AppleVis Podcast

In this podcast, Eric Caron shows us how to use Amadeus Pro on the Mac to convert vinyl albums into digital files which can be played on your computer and portable devices or used to create an audio CD.    Eric’s demonstration includes editing the sound, dividing the recording into songs and moving the album to your iTunes Library.   This process requires a USB turntable.   Amadeus Pro is available from the Mac App Store for $59.99. It enables you to use your Mac for many audio-related tasks, such as live audio recording, creating iPhone ringtones, digitizing tapes and records, converting between a variety of sound formats (including Mp3, MPEG-4 AAC, AIFF, WAVE, WMA, CAF, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis), remastering your iTunes music library, record internet streams, etc.

In this podcast, AnonyMouse gives us a walk-through and demonstration of Umano: Interesting News Read to You, an iOS app that delivers daily headline news and thousands of articles from the world’s best publishers and bloggers narrated by professional voice-actors. Get article recommendations based on your listening history. Build playlists and download articles for offline listening. Share and discuss the content you discover.   Umano is free to download and use, but some features require an auto-renewing subscription.

In this podcast, Talksina gives us a walk-through and demonstration of Streaming Killed The Radio Star, an iOS app that turns the music on your device into your own personalized radio station. As you listen, the app will automatically break in to the music to announce news and weather updates, information about the local area, status updates from Facebook, and more.   The full version of this app is a 99 cents download from the iTunes App Store. A free version with limited functionality is also available.

In this podcast, Cherokee Eagle gives us a walk-through and demonstration of LibriVox Audio Books, an iOS app that provides free access to over 10,000 audiobooks as well as thousands of radio dramas.   Each audiobook can be streamed over the internet or downloaded for later use. All LibriVox audio books can be freely listened to and shared. The LibriVox Audio Books app features classic best sellers and out of print treasures from every genre of literature in more than 30 languages.   This demonstration features the free edition of the app. As you will hear, this has adverts which refresh periodically, causing VoiceOver focus to jump to the top of the page. A paid version of the app is available for $1.99, which presumably would not have this problem.

In this edition of the AppleVis Extra, Thomas and Michael speak with Kwasi Mensah, developer of the popular and accessible iOS games Stem Stumper and SpellStack.   To help people learn how to play the recently released SpellStack, a guide is now available on the developer’s website.

In this podcast, Khalfan Bin Dhaher gives us a walk-through and short demonstration of Ear Monsters, a 3D audio game for iOS.   Monsters from a parallel dimension have created wormholes to invade our universe. They quickly become invisible in our world - but they don't realize we can still hear them!   Your Mission: Kill as many monsters as you can, as fast as you can, as you hear them arrive in our dimension....   Ear Monsters is a fast paced 3D audio action game that requires a keen ear and quick reflexes. With its rapid action and unique gameplay, Ear Monsters brings arcade style gaming and tempo to an audio only experience. Smack down monsters, defuse ticking time-bombs, and utilize overhead air support with 3D sound effects so realistic you’ll look up to see what’s flying over your head.   Although not specifically designed as a game for the blind, Ear Monsters makes extensive use of VoiceOver and is fully accessible.   Ear Monsters: A 3D Audio Game is a $1.99 download from the iTunes App Store.

In this podcast, AnonyMouse gives us a quick demonstration of EyeNote, a free iOS app that offers quick and easy recognition of U.S. currency.   This app has been available for some time, but a recent update has added continuous  recognition, which has reduced the need to hold the iOS device still or capture a photo.   EyeNote works on the iPhone 3GS and greater, the 4th Generation iPod Touch and greater, and the iPad 2 and greater. It is available from the U.S. iTunes App Store.

In podcast Number 529, Wildman Joe gives us a walk-through on how to create and use iTunes smart playlists. He explains What smart playlists are and how do they differ from regular playlists in iTunes. He also discusses why Smart playlists are useful, shows us a few of his own, and concludes by demonstrating how to create a simple smart playlist of your own.

In this podcast, David Woodbridge gives a demonstration of Airfoil for Mac, an application that allows you to play audio on multiple AirPlay devices simultaneously.   Send any audio from your Mac to AirPort Express units, Apple TVs, iPhones and iPod Touchs, and even other Macs and PCs, all in sync! Use Airfoil with web-based audio like Pandora, music services like Spotify, Rdio, MOG, and WiMP, or any other audio playing on your computer. Airfoil for Mac gives you your audio on AirPlay devices all around the house.   Airfoil for Mac can be purchased from the Rogue Amoeba website for $25.

In this podcast, David Woodbridge gives an overview and demonstration for VoiceOver users of the keyboard commands available when using a bluetooth keyboard with an iOS device.

In this podcast, Scott Davert shares some basic tips and good practice for recording audio podcasts.   This should be particularly helpful for those new to podcasting, as Scott highlights a number of things which will make the recording process easier and less stressful and ensure that the resulting podcast achieves what was intended.   Although much of what Scott discusses is good practice for any podcast, there is particular emphasis on tips for recording app demonstrations.   If you are thinking about submitting a podcast to AppleVis, you should also read our tips and guidelines for podcast submissions.

In this podcast, David Woodbridge shows how the gift of a LunaTik Wrist Strap has enabled him to save his iPod Nano 6th Generation from a life at the back of a drawer by turning it into a wearable watch.

In this podcast, Michael Hansen gives us a quick tip on how to increase the maximum volume output of the internal speakers on MacBook laptops running Windows via Boot Camp. Michael demonstrates that by checking the "Disable All Enhancements" checkbox under Control Panel > Sound> Playback> Speaker Properties under the "Enhancements" tab, it is possible to dramatically increase the maximum volume output from the internal speakers--without distortion.

In this podcast, AnonyMouse takes a look at two apps from Apple which offer the opportunity to get some free goodies. The first is the Apple Store app. In addition to letting you browse what’s available from Apple’s online store and their retail outlets, the app now usually offers a short-term giveaway - commonly music, an app or an iBook. The second app. 12 Days of Gifts. offers a free download each day from 26 December through 6 January. What’s on offer will likely vary between countries, but it will probably include songs, apps, books, films and TV shows. Apple has run this promotion for a number of years. but this is the first that it has been available in the USA.

In this podcast, David Woodbridge takes a look at the recently released iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display. After a physical description of each, he talks us through the initial setup on iOS 7, VoiceOver navigation and the multi-tasking gestures which are specific to the iPad.