VIP by COOL BLIND TECH

The Cool Blind Tech team is on top of the news in the world of accessible technology. This week, Joel, Jessica and Nelson discuss the latest happenings from Google, NVDA and say goodbye to an old friend. Make sure to download the podcast or press play to listen to this week's information filled show.

Topics This Week Include the Following

What We Liked From Google IO 2017

The team shares its opinions on the most recent developers conference from Google. There is a lot of great features in the works and Joel, Nelson and Jessica share their favorites.

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

By now the news of the screen reader Window Eyes being discontinued by the VFO group has been heard by most. But, how will it impact the blind community? The team discuss this and provide some links below to alternate screen readers that are available for the PC.

NVDA

Jaws

Windows Narrator

ScreenReader by Dolphin Computer Access

System Access

NVDACon 2017

One of those alternate screen readers discussed by the team is NVDA. The team discuss its development and how it is used by the CBT team to bring you such great content as these podcasts. If you wish to listen to recordings of the conference, take a look here. If you wish to contribute to the future development of NVDA and projects like Osara, you can donate here.

Cool Picks This Week Include the Following

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable

Joel is digging in the crates for old school vinyl with his cool pick this week. It's a new twist on how to play records via USB.

The Google Assistant for iOS

Jessica might be switching to a new virtual assistant on her iPhone with the latest release of the Google Assistant on the app store.

Aura Luxury Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Airplay

Nelson claims to have found the ultimate Bluetooth speaker with his Cool Pick this week. The way he talks about the speaker, it must sound incredible!

This week the Cool Blind Tech team reviews some of the latest happenings in the world of accessible technology. Join hosts Joel, Jessica and Rachel as they discuss new laptops, navigational aids for the blind and of course their Cool Picks of the week. It's another jam-packed show that can't be missed.

Topics This Week Include the Following

New Laptops from Microsoft

Is Microsoft and the Narrator screenreader ready for prime time on the new Windows 10S operating system? Check out what the team has to say and how it may affect you.

Boosting Smart City Inclusion

Is your city ready to become a smart city? Find out how steps are being made to ensure that no one with a disability is left behind when city managers decide its time to upgrade.

Touchable Tablets Could Guide the Blind

New magnetic technology is providing a portable navigational aid for the blind. Find out who is creating this device and how you can use it for traveling.

Cool Picks This Week Include

Google Play Music

Jessica is loving the variety of music she has available to listen to just by saying "ok Google" on her Google Home Speaker.

If carrying too many cables for your devices is a problem for you, check out Rachel's Cool Pick this week. It can definitely help you stream line your life or at the least, untangle it a bit.

Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper

Who says that you can't have popcorn at home that tastes just like at the movies? Joel shows off a very accessible stove top popper that can help you get that movie experience at home.

Join Jessica, Joel, and Hugo for another exciting VIP! This week, our team explore everything from fashionista Alexa, to Google's latest venture which might just allow you to use that smart phone with greasy hands. Here's a taste of what's coming in this exciting episode!

* Alexa Goes Fashionista With Echo Look

* Google Play Best Accessibility Experience Award Nominees for 2017

* Touching screens with messy hands may be a thing of the past with Google's Project Soli

* Google Assistant is being introduced to third party developers

Cool Picks:

NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop with 10.5" Fry Pan, Black

Talking Typer by American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

Rockville studio monitor speakers

Join Jessica, Nelson, and Joel for an exciting VIP. This week, we have some dynamic stories. Here is what's been happening in the world of tech:

* 72-Year Old Man Regains Sight Through Tooth Extraction

* DCMP Makes Hundreds of TV Episodes Available In Closed Captioning and Audio Description

* Google Home Now Supports Multiple User Account Profiles With Unique Voice Recognition

Cool Picks:

Mr. Coffee Single Cup K-Cup Brewer

Status Audio CD-1 Headphones

T-fal Actifry Express Air Fryer, redesigned and most technologically advanced Actifry model yet. Extra-large capacity (up to 6 people).

Join James, Jessica, and Nelson as they discuss some of the top stories from CBT this week.

The Windows 10 Creators Update Has Finally Arrived.

The team talks about the new features available in the Windows 10 Creators Update. They let you know what new accessibility features are available, and talk about how you can get the update. Make sure that you click the link above so that you can read Tamas Geczy’s review of the next version of Windows. The article is in two parts and is full of a wealth of information.

ASU Professor Helps Develop a Medical Device to Help the Blind See.

Arizona State associate professor, Bradley Greger, has developed an implant that is placed directly in the visual cortex of the brain to provide visual data to those who don’t have functional retinas.

Virtual Assistant Guiding a Blind Man in Marathon.

With help from Aira, Erich Manser, a member of the accessibility team at IBM, is making an amazing run in the Boston Marathon.

Cool Picks

The BuzzClip

Nelson lets us know what all the buzz is about.

The BuzzClip is a complementary mobility tool to address upper body and head level obstacles.

Crafting Kingdom for iOS

Jessica dares you to build an empire and join her on a quest with the iOS game, Crafting Kingdom.

Year Zero: A Novel by Rob Reid

James invites you to share in his strange reading habits by delving into this unusual science fiction novel by Rob Reid, the founder of Rhapsody.

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This week the Cool Blind Tech team discuss some major issues affecting your privacy while you are logged on to the internet. Joel, Jessica, and Hugo share their thoughts on Virtual Private Networks, how it affects you and why you should care. Plenty of important and fun topics are just waiting for you to press play on your favorite podcast player.

Topics This Week Include the Following:

I Can Set Up Windows With Just My Voice?

The Microsoft team continues to work on making the out-of-box experience for everyone as easy and fun as possible. You'll be amazed at the latest changes they made and how it can help you with your next installation of windows 10. If you're still using Windows 7 or XP, this will definitely get you to upgrade.

There May Soon Be Help for Purchasing Accessible Technology

A new bill currently making its way through the US House of Representatives may help blind Americans with the cost of accessible technology. Joel, Jessica and Hugo discuss how it can benefit those who pay for accessible technology with out of pocket costs.

Having the Best of Both Worlds With Virtual Assistants

The Cool Blind Tech team discuss a fun new device that will benefit those who are torn on whether to join the Alexa team or the Google Assistant team. If you're like Joel, Jessica, and Hugo and want the best of both worlds, then you definitely have to find out about this new device coming out in June 2017.

Cool Picks This Week Include:

TinyInvoice for iOS

Jessica shows us how she keeps track of her invoices on an incredible app available for your iOS devices. If you're looking to do the same, then make sure to download her suggestion.

T-Mobile Content Transfer App

Hugo tells us about an app that can help you transfer content from your old phone to your new one with T-Mobile. Take a listen to his experiences with this app and how easy it is to use on both iOS and Android

The New Apple iPad

Joel picks up the new iPad and praises how fast and responsive the latest tablet from Apple is while using voiceover. If you're looking for a new tablet to buy, you might just want to pick up a new iPad

This week the Cool Blind Tech Team discusses some of the important questions surrounding the headlines in the tech world. Join Joel, Jessica, and Nelson as they share their opinions on whether or not a companies reputation should influence their decision on what accessible technology to buy. These answers and more are just waiting for you to press play and listen.

Topics discussed on this week's show include:

The Price of Braille Reading Devices Continues to Become More Affordable

Check out the team's view on the "Canute" and how it is making believers of non-Braille readers like Joel.

Augmented Reality Glasses Continue to Produce Accessible Apps

A year ago Micro Soft announced a new device which they called Hololens. The team discusses some amazing apps that have been developed for these incredible AR glasses. Check it out here to get an idea of some of the apps discussed.

Look Mom! No hands!

Dictation apps are available now in just about all platforms and with many virtual assistants. But, what about an app that helps you do more than just dictation? See how much you can do with one of the team's latest finds.

Cool Picks This Week Include:

iFax for iOS

Jessica shows us iFaxfrom the Apple App Store that helps you send faxes from your mobile device.

Tile - Find & Track Your Lost Phone

Nelson demonstrates a cool device that works with an app on your smart phone to help you find those lost items. Check out the podcast and grab the Tile app.

Android Nougat Features

Joel is enjoying the new features that Nougat version 7.0 is bringing to his Moto G4 phone. If you're running Marshmallow on your cell phone, you might want to see if it's listed for an update to Nougat.

In this week’s, VIP, James Oates, Joel Ramos, and Rachel Feinberg discuss the top headlines concerning:

* A Security Threat to Apple Customers

* New Products from Apple

* The First Glimpse at the Next Version of Android

* And What’s New in TalkBack for Android

They also examine the top stories from CBT concerning:

* The Flying Eye Hospital from Orbis

* Tactile Ultrasounds for Blind Parents who are Expecting

* And a Fantastic Way to Read Graphs with Your Web Browser

Cool Picks

James gets cooking with the West Bend 86604 Programmable Steamer.

West Bend 12-hour Programmable Steamer provides consumers a healthy option for steaming vegetables, fish, chicken, and rice. This versatile small electric includes two stackable 3-1/2-quart steam baskets, and a 5-cup rice bowl and drip tray. Complete with brushed stainless steel accents to provide an upscale statement to this item.

Rachel can’t wait for keyboard shortcuts and notification channels coming to Android O This Fall.

Android enthusiasts, this is a great time for you. Android O first developer preview is now available for installation via flashing to your device.

Joel is crooning over the DBX 286S Microphone Processor.

One device to get all those vocal effects into your recording and not worry about adding them later. It has built-in compression, noise gate and more.

Join Jessica, James, and Nelson for another exciting VIP as they discuss the latest happenings in accessible tech. Lots of excitement this week, and we've got you covered! Here are our stories

:

Highlights From South by Southwest

* Speaker's Panel focuses on the future of accessibility in design

* Levi's Smart Jacket shows promise for accessible features

Featured Stories * Microsoft Introduces In-Game Text-To-Speech and Speech-To-Text Chat Transcription (Halo Wars II ONLY to start)

* Kindle for PC is now accessible with NVDA for the first time

* Introducing Macaron by Oseyeris: Measurement and Navigation Device

Cool Picks

* Breaking News by Vijay Anand for iOS

Breaking News by Vijay Anand for Android

* Move To Measure - Flying Ruler by Alexey Brilev (paid) iOS app

* LoDel, local food delivery

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please leave us feedback! We'd love to hear from you! Who knows, you may be featured on one of our future podcasts.

In this VIP, Joel Ramos, Hugo Gallegos, and Jessica “Fyre” Rickards tell us all about what is burning up the Assistive Tech World.

Cool Picks

Amazon Registries: Gift Shopping Made Simple

Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Power Bank with Qualcomm Quick 2.0 and PowerPort+ 1 with Quick Charge 3.0 Wall Charger

SoundSource gives you one place to go for all Mac's most important audio controls