Blind Bargains Audio: Featuring the BB Qast, Technology news, Interviews, and more

Self service options have been gaining momentum beyond the gas pump and the grocery lines. McDonald s, and others in the Food Service industry, have been exploring Cashierless payment alternatives such as those involving the use of Kiosks for general user transactions. AudioEye s Dan Sullivan, Vice President of Sales, and Mark Maker, CTO, discuss with Joe some of the challenges that can come with moving to these kinds of payment platforms and how AudioEye is leveraging their existing technology to meet those challenges. To learn more about where the company is going in the future, or to inquire about their web access solutions, visit the AudioEye website

We have been covering the development of the Canute multi-line braille reader for a few years as it moves towards its anticipated release. Thankfully, as you will find below, the unit is now heading towards an initial production run with a launch for later this year. Ed Rogers, Managing Director of Bristol Braille Technology, and Dave Williams, Chair of the Braillists Foundation, look back at the Canute s journey to market and summarize some under the hood changes to the device that have occurred since we last spoke to the duo. J.J. also gathers some observations on Bristol Braill s recent win of the NBP Touch of Genius award and how it impacted their work in this critical launch phase of the project. To learn more about the release of the Canute, and to see information about launch partners, visit the Bristol Braille website

Long time readers, and listeners, know that the BBQ Crew has some complicated audio and visual setups when it comes to consuming content on the web. But not everyone wants to go to that extreme. That's why J.J. took a moment to speak with Fabien Jeannau, Founder and CEO of Voxiweb, about the upcoming U.S. launch of VoxiTV. The product can be purchased as a set top box, with remote, or as stand alone software for a tablet. The easy to use menu driven interface contains more than 75 services broken down into 8 categories. J.J. takes a tour of the set top box itself, describes the included remote and learns about some of the connection options that are available for that version of the service. For more information, keep watching the Inside Vision U.S. website for details about pricing and launch specifics

It might seem like a novel approach to take off the shelf technology and adapt it to the needs of others, however, CSUN has been known for companies transforming the every day product into that of A.T. for decades. Substitute a Sony Camcorder for an iPad Pro 13 inch, or a Samsung VR, and you will find that the process of the past isn t all that different from the current forms Video Magnification can take. Shelly spoke to Namita Joshi of TrySight Canada - Low Vision Solutions, about two of their currently shipping products that use iPads and Samsung VR display solutions. The iPad option uses a fold up stand for easy to carry travel concerns. And the VR headset can be operated by voice control for hands free use. If you would like to learn more about these products, and others in their line, visit the TrySight Canada website

The CSUN Exhibit Halls aren't always the places where you can find technology news. Sometimes they can be in the coffee shop, the line for pizza or even the lobby area of the Anaheim Marriot. J.J. caught up with Jessica Hipp, COO of WayAround, and Neva Fairchild of the AFB Center On Vision Loss in Dallas, in one of the quieter spaces at the hotel to talk about WayAround. In this conversation the pair talk about how the system is using tags for identification of materials and indoor navigation. For example, you can use WayAround to aid you in gardening, crafts and identifying specific products and objects in your home. Listen in as Jessica describes the differences between the iOS and Android versions of the app. And how you can enhance your experience with the WayLink. For more information about WayAround, you can listen to our coverage from ACB 2018

Last year, in San Diego, Shelly and J.J. had a chance to try a perceptible snack

The Tactile Maps Automated Production project isn't new, but it has taken on new legs since the San Francisco Lighthouse took over the project and started work to add new features to make the maps more versatile. J.J. talks to Scott Blanks, Senior Director of Programs for the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, to learn about the latest features with the TMAP project including representation of building shapes and pedestrian paths, and how to order a map for yourself.

Bose Frames were a widely talked about item at CSUN, and one with significant accessibility potential. AIRA is one company jumping on the augmented audio reality bandwagon in a big way and Greg Stilson, Aira's Director of Product Management, joins Joe to talk all about it. They also explore free trials and a huge award win at SXSW. Learn more about Aira at their website.

We often get asked about the origins of the Blind Bargains web player, so rather than us talk about it, we went straight to the source. J.J. speaks with Terrill Thompson, Technology Accessibility Specialist at the University of Washington, to learn about the development of Able Player including some of the advanced techniques used for creating accessible videos including audio-described content. The player is free to use for your website and also works with YouTube videos.

You may not have heard of Verizon Media but you may recognize some of the properties that they work on including Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! Fantasy Football and Yahoo! Finance.

J.J. is already on the road, and Joe is sitting on his still not yet packed, empty suitcase, during the recording of this show. The pair share their thoughts on some news and rumors making the rounds. J.J. also provides us with some stories, plus a few audio clips. from his time in Kentucky at the Indoor Navigation Symposium. No tip this week, however, we have plenty of "Sound Off" and the "Last Word" has your next date night planned. So, pack a blue tooth brush for this one foot out the door BBQ.

Welcome to our first installment of BBQ Bites (spelling under construction.) It's a new show format that we are taking out for a test spin. In these smaller length podcasts you will find a deeper dive into a subject than we would usually do on our so-called traditional format episodes. On this maiden voyage of BBQB (acronym under construction(, Ricky

J.J. is back from Orlando with the interview that got away from him at ATIA, Bardo Hoffmann Of VisioBraille. We also have a product review in "Sound Off", a ton of news along with a couple of Joe's tweets that influenced a Windows Tip and J.J.'s contribution to the "Last Word". Make a good pot of coffee, or tea, because this one will last more than a simple cup full of content.

At ACB 2018 we caught up with Jenny Axler to learn about the debut of the QBraille XL. The hybrid device is now shipping and on display at ATIA19. J.J. caught up with Damion Pickering and Earl Harrison of HIMS, to talk about how the QWERTY keyboard Braille display has changed since its summer splash onto the A.T. scene. If you would like to find out more about the unit s features, or discover what else is happening at HIMS, visit their website

David Bradburn, President of Zoomax USA, on BBQ 153