AppleVis Podcast

In this podcast, David Woodbridge takes a look at how the official Twitter app for Mac OS X has become far more usable with VoiceOver following the recent release of version 4.0. Twitter for Mac is available as a free download from the Mac App Store

In this Podcast, David Woodbridge shares his thoughts on the Smart Battery Case which Apple recently released for the iPhone 6 and 6s. Here is Apple’s description of the Smart Battery Case: The Smart Battery Case is engineered specifically for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6 to give you even longer battery life and protection. The soft microfiber lining on the inside helps protect your iPhone, while the soft elastomer hinge design makes it easy to put the case on and take it off again. On the outside, the silky, soft-touch finish of the silicone exterior feels great in your hand. Charge your iPhone and battery case simultaneously for increased talk time up to 25 hours, Internet use up to 18 hours on LTE, and even longer audio and video playback.* With the Smart Battery Case on, the intelligent battery status is displayed on the iPhone Lock screen and in Notification Center, so you know exactly how much charge you have left. The battery case supports Lightning accessories, such as the Lightning to USB Cable (included with your iPhone) and works with the iPhone Lightning Dock (sold separately). Choose from two complementary colors. The Smart Battery Case is available from the Apple Store for US$99

In a follow-up to his previous podcast in which he introduced us to the Beats Pill 2.0 Bluetooth Wireless Speakerhttp://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/beats-pill-20-bluetooth-wireless-speaker-overview-connection-options-and, David Woodbridge shows us how pair two of these speakers so that you can play music through both at the same time or use one as the left channel and the second as the right channel.. Key Features of the Beats Pill 2.0 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker: Tap your phone to your Beats Pill and create an instant connection Sync two Beats Pills by tapping them together to play the same song Tap together twice to stereo your music Despite its compact size the Beats Pill produces powerful sound It's easy to enjoy soaring highs and deep booming bass in every room of the house Pair the Beats Pill to your phone laptop or any other Bluetooth enabled device to change tracks and adjust the volume from up to 30 feet away The Beats Pill frees you to roam so you'll always have premium sound anywhere you go It's lightweight and small enough to fit in your bag If your phone or external device is low on battery power you can use the Beats Pill to give it some juice Take that call The Beats Pill's Bluetooth capability and internal microphone make talking on the phone easier and better sounding than ever before the Beats Pill 2.0 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is available from amazon.com for US$179.99

In this podcast, Victor Tsaran gives us a demonstration of the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker and its companion iOS App. As Victor shows, the app provides an accessible way for blind users to operate and monitor the cooker. The Instant Pot IP-Smart Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker is available from amazon.com for US$180

In this podcast, David Woodbridge takes an in-depth look at TimeBuzz, a new Apple Watch app that makes it possible to feel the current time through vibrations of the Taptic Engine on the Apple Watch. When introducing TimeBuzz to the AppleVis community, the developer offered the following description of how it works: The app is designed especially for blind and low vision users to allow them to discretely get to know the current time without the need for the time to be pronounced. If you open the app on the Apple Watch there will be a large button with the text 'Tap to buzz the time'. When you tap this button the app will start buzzing the current time. It will translate the time into a pattern of long and short vibrations whereby it will first buzz the hours and then the minutes. In between every sequence of vibrations there will be a short pause to be able to separate the hours and minutes from each other. You will feel a distinctive vibrating buzz when opening the app and when you start the buzzing of the current time so that you know when you opened the TimeBuzz app or tapped the button on the screen. To make it easier to start the app you can select a TimeBuzz complication on your watch face so you can start the app directly from the watch face. The patterns of the vibrations can be chosen by selecting a buzz pattern which are named after famous clocks around the world. They range from simple to understand to more advanced shortened vibrations. TimeBuzz is a US$0.99 download from the iTunes App Store

In this podcast, Cruz1996 introduces us to Accounts 2 Checkbook, an iOS app that offers to replace your paper checkbook with a quicker and more convenient way to track your daily finances. You can schedule transactions, transfer funds, capture photo receipts, reconcile, view reports, export data, print, and much more. All features of the Accounts 2 app are designed to be quick, clean, intuitive, and easy to use. Accounts 2 is a US$1.99 download from the iTunes App Store

In this month's AppleVis Extra, Jamie Pauls, Thomas Domville, Alex Hall, and Jeff Bishop take a look at this year's list of AppleVis-recommended apps to help you get the most from your iOS device. Next, Jamie sits down with Scott Davert to take a look at some possible stocking stuffers for the iOS or Mac enthusiast in your life. Recommended products include: Belkin Screen Cleaning Kit Anker PowerCore+ mini (Premium Lipstick-Sized 3350mAh Power Bank) AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable - 4 Inches (10 Centimeters) AMPLIFYZE - TCL PULSE Bluetooth Enabled Vibration and Sound Alarm Here is a link to a review of this alarm on applevis RII 66 Bluetooth Keyboard Speedots tactile screen protectors and cases Sound Pod, now only $22.76

In this podcast, Olivier shows us how to enrol in Apple’s iOS Public Beta Testing Program and install a public beta on your iOS device. Apple says the following about the Beta Software Program: The Apple Beta Software Program lets users try out pre-release software. The feedback you provide on quality and usability helps us identify issues, fix them, and make Apple software even better. Please note that since the public beta software has not yet been commercially released by Apple, it may contain errors or inaccuracies and may not function as well as commercially released software. Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine and your iOS device with iTunes before installing beta software. Install only on non-production devices that are not business critical. We strongly recommend installing on a secondary system or device, or on a secondary partition on your Mac. As Apple stress, you should be aware of the potential risks of installing pre-release software. You also need to be aware that doing so will require you to accept Apple’s Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA). A number of blind and low vision users already actively take part in this program. However, the more that do, the fewer accessibility-related bugs are likely to make it through to public releases of the software. So, if you have the capacity and opportunity to take part in the program, it is something that you should certainly consider.

In this podcast, Scott Davert walks us through [NatureSpace](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/naturespace-relax-meditate/id312618509?m...), an app providing soundtracks to many different types of sounds. This app is a free download in the App Store with in-app purchases. Headphones or a very good set of speakers are recommended to appreciate the full sound quality of the files demonstrated in the ap.

In this podcast, Tunmi introduces us to Mindsight, a free interactive audio adventure for iOS that was created as part of a degree thesis as an educational exploration into the potential for delivering rich, interactive drama using conventional stereo audio enriched with binaural recording techniques. You immerse yourself in the role of blind protagonist Ethan Lewis as he embarks on a journey with his faithful sidekick Alix to rescue his sister from the maniacal villain, Dexter. On the way, he, and you, will have to overcome challenging audio-based puzzles to reach the roof of Dexter's headquarters and save his sister. The story plays out like a combination between a radio drama and a choose-your-own-adventure novel, allowing you to solve fun and challenging puzzles using nothing but your ears, mind, and reflexes.

In this podcast. David Woodbridge gives us an overview and quick demonstration of Blindfold Vee Ball, a free audio game for iOS. In Blindfold Vee Ball, using your finger, you roll a ball up a ramp, where it can land in one of several holes on the playing field. The harder-to-reach holes are worth more points, ranging from 10 points to 100 points. If you roll too fast, you will miss all the holes and the ball ends up in the top gutter. If you roll too slowly, the ball drops into the bottom gutter.

In this podcast. David Woodbridge gives us an overview and quick demonstration of Blindfold Pong, a free audio game for iOS. In Blindfold Pong, you hear one or two balls, and you must move the phone left and right to hit the ball with your paddle. Using head phones or ear buds, you hear the ball heading towards you, and the ball will bounce off of your paddle when it's sound is in the center of your head. The ball gets faster each time you hit it with your paddle, and you can change the bounce angle by hitting it at the left or right side of your paddle. As you move from level to level, your paddle gets smaller and the balls get faster. You can change the ball sounds and many other settings in the game.

In this podcast. David Woodbridge gives us an overview and quick demonstration of Blindfold Breakout, a free audio game for iOS. In Blindfold Breakout, you have a paddle, a ball, and a series of bricks. First, tap the screen to launch the ball from your paddle. When it hits a brick, the brick is shattered, and the ball bounces back to your paddle. To move your paddle, move the phone left and right. Using head phones or ear buds, you hear the ball heading towards you, and the ball will bounce off of your paddle when it's sound is in the center of your head. The ball gets faster each time you hit it with your paddle, and you can change the bounce angle by hitting it at the left or right side of your paddle.

In this podcast. David Woodbridge gives us an overview and quick demonstration of Blindfold Air Hockey, a free audio game for iOS. In Blindfold Air Hockey, you have a mallet or paddle, and there's a puck on the playing table. To start the game, hit the puck swiping your finger. The puck heads towards your opponent's goal, where he knocks it back to you, bouncing off of the walls as it gets closer to your goal. You block his shot, and fire the puck back at his goal. The first player to score 7 goals wins the game.

In this podcast, Tunmi introduces us to Heathcote, a free audio-only adventure for iOS that places you in the roles of intrepid reporters David and Martin. Sixty years ago, a mysterious fire raged through Heathcote asylum, killing all 89 residents and staff. Now, jaded investigators David and Martin return to the site and discover to their horror that the terror might not be over.