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

J.J. managed to find time away from the A.T. Guys booth to post some convention coverage of his own. In this interview John Herzog, Accessibility Solutions Engineer, describes the many advancements AT&T media based products have been gaining since November 2016. Both the DirecTV apps for Android and iOS are speech friendly now with their respective screen readers. John will take us on a tour of the iOS app with stops by the DVR Manager and live TV functions. You will also hear how you can turn on the talking guide on your DirecTV box along with some other information about accessing your secondary audio. John will also provide information about how similar features can be utilized via the U-Verse apps. All of this amazing access is free to U-Verse and DirecTV subscribers. The Talking Guide page at DirecTV has more information about this new feature of the subscription television service.

Meka White provides her very first interview for the BB Qast in this special look at the Speed Dots booth. Hear Rachel Feinberg tells Meka about products like the power Cube. Plus the screen protectors, talking thermometers and Bluetooth accessories that the company is already known for are on full display. Head over to the Speed Dots website to learn more about the various items in the catalog.

Joe learned a few new terms at ACB 17 that he would like to share with you all. "Accessible Bedding" and "Stay Put Bedding" were terms Joe wasn't familiar with before he started this interview with Ruby Russell and Louie Scheel, who happen to be the co-founders of Distinctive Beddings. But these terms may just begin to slip into conversation with others, as these new linen items may just be the greatest thing ever for those of us who never enjoyed making beds with perfectly straight seams or hospital corners.

Joe caught up with Cody Mitchell, of Irie-AT, and wow there was a ton of things to see there. Irie-AT is the master distributor for Dolphin Computer Access in the U.S. Dolphin just released their free iOS app, with Android version coming soon, Easy Reder. This app allows you to find articles and information from a number of services like NFB Newsline and RNIB. Dolphin also produces Dolphin Guide. Additionally, Joe learned much about the new Guide solutions such as the Guide Pod and Guide Reader. Of course, Dolphin produces the Supernova line of screen magnification and screen reader products for Windows-based computers. But, as they say, "that isn't all", on display at the Irie-AT booth. There are product lines from ReHan, VisionAid and Index embossers to talk about. With so many products covered, you may just want to travel on over to the Irie-AT website to learn more about all of them.

Another convention and another special where we take a long look at a new product. This time, Greg Stilson of Humanware sits down with Joe to talk about the new Victor Reader Trek. It is everything you know about the Trekker line of products, along with everything you love about the Victor Reader Stream and a heck of a lot more rolled into a spiffy new device. In this special, you will hear about what led into the design of the Victor Reader Trek, what comes in the box, what voices it supports, a GPS navigation demonstration, discussions on availability and of course the price. Greg notes that the best way to secure your new Victor Reader Trek is to contact Humanware directly. We'll be speaking with Greg again soon about this device. So send along any questions not asked in this special to feedback@blindbargains.com and we will provide the answers in a later podcast.

With conventions on the horizon, the show will sound just a bit different this week and includes one fewer host, but it's still packed with lots of useful info. PK Mishra stops by to talk about the O6, a portable device which can let you control VoiceOver and more by turning a dial. Scott Davert demonstrates a new speaker dock that we're not really sure how to pronounce, and it's time for the annual A T Guys summer product showcase. While you're soaking in the sun or packing for Reno or Orlando, we hope you enjoy episode 107.

We're beginning to gear up for summer conventions and A T Guys will be at both Exhibit Halls with the new micro-Speak Digital Voice Recorder. You can pre-order yours or other products with codes ACB17 and NFB17 and pick up your products at the booth. Whether you're attending or not, we've got a demonstration of the new Micro-Speak which will give you a feel for this product before you arrive. Stay tuned for more A T Guys product announcements soon.

Speakers and dictation are just some of the ground we cover this week. Joe catches up with Brian Hartgen to talk new products, J.J. tosses in a Bose speaker review and a tip plus we throw out a curve ball in the "Last Word". Be sure to limber up in the "on Deck Circle" before you enter the Batter's Box that is BBQ 105.

J.J., Joe and Scott (who came up with the episode title during our live tweeting of this event) sit down to discuss what was shown in Apple's 2017 WWDC Keynote. New hardware and some insights into what is in store for iOS 11 takes center stage in our conversation. However, we widen our scope to talk about Apple Watch and that "one more thing" everyone knew was coming. So stick your Air Pods in... it is an Applecentric BBQ.

Reading and food might just be two of the things we excel at the most here on BBQ. Reading about food is also a fun thing we do from time to time. This week we'll feature segments on reading, food and some painful audio in the "Last Word". We'll speak with Alex Tavares and Cory Kadlik about the Read Read, a device which can help blind students learn braille. We take a visit back to the Blind Bargains test kitchen for another appliance. But rest assured that there are no cats mentioned in this episode. Okay, one cat does make an appearance. We're just not saying where.

As the title suggests,

Dave Williams, host of the Braillecast podcast, joins J.J. and Joe to talk a whole lot about Braille Displays this week. We also talk about how Site City is unique when compared to similar shows in the U.S. and the big news from VFO. We have a tip and some Amazon related "Last Word" as well. So limber up your Braille reading fingers and dive into episode 101 of the blind bargains Qast.

Dave Williams is back with us to provide some insight on the newly announced Humanware Braille Display in an interview from Sight City with Humanware's Greg Stilson. Joe takes some steps in the kitchen with his Google Home and J.J. brings along a unique link to share in this week's "Last Word". So quiet your smart assistants, it is episode 100 of the BBQ.

You might think that May would be a slow month for news. Well, for the second year in a row, that doesn't seem to be true. We have new hardware news, merger talk and Microsoft held an Education event this past week. Toss in a tip, "Sound Off" and the "Last Word" in the mix for even more audio goodness. Who knew that 99 meant the number of minutes rather than an episode number!

Summer is almost here, and with it comes a bumper crop of new summer movies. We've got a real live film critic on hand, [Jay Forry, to give some suggestions about which cinematic extravaganzas are the best for beating the heat in a cool movie theater this season. We also have some tips on using your Google Home, plus "Sound Off" and the regular topics in the Last Word".