This week, Jamie Pauls and Ricky Enger welcome Joe Steinkamp back from his cruise. After Joe and Jamie compare cruise notes, Jamie, Ricky and Joe get down to business and discuss the top news stories of the week including:

ATIA 2012 Coverage coming to iBlink Radio and SAMNet Radio

AT News

2012 New Notetaker from HIMS

Blind Bargains Poll on Note Taker versus Laptop and iPhone

HIMS announces the Braille Edge

Humanware expanding line with new 80 cell Brailliant

Blio on Android now accessible

December 2011 marks the last cassette edition of The Braille Monitor

Hadley Launches New Blinded Veterans Initiative

We next discuss the fact that Serotek’s SAM Vets program is going strong

As a follow up to a December podcast, Lisa’s Security Essentials tutorial: SA now reports tabs instead of buttons.

SamNet participates in SOPA protest

Internet

SOPA Derailed

Zappos.com hacked; 24 million customers affected

Google testing login authentication via QR codes

Going Google-Free: The Best Alternatives to Google Services on the Web

Kurzweil Educational Systems Releases firefly: a Universally Accessible Web-based Literacy Solution

Accessible Firefox on Mac OS X – things are ramping up

Apple

Everything you need to know about the Apple Education Announcement from Gizmodo

Apple integrates Facebook into iOS 5.1?

We next comment on emails and iReports from our listeners.

Round About

Is Stephen Hawking’s voice music to the ears?

Burger chain courts blind diners with sesame seed Braille on buns

Teens Share Passwords As a Form of Intimacy

I wanted to take a moment and share some ideas for Christmas gifts you might want to get for yourself, or for others on your list.

First, I’d like to tell you about the Twelve South PlugBug All-in-One Dual Charger for MacBook and iPad, iPhone, or iPod. The last thing I looked at from the Twelve South people was the fashionable, but not very functional Book-style case for the MacBook Air. This particular product has really hit a home run, and is part of my essential travel gear for the Mac. It replaces the two-prong plug on the Mac-Safe Adapter with a small device that gives you back that outlet, but adds the functionality of a USB port as well. This way, you can charge your Mac and any USB device from only one outlet. At $34.99, you can get it through Amazon and you can support Serotek at the same time. It’s available through Prime, so if you have that service, you can get it in two days.

Those of you who have been listening to me and following the podcast for any amount of time know that I am a self-proclaimed coffee snob. I’ve mentioned a number of espresso makers here, and some have bought them based on my recommendations. I have been using Nespresso products for about the past year, and if you are into Espresso only, which is important to note, the Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker might be the machine for you.

It is Italian-made and uses 19 bars of pressure, and makes superb coffee. When I started with Nespresso, I was using their bigger unit. You put a small, mushroom-shaped capsule in the top of the machine, push a button, and it’s ready in a few minutes. The pixie is great because it’s small enough to put in a suitcase. I bought metal espresso cups which don’t break in transit, and set it up in my hotel room when I travel. So, there is some initial expense, but the using the capsules works out to about 65 cents a shot, which is cheaper and more convenient than finding and frequenting a local coffee shop.

This particular Nespresso model lists for $249, but you can get it refurbished on Amazon for $149. When you have the option of a return policy, I encourage buying refurbished products, especially if you buy lots of electronics. When someone receives and opens a product, then sends it back, the seller has to call it Refurbished or Like New. When they receive the product, they make sure everything is in good condition, and repackage it for sale. There’s not much point in buying some things new, because the moment you take them out of the box, they are worth the amount you would pay for the refurbished item.

You can buy 50 NESPRESSO Capsules Varieties COFFEE for $53.89. The Nespresso coffee is amazing, and comes in intensities all the way from two to ten. Awhile back, they had a specialty coffee with an intensity of twelve! They are wonderful coffees that will keep you up and going all night long.

Because it differs in some ways from the larger, countertop model, the Pixie is great for a blind person. The larger model doesn’t stay hot all the time because it would use far more electricity. So, when you want to use it, you have to press a button until a light comes on and your coffee starts coming out. With the Pixie, you turn on the power, and press the button once. When it’s ready, it starts pushing out your coffee. The Pixie comes with a small variety of flavors, but you’ll be able to sample a larger variety by purchasing the 50-count sampler, where you’ll get five different flavors and intensities.

You can purchase the Nespresso at standard brick and mortar stores, but you will pay higher prices. However, you can only order the capsules online. I like the Nespresso club because they deliver very fast. They are in Florida, so I usually have my order in one day, but people in most other locations receive it after two days. Overall, I am very pleased with the ease of use, as well as the excellent taste of espresso from this maker.

You are welcome to send email to resources@serotalk.com, leave a comment on the Blab Line, at (866) 997-blab or 2522, or send us an iReport on iBlink Radio.

View show notes for SeroSpective: This Month in Assistive Technology for October, 2011.

Listen to A Community Tribute to Steve Jobs

The SeroTalk Podcast network asked our listeners to send us commentary on the passing of Steve Jobs. It is clear that Steve had a tremendous impact on many lives, and we’ve compiled stories submitted to us in remembrance of him from listeners around the world.

Our tribute opens with a never-aired commercial narrated by Steve Jobs called Never Think Different. We then hear from Brad Hodges from The American Foundation For The Blind AFBTech, followed by Rick Harmon of the Blind Geek Zone podcast and web site. Next, Wade Wingler from Easter Seals Crossroads and the Indata Project shares his thoughts about Steve. Then we hear from Randy Rusnak of Accessible Devices followed by Rodney and Erin Edgar of the Tech Access Weekly podcast.

Listeners submitted their thoughts via the iReport feature of iBlink Radio, and we play several of those. Following that, we play the inspiring speech given by Steve Jobs to Stanford graduates in 2005.

Members of the SeroTalk Podcast network share their feelings about Steve. We hear from the hosts of Triple Click Home, and then from Mike Calvo, Michael Lauf, Ricky Enger and Joe Steinkamp of the SeroTalk podcast. You can read Mike Calvo’s blog post thanking Steve Jobs and Ricky Enger’s blog post remembering Steve Jobs.

Email Commentary

We received a number of emails from listeners as well. Here they are.

When Steve Jobs helped launch the Apple II, it created the computer accessibility revolution.  Today, the Apple iMac, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch represent the best of built-in accessibility.  It’s very appropriate to celebrate these two landmarks and the seminal contribution of Steve Jobs in ensuring that computers were a tool usable by everyone!

Jim Fruchterman

Steve Jobs was an amazing man with an unforgettable story. His ability to develop Apple from a home project in to one of the most valuable companies in the world and constantly revolutionizing one industry after another was nothing short of miraculous. He had a way of enriching lives through his love of science and art. I owe Steve my utmost gratitude for so much of what I have today: my job, my ability to communicate with the digital world, and my appreciation of science and art as a mutual concept. I am truly saddened at his passing.

Hai Nguyen Ly

From universal access thru Voiceover to the blind girl in the iPhone 4S video. First we were helped, now we’re target consumers. RIP Steve.

Damon Rose

Hello,

Here are a few thoughts about Steve Jobs. As I mentioned this morning, I’m working on an extended blog post that should go up sometime tonight. In the mean time, …

In the past, when asked about my personal heros, I’ve always refused to pick one-half flippantly, half seriously-because I thought I never needed one.

After all, there are so many people from whom I could learn. But the personal turmoil and the sadness of the past 24 hours after Steve Jobs’

death have made me realize how wrong  I have actually been. It is true that, like all blind people, I owe a great personal debt to Steve Jobs for believing in my abilities. That is only incidental however. More important is the fact that, perhaps for the first time ever in this land of technological renaissance, the model that Steve Jobs put together allows a whole community of disabled people to ask all companies to be better -all this without shame and in open-haarted defiance of the conventional wisdom.

Pratik Patel

Dear SeroTalk,

I have been listening to your podcasts for the past few months already and must say that it’s great!

I am a visually impaired student who has learnt the code of Braille and live up in the cold province of Manitoba, Canada and have thought that I could contribute some insight of how a blind and visually impaired individual can benifit from using the Apple iPad.

A year ago I was not an Apple fan. I stuck with my Zoom Text and that was that, but have purchased an iPad last year and have found it to be better for a visually impaired person such as my self to use than a laptop or desktop PC.

This is because of VoiceOver. I’m aware that some people arn’t that familiar or used to using VoiceOver, but I have done many presentations and have tutored many students of how to do so. I actually got the Manitoba Education Department purchasing iPad’s for their students who are blind and visually impaired!

 As a fond user of the Apple iPad and the VoiceOver and Zoom feature of Apple products, I just wanted to give a shout out for the next 2 podcasts about the iPad, as I know that 2 other podcasts talked about the MacBook Air.

From Michael Mielniczek

I’ve been using Apple products since I was very young. My parents were teachers, so Apple computers were what I grew up with. I remember being so proud of the fact that we had an Apple2gs which had color. I played so many games on that 2gs. Then in the 90′s we got a Macintosh Performa followed by my purple IMac which I took to college. When my vision got bad enough to need a screen reader I abandoned my mac for a PC, but I always hoped I would be able to be a mac user again someday. I got my white macbook in 2009, and my iPhone 3gs in 2010. Apple is the leader in accessibility because they include it in all their products at no extra charge to those of us with disabilities. I think that Steve had a great role in making accessibility a priority, and it seems like with every new product, the accessibility only gets better. Steve Jobs plays a part in my independence, and his contributions to Apple will be missed. I think he led a great life, and I thank him for making a positive impact on the blind community.

Alena Roberts

Hello,

My name is Rammaditya from Indonesia. I am a totally blind, and right now I am working as a journalist, book author, trainer, and private teacher. My website is www.ramaditya.com.

It is probably too late for me to send my condolences to Mr. Steve Jobs, but I believe that this message will reach him and all of you soon.

Just to let people know that living in a developing country like mine is rather difficult compared to others, especially when we talk about assistive technology which is considered to be expensive.

I just want to say thank you to Mr. Steve Jobs that has developed such an awesome accessibility features built into the Apple product.

It is, currently, my best option to cover my assistive technology needs, and it sure cuts down the cost I need to provide myself with helping tools.

Again, it is probably easy for people in America for instance, to be provided with assistive technology, but that condition is not the same over here. Well, Mr. Steve Jobs, I just want to let you know that you have become one of the helping hands for me, and I hope, other blind folks around here can take benefit from what you have done.

To all my new blind friends, this is my first hello, and I hope we can keep in touch.

Regards,

Ramaditya

I am cross-posting this. I did not know Steve Jobs personally. However, I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, both at Apple and elsewhere. My introduction to Apple came in the early 80′s when my parents purchased an AppleII computer for use by anyone and everyone living at home at the time. For those of us who could not see the screen, there was a speech option. Although it didn’t have quite the variety of features contained in today’s speech synthesizers, the Echo speech synthesizer was very good and we enjoyed using it. We had a little program called Textalker, which spoke text that we wrote. We enjoyed showing it off to family and friends who came to visit. There were 3 of us who used it. When my family and I moved to Illinois, an AppleIIGS computer was purchased by the school district. It had an external Cricket speech synthesizer, which sounded almost identical to Echo if not exactly the same. I have since heard the VoiceOver screen reader for the Macintosh demonstrated on a number of occasions, and my former roommate grew up on the Mac. He is legally blind and is now a very satisfied VO user. Although there are those who perhaps didn’t agree with Steve Jobs, he was a very forward-thinking man and will be missed. Thank you.

Best wishes,

Jake Joehl, IL 

In podcast 78, Mike Calvo presents part two of four; on the mac Book air, discussing options for cases.

MacBook Air Wallet by Waterfield Designs

McNair Slim Brief by Tumi

Twelve South BookBook Hardback Leather Case for 11-Inch MacBook Air

Twelve South BookBook Hardback Leather Case for 13-Inch MacBook Air

Twelve South BookBook, 13-Inch Distressed Black, Hardback Leather Case for 13-Inch MacBook Pro

Twelve South BookBook Hardback Leather Case for Macbook 15 PRO SD – Black

Twelve South BookBook for iPad and iPad2 in Classic Black Style

Michael LAUF, Ricky enger and Joe Steinkamp discuss these stories:

Demise of Qwitter accessible Twitter client

How to zip around Twitter with keyboard shortcuts

Facebook Announces Major Redesign

Adobe launches Flash Player 11 as key partners move toward HTML 5 and no plugins

Comcast’s $9.99 per Month Internet for low-income families goes nationwide

Bush BHAS03 Australian talking set-top box User Guide in DAISY format

Logitech’s Harmony Link transforms your iOS device or Android phone into a universal remote

Let your voice be heard: Proposed Web and Kiosk access rules

Make Ontario elections fully accessible for October 6 and future elections

What’s New in Jaws 13 Beta

GWMicro Offers New Window-Eyes SMA Options

Which screen reader works best? (If only the answer were so simple)

Qwikster From Netflix: The Worst Product Launch Since New Coke

How to get free library books on your Kindle

Amazon kicks off Kindle library program, Adobe ePub still dominant

Music service Slacker is moving into the sports world through a partnership with ESPN

Hackers Break Browser SSL/TLS Encryption

Google Prepares Fix To Stop SSL/TLS Attacks

Google+ opens to all

CNET complete guide to Google+

Senate Hearing Invesigating Google

Google Wallet NFC mobile payment app launches

Google Wallet: First Impressions

Google pushes impressive new features in Chrome 14 stable build

That Android Show: for all things Android

Apple continues ‘unstoppable’ winning streak in customer satisfaction

Guide to Building a Hackintosh

Mac App Store updated to warn users before re-buying software

Protect yourself from the latest Mac OS X Lion password exploit

Skype admits to iPhone app security problem, releasing a fix soon

iPhone app update from LinkedIn with accessibility improvements

Learn how to get a job & protect your SSI or SSDI benefits at the 9/28 WISE webinar

Disability Employment & US Dept of Labor – Webinar Oct 12

HUD Awards $100 Million to Promote Jobs, Self-Sufficiency & Independent Living

Ben Karpilow, blind attorney & jazz trumpet player. His journey through vision loss

Looking for somebody? Pipl will scour the web for you, with new and updated identity sorting

Can a technology that can let the blind see, also see and record dreams?

31% of U.S. Adults Prefer to Be Reached by Text Message

Read Another Accessibility Slap In The Face by Mike Calvo

or to learn more about an ongoing clinical research study.

Tech Chat 103 covered outdoor activities including boating and fishing with Lawrence Euttenier with

www.BlindFishingBoat.com

plus biking, hiking and camping with Nolan Darilek with

www.TheWordNerd.Info

View Tech Chat 103: The Great Outdoors Via Accessible Event
Listen to MP3 of Tech Chat 103: the Great Outdoors!

world?  Do you sometimes feel the unwanted urge or need to fall asleep

during the day time when you need to be awake?  Do you also find that you

feel just too wide awake to fall or stay asleep during the night time?

If you are blind, this could be due to a real sleep problem related to the lack

of light needed to keep your body’s internal clock in sync.  If you or

someone you know might be affected, please call 1-888-389-7033 or

email info@non24registry.com to learn about an ongoing clinical research study

that is evaluating a new investigational treatment for this type of sleep

problem. When calling, you can also complete a short sleep survey.  You may

be eligible to participate in the clinical trial if you are between 18 and

75 years of age and are totally blind. Volunteers will be compensated for

their participation in the clinical study and will receive study related

medication, medical evaluations, and transportation at no cost.

Visit www.VandaPharma.com for more information!

In Podcast 68, Michael Lauf, Ricky Enger and Joe Steinkamp discussed:

Worrying trend in credit card data security

Microsoft helps stop malware, while Apple blows off malware victims

Facebook Caught Exposing Millions of Credentials

PR Pro’s Guide to Facebook

How To Stay Safe On Facebook and Other Social Networking Sites

Tell Congress to Kill COICA 2.0, Internet Censorship Bill

New bill upgrades unauthorized Internet streaming to a felony

Senate bill would require warrant for e-mail, cloud searches

99 percent of Android phones leak secret account credentials

Google Lobbies Nevada To Allow Self-Driving Cars

Google announces music streaming in beta, movie rentals for Android

access to google’s calendar application available, Well kind of?

Android Has a Voice for Your RSS Feeds

Ten Android features that the iPhone doesn’t have

Petition to google to make android more accessible. sign and retweet

Google I/O: Accessibility and Building things Everyone Can Use

Google I/O.: Accessibility in Android Talk

Google IO 2011 Accessible Interactive Web Apps using HTML5

Google I/O.: Captioning in HTML5

Google I/O.: Accessible Interactive Apps with HTML5

Google I/O: Learn how to build Chrome HTML5 Accessible Apps

Google Access on Twitter

Levelstar featured at Google I.O.

Google’s Chromium Operating system with built-InScreen Reader

Series 5 Chromebook. The future of Netbooks?

Google Chromebook coming June 15, with $20 and $28 student and business monthly subscriptions

Tiny USB stick PC costing only $25 with an HDMI port on one end and a USB port on the other

Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt MacBook Airs coming in June or July

Apple planning easier upgrades for iOS, Mac OS X

Microsoft buys Skype for 8.5 billion!

Call to replace talking Australian set-top boxes

New Text-To-Speech Plugin for Firefox in Linux

Sendero GPS 2011

Humanware Refreshes Portable CD Book Players with Victor Reader Stratus with Future 3G Support

Job Posting: Braille Program Specialist Position At NLS

Portable Handheld Electronic Video Magnifiers Comparison

3 accessible and free Internet radio programs

Mozekty

TapInRadio

Radio? Sure!

Tech Chat 101: authors of Stem Stumper and Accessible Mind Sweeper plus Accessible Games for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

Ricky Enger Hosts Tech Chat 102: Looking Good Equals Feeling Good

Rep. Westrom becomes first blind person to lead a Minnesota state House debate in forum

Foodily recipe search engine: 17,000 bacon recipes, refine by diet or medical condition

Bad News for Owners of Tassimo coffee brewers and users of Starbucks t-disks

Expert tips for solving common sleep problems

Team develops an electric wheelchair that can “see” for its blind user

Listen to SeroTalk Podcast 68: Bacon and Caffeine Together at Last