All Cool Blind Tech Shows

The CBT Team compares 2 of the top wireless chargers recommended for the new iPhone 8 Plus. The Mophie wireless charging base uses the Qi wireless charging standard and is optimized to charge iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X making charging easier than ever. Experience a new and effortless way to charge your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X — wirelessly. Simply set your iPhone down on the Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad and get fast wireless charging performance.

The CBT Team puts the new iPhone 8 Plus to the test by comparing it to the iPhone 7 Plus. Find out if it is worth the upgrade.

A few months ago, I reviewed a label maker by Logan Tech which really raised the bar on how labels are created in terms of both ease of creation and the resulting crispness. While perhaps out of the price range for some, I still considered it a worthwhile investment which would enrich your life, well, for a lifetime of Braille. That's both important and powerful to me. But what if you don't yet know Braille? Label makers become useless for this target of the population, unless, of course, you can also teach them how to fish. (Or in our case, read Braille.) You have the option of buying both the Braille Coach and label maker as a combo, or Buy the coach learning system alone. It is true that the Braille Coach is significantly greater of an investment than the label maker, however it is also one of the best transition-aids to Braille as you get an entire RFID-reading system for pre-recording your own voice tags. For some, having speech as well as the tactile feedback could significantly improve the learning of Braille. Dive into this podcast to find out how the system works and the ways in which it can help perhaps enhance your life.

The CBT Team checks out some of the new Siri voices and how to make it your default voice for the new iPhone 8 Plus.

The CBT Team is back again with another Fanmail show, with James and Nelson as your hosts. Keep sending us your emails and messages from social media and we will read or play your feedback on our show. You can contact us via email to cbt@coolblindtech.com or call our new toll free number at 1-855-330-2665 anytime night or day. From: Alden Can you make a podcast how to downgrade to iOS 10 from iOS 11? From: LeDon What do you guys use to back up your files off site?   Is it easily accessible? From: Beth Hi, enjoyed your latest podcast and here is info about another Second Sight product. From: John Covici

In this Spotlight Interview, James Oates sits down with Kirk Adams, the president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind to discuss the mission of the AFB and the most pressing issues that blind people face in the 21st century. Helpful Resources AFB Website AFB’s Career Connect Page AFB’s Access World Publication AFB Press AFB’s Family Connect Page AFB’s Vision Aware Page AFB’s Publication, “College Bound” Learning Ally Cogswell Macy Act The American Council of the Blind The National Federation of the Blind

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Allison Sheridan from Podfeet. They discuss the top stories from Cool Blind Tech and give you some Cool Picks to think about. Top Stories Amazon Introduces New Accessibility Features for Blind and Visually Impaired Customers Brain Implant Launching Clinical Trial to Restore Vision to Patients Court Finds That Accessibility Rules Apply to Retail Websites Show links * Interview with Second Sight at CSUN * Tutorial of Recording Skype with Audio Hijack * Soundflower on Github (3 years ago) * egrips for iPhone Cool Picks * Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack * iPhone 8 Plus from Apple * Facebook on the App Store for iOS.

The CBT Team gets their hands on the new iPhone 8 Plus and gives their first impressions of the familiar design with some new features. The iPhone 8 Plus introduces an all‑new glass design. The world's most popular camera, now even better. The smartest, most powerful chip ever in a smartphone. And augmented reality experiences never before possible. With no charging cable required, iPhone 8 Plus is truly designed for the future of wireless. Charge with wireless charging stations and mats in hotels, cafés and airports around the world. Tech Specs * 5.5-inch display. * The glass back enables easy wireless charging. * Retina HD Display. * Now with True Tone. * Features a more advanced 12MP camera. * optical image stabilization for photos and videos. * Portrait Lighting. * A11 Bionic chip and more… What’s in the Box * EarPods with Lightning Connector * iPhone * Lightning to USB Cable * 5W USB Power Adapter * Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

CBT is back with another unboxing of a wireless charger, this time from Belkin. Experience a new and effortless way to charge your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X — wirelessly. Simply set your iPhone down on the Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad and get fast wireless charging performance. Experience wireless charging using the Qi wireless standard, which delivers up to 7.5W to your iPhone. A subtle LED indicator allows you to know as soon as your device is placed on the pad and charging. It can charge through most cases - up to 3mm. Fast wireless charging is enabled with a free software update coming later this year. What’s in the Box * Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad * AC Adapter * Quick Start Guide Tech Specs * Power Source: AC * Height: 1.46 cm (0.57 inches) * Length: 11.86 cm (4.7 inches) * Width: 11.86 cm (4.7 inches)

The CBT Team unboxes the Mophie wireless charging base for the new iPhones . The charging base is optimized to charge your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X quickly and easily. Simply set your iPhone on the wireless base and charging begins immediately. The non-slip housing ensures perfect placement and the included wall adapter means you have everything you need to get charging right in the box. The Mophie wireless charging base uses the Qi wireless charging standard and is optimized to charge iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X making charging easier than ever. What’s in the Box * Wireless charging base * Power wall adapter Tech Specs * Cable length: 1.5 m (59 inches) * Power Source: AC * Height: 11.5 mm (0.45 inches) * Length: 97 mm (3.82 inches) * Width: 97 mm (3.82 inches) * Weight: 124 g (4.37 oz)

In this show Nelson Régo Unboxes the New Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE. The series 3 38MM Apple Watch will have a Wi-Fi version priced at $329 and a LTE version priced at $399. The 42MM model costs an additional $30. The cellular version can take and receive calls and use apps without having to have an iPhone nearby. The watch’s phone number must be the same as the phone number already assigned to an iPhone 6 or later. The watch has 16GB of memory and has a distinctive red crown that distinguishes it from non-cellular models. Although Apple will still offer the series 1 watch for $249, the series 2 has been removed from their website.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Jeff Thompson from Blind Abilities and Randy Rusnak from ACB Radio. They discuss the top stories from Apple’s Keynote Event and give you some Cool Picks and tips. Top Stories Accessibility Changes Coming On The iPhone X The new iPhone X has an edge-to-edge screen and no Home Button, but will be using the Sleep/Wake button on the upper right hand side instead for functions such as the triple click feature for accessibility users and initiating Siri commands. Although we have yet to get our hands on the device to test accessibility features for VoiceOver users, Sighted users can wake the iPhone X by tapping on the screen. Users can then access the home screen by swiping up from the bottom of the phone. Switching between apps also requires swiping up from the bottom of the displays. Additionally, users can switch between apps by swiping from the bottom left of the phone. Unlocking the phone is done with the company new Face ID technology. The phone will remain locked until the iPhone X is able to see the user and positively identify their face using the phone’s TrueDepth camera system. We reached out to Apple on how VoiceOver users will be accommodated on the iPhone x and this is what they told us: "The iPhone X has been designed with a number of accessibility features to support its use. An Overview Of the Apple Event Apple announced this fall’s additions to their hardware lineup. They unveiled the Series 3 Apple Watch, a 4K version of the Apple TV, the iPhone 8 and 8+, along with a special iPhone X addition. Cool Picks All-New Element 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Fire TV Edition LG HBS-910 Tone Infinim Bluetooth Stereo Headset - Black Bank of America Mobile Banking Monster Blaster Boombox Wireless Speaker

In this week’s Cool Picks, the CBT Team are joined by Rob Minault from the AT Banter podcast. They discuss some of their favourite Cool Picks. You can contact us via email to cbt@coolblindtech.com or call our new toll free number at 1-855-330-2665 anytime night or day. Cool Picks YouTube Kids by Google, Inc. Nelson has a great recommendation for parents who want their kids to have a safe place to play on the internet. Marty's Blindfold Games Rob is blown away by the number of audio-games a blind person can play on the iPhone. TuneIn Premium For just $9.99 per month, James has found more audio-books, podcasts, news broadcasts, and sporting events than he could ever listen to.

In this week’s VIP, Nelson and James are joined by Rob Minault from the AT Banter podcast. They discuss the top stories from Cool Blind Tech and give you some Cool Picks to think about. News Flash Google launches disability answer desk. Apple and Microsoft already have dedicated staff who are made available to help customers with accessibility related questions. Now Google will do the same in a limited capacity. The disability support team is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 5:00PM PST by email only. The team will respond to your questions within 72 hours. Top Stories 68 Top Scoring Companies That Are The Best PLACES to Work for Disability Inclusion US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) have released the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI) the third year measured by the Index. 110 companies participated in the 2017 DEI, with results indicating where companies are excelling in their commitment to inclusive environmental, social, and governance policies. Bionic Lens Improves Eyesight Beyond Normal Vision Ocumetics Technology Corporation is developing a replacement for the lens found in the human eye. Called the Bionic Lens, it could radically improve eyesight, prevent cataracts, and provide new ways to see the world. LG’s Robot Lawn Mower Works with Alexa and Google Assistant At the IFA consumer electronics trade show, LG showed off a robot lawn mower that they first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year. The robot can be controlled with your voice via the Amazon Alexa or Google voice assistant. You need to setup a perimeter wire around your lawn, so that the mower will know where to stop mowing. But after that, everything is easy. The mower also comes equipped with GPS, so if it is stolen, you will be able to track it down. Cool Picks YouTube Kids by Google, Inc. Nelson has a great recommendation for parents who want their kids to have a safe place to play on the internet. TuneIn Premium For just $9.99 per month, James has found more audio-books, podcasts, news broadcasts, and sporting events than he could ever listen to. Marty's Blindfold Games Rob is blown away by the number of audio-games a blind person can play on the iPhone.

The CBT Team is back again with another Fanmail show? Keep sending us your emails and messages from social media and we will read or play your feedback on our show. You can contact us via email to cbt@coolblindtech.com or call our new toll free number at 1-855-330-2665 anytime night or day. From: Harry Brown Hi there, Just wanted to let you all know that cool blind tech is now on Alexa!!! Just enable the Anypod skill, then, just say, "Alexa, ask Anypod to play cool blind tech", and she will first, tell the listener what the show is about, then, play the podcast! From: Naomi Scott Hi, I heard your podcast on braille display/notetaker options and am wondering if any of you have any hands on experience with Blitab? There was talk of Blitab being commercially available and I think there is an ability to preorder, (though am not certain about that), and anyways I have been searching for stats and updates on the device and haven’t found anything recent. Their website doesn’t really make it clear as to which OS it runs, how exactly the braille cells operate and all the other information you would typically find on other products such as Braille Note or Braille Sense. I am interested in Blitab as opposed to the other options because apparently the user would have the ability to view an entire 15-or-so line page of braille at once, and the device is affordably priced. Even BrailleNote does not give the possibility of viewing an entire page before having to press the scroll button. I think a device where you could view an entire page at once similarly to how sighted people read on Kindle, is quite revolutionary. There may be braille displays out there with full page support (I don’t know), but this is the only device I have heard of that merges the capabilities of a tablet with the braille cell capacity of a full-page display, all in one device. and I am equally interested in the price as it apparently costs no more than a mobile phone, making it a much more available choice for people who do not have state/student programs to purchase the product. It could make braille tech access much more attainable in countries around the world that don’t have such widespread state sponsored support programs. I want to buy a braille device and am primarily interested in Blitab for its unique features. Does anyone at CBT have experience with the product? Any recent news as to its availability for order? What is it like to actually use the product? Does it have quality braille cells in terms of clarity? does anyone know the details of the stats for the device? Thanks! From: Michael Hello. Would it be possible for you to do a podcast discussing in greater depth the ElBraille note taker by Freedom scientific? I have not seen very many reviews of it online and I would like to learn more about it. From: David Keats Voice message