All Cool Blind Tech Shows

In this weeks Cool Picks, James Oates, Joel Ramos, Tamas Geczy, and Jessica Rickards get together to share their latest findings in the world of assistive tech. Cool Picks Duolingo Jessica shows us how to learn another language while having fun. Sleep Watch - Auto sleep monitor using your watch Tomi is all about getting a good nights sleep with the help of the Apple Watch. Home Pod Joel just can't wait until December to get his hands on Apple's new voice activated home speaker. Office 365 James talks about staying productive on all of your devices with Microsoft Office 365.

In this podcast, James Oates takes a listen to the new enhanced Siri voice on iOS 11. He also checks out Siri’s ability to translate phrases into other languages. He then tests out the new type to Siri feature, and talks about Siri suggestions.

There are only a few ways people can create Braille labels these days. One could use a $500-1000 Perkins Brailler and feed the tape into it, after which you cut it yourself per label. There are other handheld labeling devices sold which provide a stamping mechanism for labels; These take time and require rotating the disc after each strike. Not convenient. Logan Tech's Label Maker solves this problem quite well by offering a solution even those with sight could integrate with. In this case, the device allows for a qwerty keyboard to be hooked up over micro-USB, providing labeling as well. A note about the recording from after it was recorded. At one point, I pondered if the batteries in the unit can be recharged or are rechargeable. There is an FAQ page which explains that using batteries which recharge is not recommended. These may damage the unit as they cannot provide exact currents that it may require. In the few weeks of constant use the unit has received, I have not had to replace the batteries however, so expect quite some time out of them. For anyone looking to make labels for a family member, schools which wish to keep a unit on-hand to deliver crisp labels quickly to students will find their world opened by this option as well. If you would like to know more about the products provided by LoganTech, check out their Youtube. If you would like to know more about the 6Dot Braille Label Maker, you can follow 6Dot on Twitter, or connect with 6Dot on Facebook.

In this special VIP, James Oates, Joel Ramos, Tamas Geczy, and Jessica Rickards get together to go over all of the many announcements coming out of this year’s WWDC. Listen in to find out everything new that is coming to iOS, MacOS, and Watch OS. There might also be some new hardware announcements as well. Cool Picks Office 365 James talks about staying productive on all of your devices with Microsoft Office 365. Duolingo Jessica shows us how to learn another language while having fun. Home Pod Joel just can't wait until December to get his hands on Apple's new voice activated home speaker. Sleep Watch - Auto sleep monitor using your watch Tomi is all about getting a good nights sleep with the help of the Apple Watch.

This week the Cool Blind Tech team brings you this week's latest Cool Picks in the world of Accessible Technology. Download the podcast or click on play to listen to this week's fun-filled show. Cool Picks This Week Include the Following Just Press Record Don't you wish there was an app that can help you capture ideas, lectures or musical creations quickly and easily? Tamas shares with us an app that he uses on his Apple Watch that does just that. IFTTT for Web, iOS and Android Why spend so much time clicking on things when you can simply automate those processes? Check out Jessica's Cool Pick this week to see how you can make your life more efficient or play some cool pranks. Youtube TV App Joel shares with us an app for those who are looking to cut the cord. Check out how accessible the Youtube TV app is and how you can get it on both iOS and Android.

In this podcast, I demonstrate how to use Reaper to import a piece of audio, select a portion of it, and export it to GoldWave in order to make a ringtone for the iPhone. Those wishing to make tones for Android may follow these steps, but no exporting to GoldWave is necessary. Just save it in Reaper and transfer it to your phone. Have fun! If you're wishing to get Reaper and GoldWave, look no further: Here's Reaper Here's GoldWave

In this Spotlight Interview, James Oates sits down with Brad Turner, the vice president of global literacy at Benetech. They discuss: Benetech Brad tells us about the organization and its mission. Bookshare Brad tells us about how the organization has grown into such a successful digital platform that makes more than a half a million books available for blind and visually impaired individuals. Born Accessible Brad talks about Benetech’s mission to ensure that as more and more print material is born in a digital format, it also needs to be born in an accessible format. The Marrakesh Treaty Brad updates us on the current status of the Marrakesh Treaty in the US Senate. He also discusses the global benefit of this treaty. Spotlight Gateway Brad finally talks about Benetech’s efforts to help with Spotlight Gateway, which is a project designed to help those who have a visually impairment gain access to the power of reading through a combination of the Spotlight Text app, a Bookshare membership, and an iPad. Students who are eligible can receive all of these for free through the Spotlight Gateway program

This week the Cool Blind Tech team is making some predictions on the Apple Keynote presentation taking place next week. Make sure to catch hosts Joel, Jessica and Tamas as they discuss the lead up to the keynote and bring you this week's latest news in the world of Accessible Technology. Download the podcast or click on play to listen to this week's fun-filled show. Topics This Week Include the Following Deaf-Blind People Can Now Access Television With New Software The team discuss some new software that will help individuals who are deaf-blind access television in real time. Check out how the software works and where it is currently being tested. The Read Read: An Interactive Tool That Makes Learning Braille Easy. Learning Braille can be difficult for the young and old alike. But, a new device is currently being tested which will make it easier for anyone to learn Braille. The team talk about how this device can benefit individuals who are blind and where it is being created. Android O: New Accessibility Features In TalkBack 6.0.0 New updates to the Android screen reader called Talkback is making people think twice about which phone to go with when it comes to accessibility. Listen to see which one of our hosts may be switching and who will still stick to iOS. Cool Picks This Week Include the Following IFTTT for Web, iOS and Android Why spend so much time clicking on things when you can simply automate those processes? Check out Jessica's Cool Pick this week to see how you can make your life more efficient or play some cool pranks. Just Press Record Don't you wish there was an app that can help you capture ideas, lectures or musical creations quickly and easily? Tamas shares with us an app that he uses on his Apple Watch that does just that. Youtube TV App Joel shares with us an app for those who are looking to cut the cord. Check out how accessible the Youtube TV app is and how you can get it on both iOS and Android.

The CBT team cools down from the heat wave. This week, Joel, Jessica and Nelson discuss their latest Cool Picks Cool Picks This Week Include the Following The Google Assistant for iOS Jessica might be switching to a new virtual assistant on her iPhone with the latest release of the Google Assistant on the app store. Aura Luxury Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Airplay Nelson has found the ultimate Bluetooth speaker with his Cool Pick this week. The way he talks about the speaker, it must sound incredible! Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable Joel is digging in the crates for old school vinyl with his cool pick this week. It's a new twist on how to play records via USB.

The Cool Blind Tech team is on top of the news in the world of accessible technology. This week, Joel, Jessica and Nelson discuss the latest happenings from Google, NVDA and say goodbye to an old friend. Make sure to download the podcast or press play to listen to this week's information filled show. Topics This Week Include the Following What We Liked From Google IO 2017 The team shares its opinions on the most recent developers conference from Google. There is a lot of great features in the works and Joel, Nelson and Jessica share their favorites. It's So Hard to Say Goodbye By now the news of the screen reader Window Eyes being discontinued by the VFO group has been heard by most. But, how will it impact the blind community? The team discuss this and provide some links below to alternate screen readers that are available for the PC. NVDA Jaws Windows Narrator ScreenReader by Dolphin Computer Access System Access NVDACon 2017 One of those alternate screen readers discussed by the team is NVDA. The team discuss its development and how it is used by the CBT team to bring you such great content as these podcasts. If you wish to listen to recordings of the conference, take a look here. If you wish to contribute to the future development of NVDA and projects like Osara, you can donate here. Cool Picks This Week Include the Following Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Professional Turntable Joel is digging in the crates for old school vinyl with his cool pick this week. It's a new twist on how to play records via USB. The Google Assistant for iOS Jessica might be switching to a new virtual assistant on her iPhone with the latest release of the Google Assistant on the app store. Aura Luxury Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Airplay Nelson claims to have found the ultimate Bluetooth speaker with his Cool Pick this week. The way he talks about the speaker, it must sound incredible!

The over the air update for the Android O developer preview has arrived, and there are some very interesting new features for those of us who use TalkBack. Listen to this podcast to find out what accessibility improvements are on the way. If you are considering installing the developer preview of Android O, make sure that you backup your device before enrolling in the Android Beta program, and downloading the update. Listen to this podcast on how too backup and enroll an Android device in the Beta program, if you need a step by step guide on how to do it.

This week the Cool Blind Tech team gives us some of their latest Cool Picks in the world of accessible technology. It's another jam-packed show that can't be missed. Cool Picks This Week Include Google Play Music Jessica is loving the variety of music she has available to listen to just by saying "ok Google" on her Google Home Speaker. If carrying too many cables for your devices is a problem for you, check out Rachel's Cool Pick this week. It can definitely help you stream line your life or at the least, untangle it a bit. Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper Who says that you can't have popcorn at home that tastes just like at the movies? Joel shows off a very accessible stove top popper that can help you get that movie experience at home.

This week the Cool Blind Tech team reviews some of the latest happenings in the world of accessible technology. Join hosts Joel, Jessica and Rachel as they discuss new laptops, navigational aids for the blind and of course their Cool Picks of the week. It's another jam-packed show that can't be missed. Topics This Week Include the Following New Laptops from Microsoft Is Microsoft and the Narrator screenreader ready for prime time on the new Windows 10S operating system? Check out what the team has to say and how it may affect you. Boosting Smart City Inclusion Is your city ready to become a smart city? Find out how steps are being made to ensure that no one with a disability is left behind when city managers decide its time to upgrade. Touchable Tablets Could Guide the Blind New magnetic technology is providing a portable navigational aid for the blind. Find out who is creating this device and how you can use it for traveling. Cool Picks This Week Include Google Play Music Jessica is loving the variety of music she has available to listen to just by saying "ok Google" on her Google Home Speaker. If carrying too many cables for your devices is a problem for you, check out Rachel's Cool Pick this week. It can definitely help you stream line your life or at the least, untangle it a bit. Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper Who says that you can't have popcorn at home that tastes just like at the movies? Joel shows off a very accessible stove top popper that can help you get that movie experience at home.

This week Jessica, Joel, and Hugo drop some knowledge in their latest Cool Picks! Cool Picks: * NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop with 10.5" Fry Pan, Black Talking Typer by American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Rockville studio monitor speakers

In this exciting Spotlight Interview, James Oates sits down with Andrew Lahart, the head of accessibility, enablement, and competency at IBM, to talk about: * Accessible Olli, the first fully accessible self-driving vehicle created by Local Motors, the CTA Foundation, and IBM Research * MERA, a Multi-Purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant * NavCog, an indoor/outdoor navigation system for the blind * AccProbe, an open-source project for developers to make sure their applications are accessible for people who are using assistive technology Enjoy listening to Drew’s explanations of IBM’s tremendous accomplishments, and what they are planning for the future. Follow Drew and IBM Accessibility on Twitter, and bookmark IBM’s accessibility webpage.