VIP by COOL BLIND TECH

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James discuss the top stories on Cool Blind Tech. They also delve into the subject of housekeeping.

Top Stories

Talking Laundry Module Makes GE Washers and Dryers Accessible for the Blind.

The Talking Laundry Module is a box that plugs into existing and many new General Electric washers and dryers. The device mounts on the side of the washer or dryer by way of magnets that are on the back of the box. One module can work with both the washer and dryer.

The Sunu Band Helps the Blind Navigate with Sonar and Haptic Feedback.

The Sunu band is a smart watch that is specifically designed to help the blind navigate around people and objects. It sends out ultrasonic waves up to 13FT away, and then provides haptic feedback to make blind people aware of objects and people. The range and feedback are fully customizable by way of an app.

Apple’s HomePod Comes with VoiceOver.

A recent firmware update to Apple’s HomePod shows that accessibility support has been added to the operating system, and that includes VoiceOver. The device is voice activated, but it does have a touch surface that allows the user to long press Siri and adjust the volume. With VoiceOver included, this touch surface will be accessible to the visually impaired.

Cool Picks

Shout Color Catchers

James wants to keep your whites whiter and your colors brighter with this handy laundry product.

Pocket Juice 2-in-1 Portable Charger 12,000 mAh Charges Phones and Tablets

Nelson is on the juice, and he thinks everyone should get this portable charger.

CBT has gathered everyone from the past and present that was responsible for reaching this incredible milestone.

This show is a thank you to all of our supporters who have been there with us these past four years. So from all of us here at CBT to all of you where ever you may be thank you for helping us reach 1 million downloads!

This week Joel, Leo and special guest host from the AT Banter podcast Ryan Fleury get together to discuss the latest happenings in the world of accessible tech. Make sure to check out their site and download this week's VIP for all the fun CBT Banter.

Articles This week Include the Following:

Artificial Intelligence And Text Recognition Unite In Microsoft’s Latest IPhone App, For Free

Everyone is talking about the new app from Microsoft called Seeing AI. Is it a revolutionary game changer for the blind or is it just a toy app? Find out what the guys have to say about the latest accessible app from Microsoft.

Hands Free Typing: Dictate Speech Recognition For Microsoft Office

Virtual assistants have come a long way in helping both the blind and sighted community with being able to do many tasks without the use of their hands. It seems that Microsoft may be starting a new trend on the PC with their latest Dictation add-on. Listen in to see if Leo, Ryan or Joel are going to start dictating all their emails and documents from now on.

U.S. To Fund Advanced Brain-Computer Interfaces

This week may seem like we're talking about a new plot for the latest spy-fiction best seller. However, there's no fiction in what a branch of the department of defense is looking to do with your brain. Tune in to see who's first on the show to get wired up with a neural-interface.

Fan Feedback:

We love it here at Cool Blind Tech when our listeners send us email. This week, CBT responds to questions about the accessible virtual DJ software. The company is called Algoriddim and the software is called DJay Pro for the Mac. Although the software works with several DJ consoles, the one that we recommend is the Pioneer DDJ SB2 which can be bought on Amazon or various musical instrument retail stores. Check out the podcast for more details on this incredible software.

Update:

During the show we mention that the Windows 10 version of DJay was in beta. It is no longer in beta and can be purchased through the Windows app store or downloaded from algoriddim as a demo. Stay tune to hear about first impressions for the windows version of this app.

Cool Picks this Week Include:

Old Time Radio Player

Ryan tells us about an app he uses on his Android device to listen to some great radio dramas from the golden years of radio.

Seeing AI for iOS

This app is definitely going to be a Cool Pick for many over the next few weeks. However, Leo chose it first and so he gets to talk about it as his pick of the week.

M-Audio Keystation 49 II

This week Joel is joined by Leo and Nelson to discuss the latest happenings in Accessible Tech. The Cool Blind Tech team has some great fun discussing the news and how to keep cool in this summer heat. Make sure to download this latest episode or press play to listen along!

Support Actiview!

Discussed in this week's show is a great app for iOS that has the potential to change how the blind enjoy the movie-going experience. You can find out more by reading this article or download the app to show your support.

Topics This Week Include the Following:

The Haptic Wave Is Helping Blind Audio Engineers ‘Feel’ Sound Waves

Haptic feedback is all the rage right now in many fields. But, can it help the blind tackle a sound wave problem in the field of audio engineering? Listen in to see what the team thinks about this new prototype.

Summer Academy Enhancing Independence For Blind And Low-Vision Students

Summer may be a time for many to enjoy the beach, travel to new places or simply relax at the movies. But, for many young adults it's a time to acquire new skills and prepare for the future! Find out how as the team wishes they had these opportunities.

Blind Programmer Develops Life-changing Software

Think you can change how the blind use the internet with your coding skills? The team admires one such person who did and debate the pros and cons of companies being responsible for accessibility.

Cool Picks This Week Include:

Alexa can notify you when your Amazon packages are out for delivery

Leo is hoping to use his Amazon Echo to inform him of the purchases he plans to make on Prime Day. This new skill will make a sound notification and will respond when you ask "Alexa, what did I miss?"

JBL Charge 3

Nelson tells us about the latest acquisition to his audio equipment collection. All three team members give it there seal of approval for sound and features.

Windows 10 Creators Edition

Joel tries out an old sound card on Windows 10 and is surprised to see that windows recognized it and set it up with no problems. The team encourages everyone to upgrade to the latest version of windows and provides some great reasons on why you should.

In this informative VIP, James, Jessica, and Nelson bring us some of the top stories from the CBT website. They also give us their Cool Picks for the week, and answer some fan feedback.

Top Stories

Portable Speaker is the First Speaker That Turns Your iPhone Into a Conference System

Rayz Rally is a pocket-sized speaker, together with the Rayz App it makes calling easier & clearer anytime, anywhere.

The clarity of a conference system, in a palm sized portable speaker that’s powered by your iPhone or computer. Plug it in and it works. One smart button handles everything you need. It’s that simple. The only portable speaker on the market that offers conference call quality sound.

New VR Headset to Help Visually Impaired See

With a swipe of your finger this new technology, called Iris Vision, uses Samsung VR headset combined with software uploaded to a Samsung Galaxy phone.

People with low vision are able to get up close and personal to the world around them.

Users see a bubble appear that they can make bigger or smaller. Then within the bubble, a person can zoom in or zoom back out.

The image looks like a giant wide screen TV right in front of the eyes, so it works for so many people with different eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetes related eye diseases.

Complete list of Braille Commands for iOS 11: and How to Customize Them.

If you have a braille display with a Perkins style keyboard, you can control your iOS device by entering certain key combinations. I will include a list of these braille keyboard commands. While some of them will work with iOS 10 as well, iOS 11 will allow you to assign keyboard commands where none currently exist, and also change existing keyboard commands.

How To Find Which Apps Are Not Compatible On IPhone And IPad In IOS 11

The CBT team have told you about some of the exciting new features coming to your iPhone or iPad in iOS 11, but there’s one “feature” that many users are going to be upset about: Some of your apps, possibly including apps you use every day, will stop working.

What does this mean for you? It could mean nothing. You may not use any apps that are still 32-bit, meaning the developers have updated their apps to 64-bit, which is Apple’s newest specs. If you’re concerned that an app you love or use often may be affected and you want to make sure you know what you’re getting into before downloading iOS 11, you can check if the apps on your phone are 32-bit.

Cool Picks

MXL 770 Condenser Microphone

As a veteran podcaster, Nelson has always sounded great on the air. Just ask him. He will tell you it is true. But even he can’t believe how good he sounds with this new microphone.

Alexa Dungeon Adventure Skill

Jessica goes old-school gaming with the latest tech. Listen as she demos a Dungeon and Dragons style game on an Amazon Echo device.

Hulu

It doesn’t have audio-description yet, but James just can’t stop binge watching all of the greatest shows on Hulu. How else will he be able to keep up with the Kardashians?

Join Jessica, Tomi, and Rachel for another exciting VIP as they explore this week's latest in technology. This week, it's all about movies, and the devices you watch them on. Check out these exciting stories.

Show highlights

* Amazon announces half-price Prime memberships for families in the U.S. Receiving assistance and announces the availability of Audio Description on several Amazon Video titles.

* New accessibility features found in iOS 11 which also include low vision enhancements like Smart Invert

* Actiview comes to an accessible theatre near you with the premier of Cars 3

Cool Picks

* Actiview App

* Dolphin EasyReader for iOS

* Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth Headphones

This week, the team is quite active! Join Rachel, Jessica, and Joel, as they discuss topics from a 9-month National Fitness Challenge, to the Ecobee4 Thermostat, to the Amazon Echo stepping into the communication market.

A 9-Month Fitness Challenge?

Students from the Georgia Blind Sports Association along with the United Association of Blind Athletes and the Amerigroup are taking part in a 9-month fitness challenge.

Read about it here

there are always things to say when it comes to getting out there and being active! Listen as the team shares their thoughts on this challenge and the devices used to promote friendly competition.

"Introducing a new way to be together"

How to make calls from your Amazon Echo. In this section, Joel and Jessica demonstrate how the Amazon Echo and the Alexa app now have the ability to make calls and send messages to other Echo users who have enabled this service.

Get all the details here

Getting Smart with the Ecobee4 Thermostat

After all those workouts, being able to set that AC to a cool temperature would be fantastic. Is it doable with this unit?

Take a look here

Cool Picks

As Joel is the audio master on the CBT team, his pick of choice is the app he uses to do all his audio magic.

Reaper

Since Jessica is the traveling ninja, she wants to tell us all about this new transit app she makes extensive use of.

CityMapper Transit App for iOS, web and Android

While at the gym, Rachel really enjoys a great thriller to keep her energized throughout

her workout. She has chosen

Voicedream Reader

You can read pretty much anything, with a variety of voices or fonts to help consume the content the way you want.

Listen and enjoy!

This week the Cool Blind Tech team along with a special guest host, discuss the latest happenings in the world of Accessible Technology. Join Joel, Jessica and Darrell Hilliker as they share their opinions on this week's news and bring to you some very Cool Picks. Make sure to press play or download this week's special show.

Topics This Week Include the Following:

Visually Impaired People Testing Driverless Pods

A new system for the blind to navigate one of the world's busiest airports is currently being tested. Check out what the team has to say and where they hope it will be used in the future.

Microsoft Hosts First Accessibility Summit For People With Disabilities

The inclusion of accessibility in all products or services requires that businesses look at accessibility from a different perspective. Listen to the team discuss how summits are now taking place to do just that.

Adobe Announces A Free Solution For Optical Character Recognition On Your Smart Phone

New and free alternatives for OCR continue to help the visually impaired. Does this mean the end of paid solutions that are specifically made for the blind? Find out what the team has to say on this topic and what they suggest for OCR.

Cool Picks This Week Include the Following:

Google Calendar

Find out how Jessica manages her insane schedule with her Cool Pick this week.

Aira Visual Interpreter for the Blind

Darrell shows us how he uses his Cool Pick for help with day-to-day tasks around the house.

Microsoft OneNote

Joel shows us how he uses OneNote to quickly send thoughts and ideas across his devices.

In this special VIP, James Oates, Joel Ramos, Tamas Geczy, and Jessica Rickards get together to go over all of the many announcements coming out of this year’s WWDC.

Listen in to find out everything new that is coming to iOS, MacOS, and Watch OS. There might also be some new hardware announcements as well.

Cool Picks

Office 365

James talks about staying productive on all of your devices with Microsoft Office 365.

Duolingo

Jessica shows us how to learn another language while having fun.

Home Pod

Joel just can't wait until December to get his hands on Apple's new voice activated home speaker.

Sleep Watch - Auto sleep monitor using your watch

Tomi is all about getting a good nights sleep with the help of the Apple Watch.

This week the Cool Blind Tech team is making some predictions on the Apple Keynote presentation taking place next week. Make sure to catch hosts Joel, Jessica and Tamas as they discuss the lead up to the keynote and bring you this week's latest news in the world of Accessible Technology. Download the podcast or click on play to listen to this week's fun-filled show.

Topics This Week Include the Following

Deaf-Blind People Can Now Access Television With New Software

The team discuss some new software that will help individuals who are deaf-blind access television in real time. Check out how the software works and where it is currently being tested.

The Read Read: An Interactive Tool That Makes Learning Braille Easy.

Learning Braille can be difficult for the young and old alike. But, a new device is currently being tested which will make it easier for anyone to learn Braille. The team talk about how this device can benefit individuals who are blind and where it is being created.

Android O: New Accessibility Features In TalkBack 6.0.0

New updates to the Android screen reader called Talkback is making people think twice about which phone to go with when it comes to accessibility. Listen to see which one of our hosts may be switching and who will still stick to iOS.

Cool Picks This Week Include the Following

IFTTT for Web, iOS and Android

Why spend so much time clicking on things when you can simply automate those processes? Check out Jessica's Cool Pick this week to see how you can make your life more efficient or play some cool pranks.

Just Press Record

Don't you wish there was an app that can help you capture ideas, lectures or musical creations quickly and easily? Tamas shares with us an app that he uses on his Apple Watch that does just that.

Youtube TV App

Joel shares with us an app for those who are looking to cut the cord. Check out how accessible the Youtube TV app is and how you can get it on both iOS and Android.