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

We speculated in BBQ 172 about the features of Humanware s newest Video Magnifier with the idea that we would learn more when J.J. traveled to ATIA. Enter Eric Beauchamp , Product Manager For Low Vision Devices, who stepped into the Humanware suite with all the info about the new Reveal 16 and then some. Hear how the unit folds down, the battery life and the operating system in this interview. Then go back to our previous episode and see if we guessed right. To order the Reveal 16, or to learn more about Humanware's Low Vision line of products, head over to the company's website

The cool thing about ATIA is that you can sometimes get an early look at an upcoming product before it arrives at the summer shows. Jeff Gardner, CEO of IRIE-AT, gave J.J. a look at a prototype video magnifier called the Read Easy Evolve. Hear a description of the unit and then a live demo from the Exhibit Hall floor. The conversation then moves toward Braille as Jeff gives an overview of the Braille Buddy embosser and provides some information about accessible phones. And that is just scratching the surface of the products being displayed at ATIA. To learn more about the products mentioned in this interview, and so much more, head over to the IRIE-A.T. website

Microsoft has been steadily adding features and enhancements to Windows 10 over the course of a series of Spring and Fall updates. Braille support, speech during the installation process and having the ability to use Narrator in safe mode are just some of the accomplishments the Accessibility Teams at Microsoft have brought to the operating system. Jason Grieves, Product Manager Low Vision Windows Accessibility, had a moment at ATIA to chat with J.J. about how the company is now providing that same focus for Windows Magnifier. Jason outlines features coming to magnifier in the Spring Update that include enhancements to pointers, centralized focus and how users can do more with Narrator and Magnifier running together. To stay up to date with everything going on with access at Microsoft, and to attend their new webinar series, follow Microsoft Access on Twitter

Many of us consider the rise of Audio Description and Caption services as something that came about recently. However, what if we told you that early forms of these services date back to 1958? In this interview Kyle Sisk, Information Systems Manager for the Described and Captioned Media program, provides J.J. a look at how accessible content goes all the way back to the 16 millimeter film strip. Kyle then talks about how the DCMP is one of the largest creators of educational based described and captioned content currently through more modern delivery services like the web, iOS app and even a Roku Channel. Tune in to hear how the DCMP has worked with Netflix and how you can become a member of their free services. If you would like to know more, visit the DCMP website

Gareth Collins, Tech Support Manager for Dolphin, is no stranger to the BBQ microphones as we try to catch up with him at each of the major Blindness and Low Vision events. This time around Mr. Collins has much to bring J.J. up to speed on with Dolphin as the easy to use Guide software has seen a dramatic re-write from the ground up. Hear about the changes coming to Guide, more about GuideConnect and learn about how this combination is great for those out there who want to use computer services without having to know, or troubleshoot, the inner workings of a computer. The pair also discuss what is new with the soon to be released Supernova 18. And don't forget that Dolphin s free EasyReader app is available for Android and iOS. To catch up with all the goings on at the company, or to obtain free trials of the software mentioned in this interview, venture over to the Dolphin Computer Access website

Many people are familiar with the phrase one size does not fit all. There can be many good solutions out there to solving a problem. And that philosophy is what fuels the DIY community to creatively accomplish tasks outside of the typical mainstream method of doing so. Chad Leaman, Director of Innovation for Makers Making Change, explains to J.J. how the Neil Squire Society is offering a way for creators to tackle common Assistive Technology issues through the power of community and open source solutions. To learn more about this project, or to join in the cause and submit your own ideas, visit the Makers making Change website

PDF documents are no good, bad and evil things. Unfortunately, they are still necessary evils that many of us encounter in our daily travels. But as cruel as they are to use, they can be even more difficult to inclusively create. Dennis Quon, Director of Document Accessibility Solutions for Crawford Technologies, took a moment on the Exhibit Hall floor to explain to J.J. that the process of making compliant PDFs can be made less stressful and nearly instantaneous by using services through Crawford Technologies' web portal. Dennis outlines the steps their web based software takes to scan, recommend or make changes to uploaded materials that can make them easier to use by more readers. Listen in, or read the transcript below, to hear how artificial intelligence is taming this task. To learn more, and try the service for yourself, visit the Crawford Technology website

BraiBook truly is portable Braille you can put in a pocket. The one cell device has already been on the market in Spain and is now making its way to the U.S. and U.K. Sebastien Lefebvre, CEO, gives J.J. an overview of the unit. Navigation is accomplished by hearing speech from the on board headphone jack, moving through options with a small stick control and materials can be transferred to the BraiBook via USB. The $450 model was shown off in Orlando and more information can be found at the BraiBook website

If you like our longer deep dives into product features, then this one is for you. J.J. sits down with Andrew Flatres, Braille Product Manager for HumanWare, to pour over the specs and feature set of the new BrailleNote Touch Plus. Chipset upgrades, Oreo and a move to Chrome are just some of the highlights of this discussion. Listen in, or read the transcript below, to find more information about the upgrade path for existing users and what awaits those who choose to follow the transplant option. Pricing options, as well as other Blindness related products, are available from the HumanWare website

The first proper show of 2019 has us taking our annual look at the trends that emerged from CES. We have a pile of news to comment upon, a few emails from the holidays to discuss and even a tip that works for that A Lady or G Lady voice assistant in your life.

2018 saw us release 40 episodes, tons of convention audio and lots of demos over the course of the year. And all that audio was nearly perfect in every way. No really, it was because one man one amazingly patient man made us sound much better than the original recordings. Until now. The rest of the BBQ Crew call this traditional episode The Revenge Show , however, you may know it by the moniker Patrick s Outtakes episode. Over the course of 90 embarrassingly, painful for us yet not for Patrick, long minutes you will hear many things that hit the cutting room floor with a resounding thud. And don t worry as the Wolverine returns, Joe s Diva demo cat is back, and a couple of catchy tunes will have your toe tapping along the way. So, sit back and relax as you listen to why we do not do online streams of this podcast. And thanks again to Patrick Perdue for making this all possible!

For the first time, in many years of posting and podcasting these annual summations, we can say "this one is different" for two very distinct reasons. Number one, it has been a very short 11ish months since we looked back at the year that was 2017 thanks to odd schedules amongst the BBQ Crew. And two, we have dispensed with the top ten list for something more conversational and topic driven. There are still lists of things, as you will read below, because it is an internet law that podcasts must do so in order to keep their street cred. The bonus to this decision is that the lists generated below came from you, the listeners, and the most downloaded content of the year.

It is the last regular format show of the year and wow is it filled with a lot of tech. Longtime friend of the show Steve Nutt

We have a lot to cover this week and it really isn't related to the news section. Social media access takes center stage in our interview section this week with Jesse Beach from Instagram. We revisit the audio format discussion in Sound Off, food for thought in the Last Word and two live demos in the mix as well. Santa may have brought us a few early presents in episode 168 of the BBQ.

We re back in the studio proper and we even have some news on hand despite it being the last month of the year. Joe follows up last week s TV tips with a demo of his new sound bar. The Last Word is food-related and Sound Off asks a question about BBQ history. Hide your nose from old Jack Frost and settle down with us for a warm winter s episode of the Qast.