver being enabled.

Essential PH-1, A Premium Phone Without The Premium Price

The Essential Phone’ has a stunning edge-to-edge Full Display and is a large-screen device that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Carlos Alvarez. They discuss the top stories from Cool Blind Tech and give you some Cool Picks to think about.

Top Stories

Airport Announces New Service For Blind and Low Vision Passengers

Reviewing the Windows 10 Fall Creators update, Microsofts revision to a vision: Part 1

Reviewing the Windows 10 Fall Creators update, Microsofts revision to a vision: Part 2

LG Electronics Releasing Voice-Command Washers to Visually Impaired This Year

Cool Picks

Google Home Mini

Mini is powered by the Google Assistant. So whenever you need help, it’s by your side. Get personalized help with your schedule, reminders, calls, news and more, whenever Google Home Mini recognizes your voice. Mini works with Chromecast, so you can stream shows, movies and music on your TV or speakers.

LastPass remembers all your passwords, so you don't have to.

Once you save a password in LastPass, you'll always have it when you need it; logging in is fast and easy.

WiFi Guard - Protect your network from intruders

Laggy Wi-Fi? Maybe your neighbor has hacked your password and quietly use it. With WiFi Guard app you will be able to prevent unauthorized access to your network. This application scans your Wi-Fi and detects all connected devices.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are back talking about the top stories from the world of assistive tech and give you their Cool Picks.

News Flash

Say Goodbye to Groove Music and Hello to Spotify

Be My Eyes is Now Available for Android

You Can Now Change Your Google Assistant in to a Male

Amazon Echo Can Now Call Canada, US and Mexico for Free

More Accessibility Features Come To Forza Motorsport 7

Pornhub Gives Blind and Visually Impaired Users More Accessibility

Top Stories

Google’s Pixel Event In 6 Minutes

Google announced the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL; a camera called Google Clips; Google Home Mini and Max; a Pixelbook and a new Google Daydream.

Sonos Smart Speaker Unveils with Multiple Personal Assistants and AirPlay 2 Support

The Sonos system has been accessible for blind and low vision users for the past few years and now they have unveiled a new ‘Sonos One’ smart speaker that is capable of supporting multiple voice services.

New Tactile Reading System Claims to be Easier to Learn Than Braille

According to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), just 1% of the blind population is born without sight; the vast majority of the estimated 10 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired lost their vision later in life. In 1987, Andrew Chepaitis’s grandmother became part of that statistic: She started to lose her vision due to macular degeneration. It was this experience that would lead Chepaitis, 13 years later, to found ELIA Life Technology, a company that wants to mass-produce an easy-to-learn tactile reading system based on the Roman alphabet.

Cool Picks

Introducing Google Pixel Buds

Google Pixel Buds are designed for high-quality audio and fit comfortably in your ear.

The all-new Pixel 2.

When you purchase a Pixel 2, you'll get a promo code for a Mini.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Jeff Thompson from Blind Abilities and Randy Rusnak from ACB Radio. They discuss the top stories from Apple’s Keynote Event and give you some Cool Picks and tips.

Top Stories

Accessibility Changes Coming On The iPhone X

The new iPhone X has an edge-to-edge screen and no Home Button, but will be using the Sleep/Wake button on the upper right hand side instead for functions such as the triple click feature for accessibility users and initiating Siri commands. Although we have yet to get our hands on the device to test accessibility features for VoiceOver users, Sighted users can wake the iPhone X by tapping on the screen. Users can then access the home screen by swiping up from the bottom of the phone. Switching between apps also requires swiping up from the bottom of the displays. Additionally, users can switch between apps by swiping from the bottom left of the phone.

Unlocking the phone is done with the company new Face ID technology. The phone will remain locked until the iPhone X is able to see the user and positively identify their face using the phone’s TrueDepth camera system. We reached out to Apple on how VoiceOver users will be accommodated on the iPhone x and this is what they told us: "The iPhone X has been designed with a number of accessibility features to support its use.

An Overview Of the Apple Event

Apple announced this fall’s additions to their hardware lineup. They unveiled the Series 3 Apple Watch, a 4K version of the Apple TV, the iPhone 8 and 8+, along with a special iPhone X addition.

Cool Picks

All-New Element 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Fire TV Edition

LG HBS-910 Tone Infinim Bluetooth Stereo Headset - Black

Bank of America Mobile Banking

Monster Blaster Boombox Wireless Speaker

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Rob Minault from the AT Banter podcast. They discuss the top stories from Cool Blind Tech and give you some Cool Picks to think about.

News Flash

Google launches disability answer desk.

Apple and Microsoft already have dedicated staff who are made available to help customers with accessibility related questions. Now Google will do the same in a limited capacity.

The disability support team is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 5:00PM PST by email only. The team will respond to your questions within 72 hours.

Top Stories

68 Top Scoring Companies That Are The Best PLACES to Work for Disability Inclusion

US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) have released the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI) the third year measured by the Index. 110 companies participated in the 2017 DEI, with results indicating where companies are excelling in their commitment to inclusive environmental, social, and governance policies.

Bionic Lens Improves Eyesight Beyond Normal Vision

Ocumetics Technology Corporation is developing a replacement for the lens found in the human eye. Called the Bionic Lens, it could radically improve eyesight, prevent cataracts, and provide new ways to see the world.

LG’s Robot Lawn Mower Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

At the IFA consumer electronics trade show, LG showed off a robot lawn mower that they first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year. The robot can be controlled with your voice via the Amazon Alexa or Google voice assistant. You need to setup a perimeter wire around your lawn, so that the mower will know where to stop mowing. But after that, everything is easy. The mower also comes equipped with GPS, so if it is stolen, you will be able to track it down.

Cool Picks

YouTube Kids by Google, Inc.

Nelson has a great recommendation for parents who want their kids to have a safe place to play on the internet.

TuneIn Premium

For just $9.99 per month, James has found more audio-books, podcasts, news broadcasts, and sporting events than he could ever listen to.

Marty's Blindfold Games

Rob is blown away by the number of audio-games a blind person can play on the iPhone.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James bring you the top stories from Cool Blind Tech along with some really Cool Picks.

Top Stories

MoviePass Subscribers Can See Unlimited Movies for $9.95 per Month

In a move that has angered many movie theatres, MoviePass has offered its customers a Netflix like subscription service to see unlimited movies in theatres for only $9.95 per month. AMC in particular has express that they will attempt to block this program, but there isn’t a lot that they can do, sense MoviePass purchases the tickets at full price from the theatres.

Cortana and Alexa Join Forces in the Battle of the Voice Assistants

In a stunning move, Microsoft and Amazon announced that Cortana and Alexa will now be able to work with one another. By the end of the year, you will be able to have Cortana open Alexa on your computer or mobile device, and you will be able to have Alexa open Cortana on your Alexa enabled device.

‘Bionic Eye’ Allows Mother to See Her Youngest Child for First Time

A Quebec mother of four can partially see again thanks to a “bionic eye” that was implanted in March in the first such operation of its kind in the province.

Sandra Cassell was diagnosed in 2001 with retinitis pigmentosa, a form of retinal dystrophy that affects around 3,000 Quebecers.

Cool Picks

Instacart

James has decided that having his groceries delivered with the help of the Instacart app is easier than dealing with the crowds at the store.

Ring Chime Pro, Indoor Chime and Wi-Fi Extender ONLY for Ring Network Devices

Nelson is extending the range of his Ring devices. Now he will never miss any of his many visitors.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James bring you the top stories from Cool Blind Tech. And of course, it wouldn’t be a VIP without their Cool Picks.

Top Stories

APH and HumanWare team up to create a new intelligent magnifier

HumanWare has announced a partnership with The American Printing House to provide a new powerful tool for visually impaired students combining a high-performance digital magnifier with the versatility of an Android tablet, the MATT Connect.

This Fashionable Tech Helps Blind and Low-Vision People Navigate

UK-based designer Emilios Farrington-Arnas has created a wearable for the blind and low-vision with the emphasis on merging fashion with technology.

Maptic uses small feedback units, which can be clipped onto clothing or worn around the wrist, and a visual sensor that can be worn as a necklace.

Handsfree Calling Comes to Google Home

If you have a Google Home voice activated speaker, you can now make calls in the U.S. and Canada to anyone in your contacts list and local businesses. Just say things like:

• Ok Google, call John Smith

Cool Picks

Dropbox Plus

Now that he has Dropbox Plus, James has more cloud storage than he knows what to do with.

Ring Video Doorbell Pro (Wiring Required), Works with Amazon Alexa

With the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Nelson always knows when his deliveries have arrived.

Join the CBT Team as they enter into the exciting world of Braille technology. Both mainstream and assistive technologies have experienced revolutionary developments over the last year, and it's no surprise that Braille displays and note takers have also experienced these changes.

* Luxury Braille Displays, will they make it? Our team compare the VarioUltra by Baum, The Elbraille by Vision Freedom Optelec, and the Braille Sense Polaris by Hims.

* How about for those who don't want to break the bank? Our team discuss the lower cost Orbit Reader, and the future of the Orbit Graphiti.

* A special segment for those who are deaf blind and use an Amazon Fire; how they can enjoy Closed Captioned programming on Hulu

Cool Picks:

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In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Christopher McMillan. Listen in as they discuss the top stories on Cool Blind Tech, and as always, they will bring you some great Cool Picks.

Top Stories

ACB Radio Offers a Live Audio-Described Broadcast of the Upcoming Solar Eclipse

On August 21, much of the United States will experience total darkness in the middle of the day as a full Solar eclipse of the Sun sweeps across the country.

A Solar eclipse is always an exciting event, and people who are blind want to be able to experience it as well.

Just released! BlindSight, a Free Android App That Implements Advanced AI Features

Neuro X Labs have just released BlindSight, a free Android app that implements advanced AI features, narrating the scenes fed to it by the phone camera. It requires no internet connection, collects no user data and the app is only 50MB. The app is in its early stages but Neuro X Labs are looking for feedback.

The American Foundation for the Blind’s CareerConnect Program Helps Job Seekers Who are Blind

One of the biggest and most important obstacles that blind people face is meaningful employment. The American Foundation for the Blind recognizes this problem, and has established a CareerConnect page on their website that helps blind people overcome some of the difficulties that they encounter when seeking employment.

Cool Picks

Ring Floodlight Camera Motion-Activated HD Security Cam Two-Way Talk and Siren Alarm

Watch your step! Nelson is keeping an eye on you with this incredible home security camera system.

AudioShare - audio document manager

James is having a blast recording everything on his iPhone with AudioShare for iOS.

Unboxing and Setting up the Aira Glasses for the Visually Impaired

Christopher has his eyes on these glasses from Aira after listening to an unboxing podcast from Cool Blind Tech.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James discuss the top stories on Cool Blind Tech, and as always, they announce their Cool Picks for the week.

Top Stories

Amazon’s Alexa May Be Your Next Teacher

On July 27, Canvas by Instructure announced that its teaming up with Amazon Alexa to help students, teachers, advisors, and parents ask questions, carry out quick tasks, and get information from Canvas on Alexa-enabled devices. The new feature was announced by InstructureCon and marks an ongoing effort scale up Canvas’s voice-activated applications.

A Device to Test Infants’ Vision is Now Possible

An advanced device to measure the field of vision of infants has been developed by scientists at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. The device, named paediatric perimeter, can be used to test the eyesight of infants between two and 12 months.

GlovEye Brings Braille to Your Finger Tip

At this year’s Microsoft Imagine Cup, a team from Hungary developed a glove that has a refreshable braille cell built into the index finger of the glove. The GlovEye works with an app on your smart phone. Just point the phone’s camera at some text, and braille will appear on the glove.

Cool Picks

The Home Depot for iOS

With the help of the Home Depot app on iOS, Nelson will hammer in the morning and Hammer in the evening.

Ambutech Canes

With his new cane from Ambutech, James can get around a lot more quickly, and that is extremely important when Nelson is swinging his hammer.