“Alexa is Amazon’s voice service and the brain behind millions of devices including Amazon Echo. Alexa provides capabilities, or skills, that enable customers to create a more personalized experience. There are now more than 10,000 skills from companies like Starbucks, Uber, and Capital One as well as innovative designers and developers.”

And now Serotek Corp is proud to announce it too is a part of the growing base of Alexa skills developers, because why swipe this way and that when you could just tell your device to play your favorite Sero audio content?

Here’s how you do it:

• Enable the Skill in your Alexa app
• Tell Alexa to “Start Sero.”
• Alexa will ask you to link your account.
• Return to the Alexa app and link your app.

That’s it!

The Alexa Skill is currently free for all current Sero subscribers. This offer will not last forever though, so please give it a test drive, see what you think, and if you like what you hear, tell your friends about it!

That’s really no shocker though, right? Look around the access technology industry and identify just one company who charges less for comparable products.

At the end of this tax season, we want to continue the tradition. We understand Uncle Sam took his bite out of your checkbook, so let’s explore a new means of saving money for the entertainment you love and enjoy on the mobile device of your choosing.

Starting today, we’re going to release new single-platform subscription packages for Sero. Each subscription package will be $6.00 per month (or $5.99, depending on the app store.) These new subscription plans can be purchased within your app. We’re doing single-platform subscriptions for:

• iOS/tvOS (which count as one platform)
• Mac
• Android
• Amazon Fire OS
• Windows

Stay tuned for the availability of another platform option in the very near future…

So what will you get?

These new subscription packages include the content and community features you’ve come to love of the Sero experience. This means, among other top selling features, the ability to download your favorite movies, TV series, podcasts, and other content for offline binge listening at home, on your commute, or where ever your travels may take you. Internet availability does not have to factor into your audio leisure.

These new subscription packages will not include email, remote access, or the Media Library. For the full experience you may continue using your current subscription plan. We understand flexibility and want you to pay only for what you desire of your Sero experience.

Take the Break!

So, what do you say? For less than the price of a fast food meal, you can count on a month’s worth of information and entertainment in the most accessible means possible, all from the convenience of your favorite mobile platform!

Are you interested? Go ahead and visit your app store now and seize this competitive promotion for new and existing customers!

If you are indeed a new customer, here are direct links to the respective app stores where the package is currently supported:

• iOS and Apple TV
• Mac
• Android
• Amazon Fire OS

Helpful Hints

On iOS, open the App Store and select the Updates tab at the bottom of
the screen. If an update is available for Sero, install it. Otherwise, make sure it’s at least version 3.1.2.

Similarly, on Mac, open the App Store and select the Updates tab at the top of the window. If an update is available for Sero, install it. Otherwise, make sure it’s on at least version 2.1.1.

On Android, open the Google Play Store, activate the “Show Navigation Drawer” in the upper left corner of the screen (below the status bar), and choose “My Apps and Games”. If an update is available for Sero, install it.

And for Amazon Fire OS devices, or Android devices using the Amazon App store: Open the App store app, activate the Left Navigation Toggle at the upper left corner of the screen (below the status bar), choose “My Apps”, then select the Updates tab. If an update is available for Sero, install it.

Questions? Concerns? Leave them in the comments, or get in touch with our very helpful customer service!

Giving us your rating is as easy as pressing one button. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have the option to write a review as well. And don’t forget that you can share your favorite content on social networks, by email, or even in a text message if you’re running Sero on your smartphone.

Ratings and reviews are available now on Windows, Mac, iOS, Apple TV, and Android. Unfortunately it is not currently practical to write a review on the Apple TV, so instead, Sero will send you an email that you can open on your computer or mobile device to write a review.

So when you listen to something on Sero, whether you loved it, hated it, or just lost interest, please tell your community what you thought, by giving us your rating and writing a review.

How about this: Spend whatever quantity you want on a Serotek gift certificate, and we will fully match your amount. If you want a one hundred-dollar gift certificate, Serotek will give you another gift certificate of equal value. That would mean two hundred dollars toward the purchase of our popular document scanning app, our intuitive screen reading solution, a subscription to our growing feature set of the Sero app, or a combination of all three!

It just doesn’t make sense to give you only a fraction of your return. We want to double your spending power, but this deal is only good on Black Friday, from midnight to 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The inventory is unlimmited. You just need to seize it!

Are you interested in maximizing your hard-earned money? Yeah, we thought you might be, so click right now to take advantage of this rare promotion!

In the meantime, we bring you the first in a series of articles exploring recent developments in mainstream technology.

Earlier this week, Microsoft released the long-awaited Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Among the most prominent features in this update are several major improvements to the Edge web browser. The Edge development team recently published a blog post describing these improvements. Among other things, that post states:

While we at Serotek appreciate the considerable improvements that the Edge team has made in accessibility since the original release of Windows 10, we must emphatically insist that the claim quoted above is, at the very least, misleading. In our opinion as assistive technology developers, the only way that claim can be considered true is if the word “we” in that sentence refers strictly to the Edge team, and not to Microsoft in general. That’s because in practice, the accessibility of even the new and improved Edge is a significant regression compared to what we always had in Internet Explorer, and even compared to Firefox and Chrome.

There are two main problems: Edge does not give assistive technologies a way to access the raw Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page, which we need in order to fill in gaps in website accessibility. Further, the speed that we can achieve in Edge is hobbled in comparison to all other browsers on Windows.

First, in both Internet Explorer and the Windows version of Firefox, screen readers have always had a way to access the raw Document Object Model of a Web page. This is the browser’s internal representation of the HTML code that makes up a page. This level of access allows all screen readers to provide various features that can fill in the gaps when a website isn’t perfectly accessible out of the box. For example, Serotek has long been known for its C-SAW (Community-Supported Accessible Web) feature, which lets users provide labels for graphics and form fields that aren’t labeled by the website developer. We are also able to implement our own website-specific work-around for accessibility problems, such as when a button or link isn’t properly marked up but just appears as plain text, or when a site doesn’t properly indicate that part of the user interface is currently invisible. Even very popular sites such as Amazon.com and PayPal still have problems like these sometimes.

At Serotek, we’ve always believed that, to the extent possible, we should make our own accessibility, rather than wait for it to be served to us on a silver platter. But to do this, we need some help from the browser. And so far, the Edge team has not provided the level of raw access to a Web page that we need to fill in website accessibility gaps as we do in other browsers. Instead, the Edge team has apparently taken the position that its only job is to provide access to websites that already do everything right in terms of following the accessibility standards. In this respect, the Edge team has done a great job, and Edge’s perfect score from the HTML5Accessibility browser benchmark reflects that. But real websites, even from large companies such as Microsoft itself, do not always properly implement the latest accessibility features of ARIA and HTML5. It’s our job as assistive technology developers to make up for these real-world shortcomings, and so far, Edge doesn’t let us do that job nearly as well as other browsers.

That’s not the only problem. One of the most touted features of Edge is its speed. However, when it comes to accessibility, the speed that any full-featured screen reader can achieve in Edge is hobbled in comparison to all other browsers on Windows. Historically, all full-featured Windows screen readers have provided access to browsers by running some of their code directly inside the browser. Basically, the screen reader gets right inside the browser’s space, and can then access all of the available information about a web page with very low overhead. But now, as part of Edge’s stringent approach to security, Microsoft has decided that screen readers and other assistive technologies must stay out of the browser, only communicating with it from a distance. We don’t have a problem with this limitation in and of itself, but it means that the mechanism that the screen reader uses to get information from the browser needs to be carefully designed for maximum efficiency, and so far, Microsoft has not done this consistently. With Edge, it’s like we’re sucking information through a straw, whereas before, we were gulping from the fire hose. Again, it’s possible for Microsoft to solve this problem without backing down on security, which is also important, but that hasn’t happened yet.

We have provided feedback to Microsoft on both of these problems. Microsoft has been receptive to this feedback, and we look forward to working closely with the appropriate development teams on further improvements. But for now, we believe these regressions are so significant that we cannot provide a level of access to Edge that we consider usable, let alone enjoyable.

Note that Serotek is not the only assistive technology developer to take this position with regard to Microsoft Edge. The following statement is transcribed from the latest podcast from Freedom Scientific:

We are in full agreement with Freedom Scientific on this point.

We recognize that Internet Explorer’s days as a top-tier browser are numbered. That is why we are working on significant improvements in our access to Firefox and Chrome. We are committed to providing first-rate access to modern browsers. But Edge still has such serious limitations that we believe our time is best spent elsewhere. We look forward to a time when we can provide excellent Web access through Edge as well as all other modern browsers.

Questions? Opinions? Please feel free to share your comment!

Here are a few highlights to date and some notes on future plans:

Thanks to your helpful feedback, we have improved the voice chat user experience, especially on iOS. Sero now announces when people enter or leave a chat room, and automatically reads new text chat messages. You can turn these announcements on or off on a per-computer or per-device basis. And on iOS, you no longer have to tap and hold a button to talk if you’re not wearing a headset. Instead, Sero uses your iOS device’s built-in echo cancellation capabilities to make sure that people don’t hear themselves echo. We also added support for Bluetooth headsets on iOS. Note that we have not yet brought these enhancements to Android. Please accept our apologies for the delay, but we will change this very soon.

You’ve asked for better navigation. We’ve made it easier to get around various parts of the network, such as forums, bookmarks, and your newspaper, especially on mobile devices. In particular, the Back button now consistently behaves the way it’s supposed to.

Also in support of better navigation, we’ve been working on a much-improved search feature for content within Sero. About a week ago, we rolled out the first phase of this highly requested feature. When you search for content, Sero will now do a much better job of showing the most relevant search results at the top, and your searches will often finish faster as well. Now we’re just about ready to roll out the second phase of our work on search. On all platforms, the search box will now be on the same screen as the list you’re currently looking at, and search results will automatically be filled in as you type your query. We believe these improvements will make it much easier to find the content you’re looking for within Sero.

Of course, we’ve also implemented many smaller improvements and bug fixes. For example, on Windows, you no longer lose your place on the home screen when it periodically refreshes. Also, the home screen and other list views now automatically refresh when they receive focus. For example, if you read and delete your new email, then come back to the home screen, the number of new messages at the top will update to reflect this change.

And we’re not done yet. As we mentioned above, we will soon be enhancing voice chat on Android. After that, we’ll improve downloading of content to your PC or device; in particular, we’ll make it easy to download content in the background while you move on to other tasks. We’ll also add the ability to post voice messages to the forums on all platforms that let third-party apps use a microphone; that means all platforms except Apple TV.

We know that you love all of the great content available within Sero, and we want to make it easy for you to share the love. So we’re going to add the ability to rate and review content, share it on social networks, and follow your friends’ ratings and reviews. We’ll also make it easy for you to keep tabs on your favorite described TV shows, so you’ll never miss a new season or episode again.

We realize that for Windows users, one of the most controversial changes that comes with Sero is the death of the SAMNet browser. Unfortunately, it’s just not feasible for us to maintain our own browser anymore, and it doesn’t really make sense for us to do so, with all of the great options available these days. We realize that not all of these options work well with our System Access screen reader just yet. In particular, we’re going to be enhancing support for Firefox and Chrome within System Access. And once Microsoft has finished adding the necessary accessibility support to the Edge browser on Windows 10, we will fully support it within System Access. While the SAMNet browser that you’ve known and loved for years will be going away, you will have some great new options to take its place.

Of course, we’ll continue to polish the Sero app and fix bugs as we prepare to move it out of beta. Your feedback will help us make Sero the best that it can be across all of the platforms we support.

Think that’s it? Hold on, sit still a moment longer.

You see, even after Sero comes out of beta, we have big plans for the future of this app. The word “Sero” means connected, and we want Sero to keep you connected to all aspects of your life. For us, one of the most exciting developments in recent years is that after decades of being the sole province of geeks, home automation is now finally ready for the everyday person. We think we can make it even easier for you to take advantage of all of the exciting possibilities for more independent living that home automation has to offer. Our work on home automation is still in the research and early development phase, but we are confident that with Sero, we’ll be able to bring easy home automation to whatever platform or platforms you use. Stay tuned! This is only the beginning.

But, right now, the best thing you can do to help move this project along is to jump into the beta program and get your friends to do the same! The more people we can get to kick the tires, the smoother the ride for everyone involved. We’re fast approaching the maximum number of available seats for the beta program, so please don’t assume you’ll have time to check things out later. Right now is the time to get in there and enjoy all the features of the Sero ecosystem absolutely free!

We’re calling it Sero. On the surface, it’s going to be a universal experience that will bring together our software services under a single app. “Sero,” after all, means “connected,” so it only made sense to develop an interface that will keep you connected across different platforms. It’s the first time in assistive technology history that users can enjoy a consistent user experience regardless of whether you’re on Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV.

The move to a single app means a great foundation for upward mobility. We can now deploy faster updates across the board. It means voice chat and text chat at home on your computer or on the road via your smartphone. It means the ability to download content from our ever expanding library, starting a movie on your Mac or PC and finishing it up on your tablet. You’ll be able to better rate, share, and favorite the content you want and lots more!

Yes, there will be some changes. For one thing, you’ll note we have done away with the System Access Browser. We’re no longer exclusive to Internet Explorer. Sero makes room for the kind of choices everyone else enjoys at their keyboard, but the intuitive nature of DocuScan Plus, System Access, and the former SAMNet will not be lost. Experts and novices alike will be able to immediately learn and leverage all the tools you’ve come to love and rely on for work and personal leisure.

We’re very excited about this step in our development. We think it has a lot of promise and is one more sign that times for the traditional assistive technology industry really have changed.

And, we would love for you to be a part of the final stretch of the development. We want you to be a beta tester. You’ll be among the first to kick the tires on our new universal app, and as long as you’re a participant in the beta program, you’re going to be able to enjoy all our services completely free of charge, but please sign up now because there is a limited number of seats to hand out. Please note the beta program will launch Sunday, May 8.

Ready? Join us in this next chapter of our persistent growth!

Blindfold Games creates iPhone, iPad and iPod audio games for the visually impaired community.  They’ve built over 20 games, including Blindfold Bowling, Blindfold Dominoes, Blindfold Solitaire, Blindfold Pong and Blindfold Air Hockey to name just a few.

To enter the give-away, send an email to xmas@blindfoldgames.org. 

You need to send an email each day you want to participate, and tell us which game you want to win.  You’ll get that game, and coupons for all the upgrades and unlimited use that the game offers.

Happy Holidays

Or, if you’d rather read about some of our changes, here’s a breakdown:

Windows 10

It’s clear by now that although Windows 10 attempts to make Windows 7 users feel at ease with the return of the Start menu, the new operating system unapologetically builds on the foundation that Microsoft laid with Windows 8. The cornerstone of this foundation is an application platform and user interface style that has gone by many names. It was once called Metro. Microsoft later referred to apps based on this technology as “Windows Store apps”. We have often called them “modern apps”. Microsoft currently prefers the name “Universal Windows Platform”. Whatever you call it, it’s even more pervasive in Windows 10, from the moment you enter your password on the Windows sign-in screen.
You’ll also find the new style of user interface in the Action Center, where you can review and respond to notifications, and in the Settings app, which is the modern equivalent of the Control Panel. Even the Start menu, meant to entice Windows 7 users, is based on the newer user interface style. And of course, you’ll find it in the Windows Store and the apps that you can download from there.

So what does this mean for screen reader users? Naturally, that depends on the screen reader. In our opinion, other screen readers have done the bare minimum to make the Windows modern UI accessible, but they haven’t made it truly usable. For the most part, they’ll just read whatever control has the keyboard focus, and leave it to the user to use screen review commands to figure out the context. We knew we could do better.
We still believe in providing the best automatic access possible, rather than forcing the user to use stick shift, so to speak. So in many parts of Windows, such as the sign-in screen and the Settings app, you’ll find that System Access reads much more automatically than other screen readers. Of course, our automatic access isn’t perfect, and we plan to keep improving it. And there are other little touches that you’ll find along the way; for example, when you talk to the new Cortana app in Windows 10, System Access will stay quiet, so Cortana can listen to what you have to say.

But beyond simply presenting more information automatically, we believe we can provide a fundamentally better user experience in the Windows modern UI than any screen reader has attempted so far. That brings us to the next thing we want to talk about.

Webify

One of the most unquestioned assumptions of Windows screen readers has been that they should mostly leave keyboard navigation up to the applications and the operating system. After all, Windows has always made it possible to move through all of the controls in a user interface by pressing Tab and Shift+Tab. But what happens when keyboard navigation is an afterthought, as it so often is in mainstream apps? What happens when application user interfaces become more like web pages, freely mixing content and UI controls? Must we use clunky screen review commands to explore and understand these apps? Fortunately, a better way has been right under our noses all along, especially for those of us who live in the SAMNet browser.

If you’re a frequent user of SAMNet on Windows, or even if you simply do a lot of web browsing with System Access, then you’ve probably come to love the way that we provide access to web pages. Like other screen readers, System Access lets you move through a web page with the arrow keys, as if you were moving through a document in Notepad or Word. But we’ve always taken it a step further. System Access has no special mode for filling out forms. We’ve always believed that making such a distinction between browsing a web page and filling out a form is unnecessary and clunky. And it seems that our users agree; people tell us that our approach to browsing web pages is smoother than anything they’ve experienced with other screen readers.

While we were working with Windows 10, it occurred to us that there’s no reason why native applications couldn’t work the same way. Why should it matter to a user whether something is a web page or an application?
After all, modern Windows apps are a lot like web pages in the way they freely mix content with user interface controls. Often they even include things called links, like a web page. So why shouldn’t you be able to navigate these apps like a web page?

Now, with System Access, you can do just that. We call this innovative new feature “Webify”. It starts with modern apps in Windows 8 and up.
Whenever you’re in one of these apps, you can navigate it like a web page. This means you no longer have to use clunky screen review commands to explore an app; just arrow through it. In some places we can even detect headings, so you can jump around with H and Shift+H. Other quick navigation commands also apply. Want to get to the next button on the screen, without laboriously tabbing through everything else in between?
Just press B. Of course, just as with a web page, System Access will automatically recognize when you’re in an edit box, so you can just type; there’s no switching between modes.

We’re using Windows modern apps as the initial proving ground for this concept, but we believe it can be applied much more widely. You may have already noticed that by default, System Access now webifies the Windows task bar. We recognize that you might prefer the old way of navigating the task bar, so you can choose not to webify it. But we encourage you to try it and let it grow on you. And we look forward to extending our Webify technology even further. For example, the Ribbon in Microsoft Office has long been a source of confusion. But just wait until we webify it within the next few months; we believe that will make it easier than ever to explore all that Microsoft Office has to offer. As a preview, you will soon have the option to webify the Ribbon in WordPad.
And of course, we welcome your feedback on other aspects of Windows and popular applications that can benefit from being webified. Ultimately, we want you to be able to learn just one way to use your computer, and have it just work everywhere.

Windows 10’s rough edges

In some ways, Windows 10 is even bolder than Windows 8 was. A case in point is Windows 10’s new web browser, Microsoft Edge. Edge is a drastic change from Internet Explorer, and this level of change was bound to impact users of screen readers and other assistive technologies. System Access has some experimental support for Edge, but it’s nowhere near ready for everyday use yet. Like other third-party screen reader developers, we are still waiting for Edge’s accessibility support to mature. According to a blog post from the Edge team late last month, Edge’s accessibility support is still “getting to good”. Microsoft continues to recommend that users of third-party screen readers use Internet Explorer for now. Naturally, we agree with that recommendation.

So what happened? Why isn’t Edge ready to use with third-party screen readers, despite the long preview period for Windows 10? Naturally, we can’t speak for other assistive technology developers. But we at Serotek were surprised by just how completely the Microsoft Edge team broke with the legacy of Internet Explorer, particularly when it comes to accessibility. For as long as we’ve been in the screen reader business, our methods of accessing content in Internet Explorer, via Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) and the Document Object Model (DOM) interface, have been more or less unchanged. But Edge throws all of that out and introduces a brand new way of accessing web pages, based on Microsoft’s newer UI Automation (UIA) interface. This level of “out with the old, in with the new” is unprecedented in our experience; even the infamous Windows Vista didn’t change anything this drastically.

Naturally, the brand new accessibility implementation in Edge isn’t perfect. We have provided our feedback to Microsoft, and we will continue to do so as Edge’s accessibility support matures. When it’s ready, we will fully embrace Edge as the preferred web browser for Windows 10. We look forward to the day when Serotek users can benefit from the excellent work that the Edge team has done to produce a modern, standards-compliant, secure, and fast web browser for Windows.

The impact of Edge extends beyond the Edge web browser itself. For example, the Cortana app uses the Edge browsing engine to display search results and other information. Some other apps, such as Groove Music, are also based on Edge. As Edge’s accessibility and System Access’s support for Edge improve, access to these other applications will improve as well.

There are some other aspects of Windows 10 that are brand new and not yet usable with System Access and other third-party screen readers. For example, the Mail app in Windows 10 is not yet accessible. Stay tuned for future developments on that front as well.

In short, Windows 10 brings dramatic changes on many fronts, and like the operating system itself, accessibility on Windows 10 is still a work in progress. We at Serotek look forward to continued improvements in the accessibility of Windows 10, and we will take full advantage of Microsoft’s ongoing work to provide the best possible user experience on this exciting new operating system.

Sero, the future of SAMNet and iBlink Radio

Of course, we realize that today’s online world is a lot bigger than Windows. People expect to access their favorite content, social networks, and services wherever they are, whether on the go with a smartphone, around the house with a tablet, or while sitting in front of the TV. Our slogan, “accessibility anywhere”, is just an empty phrase unless we embrace these platforms too.

We were quick to recognize the importance of these newer platforms. When Apple took the unprecedented step of adding built-in accessibility to the iPhone in 2009, we jumped at the chance to bring some of our content to this exciting new platform, and iBlink Radio was the first iOS app to cater specifically to the blind community. We later expanded iBlink Radio to provide access to much of the content on SAMNet. Today, in addition to iOS, iBlink Radio is available for Android, Amazon Fire OS, and the Mac.

However, we realize that the level of access to our content, community, and services has become inconsistent across platforms. Some important aspects of SAMNet, such as voice chat, remain exclusive to Windows, while others, such as the forums, are currently unavailable on Android.
We also recognize that our branding is confusing. What is the System Access Mobile Network, and what exactly does it have to do with System Access the screen reader? And why is SAMNet buried in the iBlink Radio app?

We know you like things to be simple, and so do we. That’s why we’re unifying our content and services under one app and one name across all platforms. We call it Sero, which means “connected”. The Sero app will give you a consistent interface to all of the content and services that you love from iBlink Radio and SAMNet, across Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac. Yes, this means that voice chat, along with voice messages on the forums, will be coming to iOS, Android, and Mac. You will no longer have to be chained to your computer to hang out with your friends in our popular voice chat rooms.

Of course, there are always new platforms and devices on the horizon.
For example, you can find the iBlink Radio app on the fourth-generation Apple TV. When we release Sero, it will be available on the Apple TV at the same time that we release it for the other platforms. Note that there will be some limitations in Sero for Apple TV; for example, third-party apps don’t currently have access to the microphone in the Apple TV remote, so there will be no voice chat on the Apple TV. But we will bring as much of Sero as we can to this exciting new platform. And when Amazon eventually sees fit to make their Fire TV devices accessible, Sero will be there as well.

In short, Sero will take accessibility anywhere to a whole new level. On your computer, on your tablet, on TV and on the road, Serotek continues to evolve right alongside your personal needs.

For current customers, we appreciate you sticking with us through these exciting changes. For prospective customers, what are you waiting for to jump in and try us out for yourself?

Peak your interest a little? Well, suffice to say we are coming out with our own take on the Windows 10 experience. Why should you spend time stumbling about the intricacies of a new operating system, when you could…Oh, but we are getting ahead of ourselves.

You know, one thing we’ve always been proud of at Serotek is the way we’ve pushed the envelope on our slogan, accessibility anywhere. For our team it’s never been just another cute tagline. It’s been the centerpiece of our innovation, as early as the release of the iBlink Radio app, and now, with all the competing platforms and ecosystems, it’s even more important to meet you on the device and operating system that suits your lifestyle. And, why not introduce a few new features along the way? So, we are going to…

I know, that’s getting annoying, isn’t it?

Well, tell you what, why not join us Monday, November 16 at 8:00 PM over on Accessible World’s TekTalk. Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell will be on hand to discuss some upcoming announcements you won’t want to miss!

Again, we’ll see you Monday, November 16 at 8PM Eastern. Follow this link to tune in:

http://accessibleworld.org/announcements/1889

What is DocuScan Plus?

DocuScan Plus, or DSP, is your affordable gateway to the written word. There are excellent mobile apps that let you snap pictures of items to read text, and while amazingly convenient, you sometimes need the efficiency of a dedicated computer app to consume books, brochures, bank statements, manuals, and important documents without fretting over camera views and proper angles.

Every technology has a time and place. With DSP, we’ve taken what you know about using a computer and created an intuitive means of converting print to spoken audio. Each upgrade brings a new wave of features and improvements.

Introducing DocuScan Plus V3.0

Is the new upgrade worth it? Well, check out these new features:

• You can count on clearer text results with the help of an updated OCR engine.

  • With the new DSP, it’s possible to grab your favorite bestseller from Bookshare right from within the DSP application.

    • Rely on nimble navigation of large files with better heading detection and place marking.

      • Speaking of large files, launching and navigating PDF files is now a breeze.

        • Want to convert between formats? We heard you, and now you can convert text to DAISY, MP3, or Braille, and store them in the cloud; formats include: .epub, .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .html

          • Now it’s even easier for you to open image files, including: .jpg, .png, .tiff, .gif, .bmp

            • Why launch an OCR application and then open a file when you can open files in DSP directly from Windows Explorer?

              • Do you find yourself switching between Mac and PC? Well, you’ll be pleased to know there’s now better consistency in functionality and UI between the Windows and Mac versions of DSP.

                • Don’t you hate it when other OCR products make you put your screen reader of choice to sleep? We’re partial to System Access, but we know you may disagree so feel free to use DSP in conjunction with the Windows screen reader you prefer.

                  • The new DSP comes with OCR for other languages, including: Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (including Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish

                  Download the Windows installer here.

                  Download the OSX installer here.

                  A Month of Discounts
                  

                  OpenBook and Kurzweil 1000, the other OCR options, cost $995. To each his own. At Serotek we work hard at developing solid performers without breaking the bank. The regular price for DSP is $299, and unlike our competition, we even give you payment options to make our lower price even easier to digest.

                  But, wait; in this month of July, we’re going to sweeten the pot even further.

                  Get your copy of the new DSP for only $249! Ready? Get the installers for your PC or Mac.

                  Can we do better? You betcha! Because you can get the new DSP for only $199 if you also take advantage of our discount on System Access.

                  Through the month of July, get your copy of System Access for only $299. At home, in school, and on the job, System Access is your key to popular applications. System Access Standalone lets you install full versions of the software on two computers. Stay on top of your e-mail inbox. Take control of PowerPoint presentations. Balance spreadsheet records. Read and write comprehensive reports, and navigate the web with the confidence of a seasoned professional. It’s your digital life after all. Own it!

                  In short, you get two great products for $498.

                  Accessibility Really is Anywhere
                  

                  So, let’s recap up to this point. DSP normally costs $299. Right now you can purchase it for $249. If you also want to buy System Access, you can own it now for $299, 25% off the normal price, which also means you can buy DSP for $199. Remember this is only good through July 31.

                  Surely it can’t get better than this? Actually, it can, because you do remember our kitchen sink deal, right?

                  Accessibility Anywhere is the perfect toolkit for a balanced life of work and play on your Windows machine, Mac and iOS devices. Pick and choose from the growing features of a screen reader, an OCR app, and a combined social network and multimedia library to stay on top of your job and special interests no matter where you are.

                  Subscribe to Accessibility Anywhere for $21.95 a month or $240 a year. Remember as part of your subscription, you do not pay separate for the new version of DocuScan Plus V3.0. It’s already a part of your subscription plan!

                  Questions?
                  

                  Leave us a comment or get in touch with our helpful technical support staff.

Serotek proudly announces the first public release candidate for DocuScan Plus V3, a powerful and affordable OCR option with cross-platform support. Before we deem it final, we’d like you to help us kick the tires. You do not have to be a current Serotek customer to participate, but note that certain features may only be available for customers who have pre-ordered the product.

New features

• Updated OCR engine
• OCR for other languages, including: Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (including Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish
• Bookshare integration
• Improved heading detection
• Place marking within large documents
• Ability to import documents in popular text formats so users can convert them to DAISY, MP3, or Braille, and store them in the cloud; formats include: .epub, .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .html
• Ability to open image files, including: .jpg, .png, .tiff, .gif, .bmp
• Ability to open documents in DSP directly from Windows Explorer
• More efficient processing of long PDF documents
• Better consistency in functionality and UI between the Windows and Mac versions
• Better support for third-party screen readers in the Windows version; users can use DSP in conjunction with a third-party screen reader rather than putting the screen reader to sleep.

Install the Release Candidate Now!

The installation process will be intuitive. Remember, you do not need to use System Access as your screen reader for DSP to work. Feel free to stick to your own screen reader on Windows.

Download the Windows Release Candidate here. The RC is a part of our normal Windows installer. Simply choose the correct package at installation.

Download the Mac version here.

Full documentation will be provided upon final release. But, don’t panic. Our products are traditionally designed to be as intuitive as possible, beginning with the installation.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact technical support.

Do you wish it was possible to remotely access your friend’s PC regardless of their choice of screen reader? Or even, gasp, remotely help a sighted friend or family member?

Have you found yourself wishing the solution could be as intuitive as it is affordable?

Since 2007, Remote Incident Manager (RIM) has been a reliable solution for assistive technology trainers and tech support providers seeking to provide assistance computer to computer, and in its latest iteration, remote assistance is easier and more affordable than ever for everyone from the tech know-it-all to the green novice.

We’re rolling out RIM day passes, and here’s how we roll.

For the person offering help:

1. Buy a day pass from us. No sense in shelling out hundreds of dollars if you only need remote access every now and then, right?

2. Download and run a small program on your PC to start the remote session.

3. The program will give you a 9 digit code you will share with that PC user in need.

For the person receiving help:

1. Head over to SeroHelp.com, then download and run a small program to set up the remote connection.

2. When prompted, enter the 9 digit code you got from your techno-savior. Press Enter and presto! You’re connected.

If the computer has to be rebooted, don’t worry; the connection will come back on its own. So no matter how many of those annoying reboots are required while whipping that stubborn PC into submission, you’ll both remain connected through it all. Doesn’t that sound romantic?

RIM is compatible with all major Windows screen readers, on both computers. If you’re helping someone who isn’t running a screen reader, then our very own System Access will run in a special mode where you hear the speech but the other person doesn’t. Yes! This means that it’s now practical for you, a blind computer professional, to remotely help your sighted friends, family, and clients. Aren’t you amazing?

While we know you’re a tech genius, you’ll find helpful instructions all along the way. It’s so easy it doesn’t need any documentation. We do all the magic for you. And besides, why would we want you tearing apart our documentation and telling us how you would have written it differently?

So, the big question is, of course, how much will this all cost? How about five bucks to get someone out of deep doo-doo? But don’t procrastinate on helping your friend or relative with that pesky PC problem, because after 30 days, the price will go up to $14.95. Which still isn’t much money if you’re up the creek without a paddle.

We’re also sharing the love with our loyal RIM subscribers by slashing our subscription prices in half. Now for just $49.95 a month or $499 a year, you can help your friends, family, and customers with those vexing PC problems at any time, or even train someone else to become a tech god, just like you, if that were possible. And if you’re not yet a RIM subscriber, there’s no better time to get started, because now you don’t even have to pay that annoying $199 setup fee anymore. So now you’ll have money for therapy when you just can’t figure out why Aunt Tillie is having so much trouble watching Facebook videos of her grandkids on her 5-year-old PC. Or just buy her a tablet and still have some money left for yourself.

So come on, take a walk on the wild side! If you’re ready to take on the challenge of becoming a one-person PC tech support department, sign up now!

The content team is looking forward to seeing you there!

Let’s start with staff changes. To that end, we’ll begin with your Serotek Communications Director. I oversee the company’s external channels. Hence, the SPN platform and its staff fall under my supervision, an excitingly daunting prospect to be sure. My philosophy for SPN moving forward is pretty straightforward: Recruit the best talent to bring you the best information you can count on.

But, I am boring. Let’s move onto a couple of the people who are the real stars behind this operation.

Derek Lane and Hope Povenmire are Serotek’s new Co-Content Directors. They have quickly become my trusted pilots at the helm, and our highly engaging strategy sessions make me confident you are going to be in really good hands. For everything that goes well, thank them. For anything that goes wrong, blame me.

Derek in His Own Words

My primary hobby and professional work have always dealt in different aspects of audio production. I learned how to run live sound at church–where we run mixes for the house and musicians. My work there exposed me to different microphones and maximizing peoples’ voices with a variety of equipment. When Sound Forge rolled out, I moved my work away from a minidisc recorder and into computers.

I graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a major in communications and an interdisciplinary minor in music. The college experience taught me valuable interviewing techniques, recording styles, and collaboration with different personalities to design optimal products. I enjoy special interests ranging from teaching an audio fundamentals course with the Cisco Academy to audio restoration and Internet broadcasting on such stations as TBRN, where I am joined by Patrick Perdue and other talented personalities.

I am no stranger to SPN. You’re familiar with my work if you’ve been a fan of Triple Click Home and High Contrast, among other imaging products around the Network. In my new role my creativity will be stretched, and while there are moments when it can feel daunting, I am blessed to count on a community so willing to pitch in their assistance. If there is something that is missing that you want to see, let me know. I’ll be monitoring the SAMNet forums, and doing what I can to act on your ideas.

SPN and SAMNet are solid platforms. I can’t wait to work with you to make it stronger and better than ever.

Hope In Her Own Words

I grew up in a small town in Ohio. My family encouraged me to do what I wanted to do and not let my blindness stand in my way. Even though it really scared my mom, she encouraged me to cook on the stove, ride bikes, build tree houses and hit the ski slopes in Vermont.

Music helps me in so many ways. It is my water colors; my clay, my garden. It allows me to create, and, put into music emotions that words alone could never begin to fully express. As long as I can remember, music has been a part of my everyday life. I love playing the piano, the Celtic harp, the accordion, the recorder and really just about anything I can use to produce notes. My attempt at the violin was brief, though at least I was able to calm the screeching cat I initially produced. I enjoy singing, almost as much as I enjoy playing, though I love choral singing and hope to do it again one day.

My interests are pretty diverse. I enjoy cooking. It’s intriguing to combine a number of ordinary ingredients to create something memorable. Maybe that’s why I enjoy the way some authors can string a few words to create awesome plots. I love epic fantasy, thrillers, and yes, even a few well-written Nora Roberts books now and then. I also love to travel; to see new places and experience the way people work within different cultures.

I’m a very curious person. When I learn something, I want to learn as much as I can from it. The same thing can be said for when I take on projects. It’s either all or nothing. If I take on a task for someone, I know that I gave it my best. Those are the attributes I plan on contributing to Serotek and for you, our loyal followers.

Current Momentum

Our guys have been hard at work rebuilding the wonderful platform you know and love.

Over on SAMNet, an awesome feature of the Accessibility Anywhere package, the user forums have been hopping with suggestions we’ve been able to tackle on your behalf. Among other fixes, we’ve improved the organization of the described audio library to better help you find what you’re looking for. We’ve revamped the sound quality where you told us it was lagging. You wanted to see recent listings in television, not just movies. We heard, obeyed, and we’re looking forward to making other improvements to make SAMNet the place you turn to for the best in information and entertainment in the company of good friends.

We’re proud to report the SeroTalk and Triple Click Home Twitter feeds have been reactivated. If you’re not following, now’s a great time to change that!

Our podcast rosters are bringing back a few familiar voices along with some fresh talent. Technology will always be a staple of the SPN brand, but in the New Year we are branching out to other special interests. You said the world does not revolve around Apple and Android. We hear you loud and clear and have recruited talent to meet you at your interests. We will of course continue relying on the combined wizardry of Derek Lane and Patrick Perdue to create that clean, crisp audio landscape you know and love.

Finally, SPN is more than just a digital tapestry for your ears. We’ve already begun recruiting writers to boost our blog for those of you pressed for time or who prefer the written word to the spoken one. We look forward to covering everything from entrepreneurship to product reviews, from current events to financial management. In time we hope for our blog to play a lead in stimulating great debates over hot topics of impact to the community.

So, yeah, you could say we’ve been busy. Things are definitely looking up, and we really want you to be a part of our upward momentum. Stay tuned for regular programming to resume just around the corner. Sign up for our RSS feed or use the e-mail sign-up form below to get regular updates on current happenings.

Spread the word: SPN … has returned!

Join Jamie, Ricky and Joe as they discuss all the top news stories of the week except one. Jamie and Buddy will discuss the big story at the end of the podcast. All other stories covered in this episode include:

A T Talk

NVDA 2014.3 now Available

BlindSquare now supports @transitapp, and this podcast shows how it works

Transit App ~ Now with Citi Bike, Divvy & Capital Bikeshare! on the App Store on iTunes

For blind bus riders, a new app boosts independence

Voiceover Easy Home Page

New iBooks Textbook Helps Visually Impaired Visit the Stars Through Touch and Sound

Low-Cost Refreshable Braille Device Available in 2016

Unachievable or Unwanted: Why Is ACE Opposed to Accessibility Guidelines?

Mainstream Matters

Google Unveils The Cartographer, Its Indoor Mapping Backpack

The Smart Home Is Going To Be A Huge Boon To Accessibility

Samsung announces the Galaxy Note 4 and new Galaxy Note Edge

Twitter CFO says a Facebook-style filtered feed is coming, whether you like it or not

Tim Cook Says Apple to Add Security Alerts for iCloud Users

9 Awesome Features Smartphones Still Don’t Have

Cortana vs. Siri vs. Google Now: An early look at how Cortana stacks up (hands-on)

Roundabout

The never-ending story of FXRadio where only your imagination limits what happens

Read lost Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapter deemed ‘too wild’ to publish

Google’s latest object recognition tech can spot everything in your living room

When Apple launched the original iPhone, there wasn’t anything quite like it. iOS transformed the way that consumers interacted with cell phones, and the App Store unleashed an unprecedented wave of developer creativity. This creativity and ingenuity has lead to leaps forward in accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Independent Living Resource Center Of San Francisco, in partnership with The Serotek Corporation, will be providing live commentary on today’s Apple event.

Please note this is not an in-person event.

Various community leaders including Mike Calvo, Founder of Serotek, Derek Zarda, Assistive Technology Educator, and Jessie Lorenz Executive Director of ILRCSF will be providing commentary on what may be the most accessible version of iOS yet. Please join us today at 1 PM Eastern as we continue the dream of Steve Jobs, who had a vision of a world where technology erases limitations. Live tweeting and bloggers welcome!

Buddy Brannan joins Jamie Pauls and Ricky Enger for this episode of the podcast. Along with the top news of the week including an announcement from Serotek, jamie demonstrates our newly-released version of iBlink Radio for the Mac. Stories covered in this podcast include:

Serotek Announces iBlink Radio for the Mac

Why is Skype forcing a software upgrade on all of us?

GWConnect ends August 4

Free Online Training – Using Skype for Windows Desktop with Window-Eyes

Short Skype course from CAVI

Orbit Research and the Transforming Braille Group Announce Agreement to Produce Low-Cost Refreshable Braille Display

NV Access | Speech Synthesizer Survey 1

Mosen Consulting eBook, “iOS 8 Without the Eye”

Announcing: ChAPPters

Redbox agrees to provide better access for blind customers

Revisiting the “Switch to Android full-time” experiment

Microsoft is finally killing support for old versions of Internet Explorer

4 Reasons Microsoft’s Surface Might Bite the Dust

Windows ‘Threshold’ to drop charms, add virtual desktop

BlackBerry still on shaky ground, but it continues to secure lucrative security clearances

Dial-Up Still a Cash Cow for AOL

Apple, Samsung Agree to End Patent Suits Outside U.S.

Report: Sprint to Drop T-Mobile Bid, CEO | News & Opinion

Roundabout

70 Years of Smokey: The Story of America’s Firefighting Bear

Toddler squeezes through White House fence

With an All-Deaf Wait Staff, New Restaurant Asks Guests to Order in Sign Language

You can also Listen to an audio advertisement for A11Y TV produced by the SeroTalk Podcast Network.

Replay the Accessible Event archive of This Month in Tech for July

About Our Presenters

Mike Arrigo works in the computer field, and provides technical support for church management database software. He loves gadgets of all sorts, but especially computers and smart phones. Aside from that, he enjoys walking, singing, reading and chatting with others. Mike frequently contributes podcasts to various sites regarding Android, iOS, Mac and ChromeBook. Look for his podcasts on The Blind Geek Zone or contact him via E-mail.

Brie Rumery, 43 lives in Jasper, Georgia with her husband Scott, daughter Makayla and their two German shepherd guide dogs. At eight years old, she began losing her sight due to the progressive eye condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa. Ms. Rumery experienced first-hand the frustrations of blindness in regards to education, employment and the lack of affordable access technology. However, her determination to be a self-sufficient, independent member of a sighted society gave her the strength and perseverance to learn how to use assistive technology at a young age, be the only blind individual to graduate with honors from her local technical college and to work for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta for nearly ten years. Currently, Brie is a Junior Partner for Fedora Outlier, LLC — an Atlanta based assistive technology firm that believes in providing top quality, better than excellent consulting, teaching and support for Apple’s iOS devices and computer products for the blind, by the blind. As junior partner for Fedora Outlier, LLC, Ms. Rumery wears many hats and the one she is most proud of is the fact that she is the co-author of the firm’s first book, the Old Hat Guide To iPhone Accessibility which tells the story of how she overcame her fear of using the iPhone and that “if Brie can do it then so can you!”. Another hat that Ms. Rumery has acquired is that of being Public Relations Production Manager/Twitter Moderator for two types of unique interview series known as #AccessChat and Follow Friday (#FF) which are produced and moderated by Ms. Rumery via Fedora Outlier’s Twitter Platform. When she isn’t working hard for Fedora Outlier, LLC you can find her sending tweets via Twitter, emailing friends old and new, writing short stories and poetry, spending time with her family and of course using her iPhone. Brie also loves quotations and mantras and the one she uses on a daily basis is her own: “Just Because You Have Lost Your Sight Does Not Mean You Have Lost Your Vision!” If you would like to learn more about Fedora Outlier, LLC, #AccessChat and #FF, or you would like to personally contact Brie, feel free to do so by sending her E-mail, following her on Twitter, or following Fedora Outlier on Twitter.

Android

How Google just quietly made your Android phone more secure – Computerworld Blog

Seven reasons to buy the new Google Nexus 7

Chromecast isn’t a Roku/Apple TV killer — but at $35, it doesn’t need to be

Mobile Tech

How the new Nexus 7 and iPad Mini compare

Zombies, Run! studio will get you to walk to Scotland in neo-noir thriller The Walk

Apple

Apple ‘completely overhauling’ developer site after intrusion

In the Community

The Seeing Eye GPS app is out!

You can find the Seeing Eye GPS User Guide here:

Kickstarter Campaign: The Bradley Tactile Time Piece

Check out this web-based Smithsonian exhibit on the history of people with disabilities in America

Minneapolis woman creates new way to learn Braille – Pioneer Press

Mor information available in the Braille Monitor:

The Death Of Screen Reader Innovation

Screen Reader Failure: Innovation, Deterioration, Despair

General Tech

Mozilla’s Firefox OS: accessibility to be included

Microsoft readies Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 too, confirming the older OS won’t be left behind–for now

Microsoft releases final version of Office 2010 SP2

Leery about the cloud? Chances are you’ve been using it for years

Join Serotek as we take part in an Access chat via Twitter which takes place on August 6 beginning at 8:00 PM Eastern. The event is sponsored by Fedora Outlier. Use the hash tag #accesschat to participate in the event. You can also follow Fedora Outlier on Twitter.

Join Lisa Salinger on August 19 at 8 PM in the Pat Price Tech Talk Training room over at Accessible World to discuss our exciting new SAMNet Socializer. We look forward to seeing you there.

Do you enjoy our SPN Podcasts? You can help us out a whole lot by taking this very short survey.

We are joined this month by three guests from the UK who will discuss the wide variety of tech that made news during June, 2013. SeroSpectives airs at a special day and time this month. It will take place Wednesday, July 3 at 3:00 Eastern.

The SeroTalk Podcast Network team will be bringing you live coverage from the NFB and ACB conventions, and if you’ve got a particular vendor you’d like us to interview, we want to hear from you. You can post a tweet with the hashtag Sero2013, or you can comment on our Facebook wall to let us know the coverage you’d most like to hear. Whatever your social media platform of choice, we hope you’ll reach out to us using the new Serotek Socializer, with support for Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and a host of instant messaging options. Learn more about the SAMNet Socializer and Accessibility Anywhere, or start your free trial at http://www.satogo.com/.

Convention coverage will begin streaming on SPN Radio on July 4, and will continue through July 13. You can listen to the coverage from SPN Radio on the web, or tune in through iBlink Radio. If you’re going to be on site at the NFB National Convention this year, come and join Joe Steinkamp and Ricky Enger at the Assistive Technology Trainers Division July 3 from 6:30 to 10 PM in Salon 19, level 2. Otherwise, you can listen for your favorite SPN hosts as they tour the exhibit halls for interviews with a wide variety of vendors.

We’d like to give a very special thanks to HIMS, Inc. for sponsoring this year’s SPN convention coverage. Whether you’ll be on site for the conventions this year or attending from the comfort of your home, we wish you a safe and enjoyable convention season.

The Serotek Team

The NFB13 agenda is now available online! Start planning your convention schedule now

Screen Readers at a Crossroads

Huawei Vision with Ray

There has been a significant update to TapTapSee

Introducing the new Socializer from Serotek

A brief tour of the Samnet Socializer

Developer suspects Facebook app is behind iPhone battery drain

Why you should always read the small print from Facebook

Fired Zynga Staff Hits Reddit to Talk Life Before the Massacre

WWDC 2013 Rumor Roundup: iOS 7, OS X 10.9, iRadio, and New Macs

New iRadio Ad Details Surface Ahead of Expected Launch Next Week

Eight changes I want to see in iOS 7 | iPhone

Apple vs. Samsung: It’s Thermonuclear War

HTC bleeding continues: Operations chief reportedly steps down

Microsoft goes public with Windows 8.1 upgrade policies

Amazon plans big expansion of online grocery business

Bose Reveals SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker And QuietComfort 20 In-Ear Headphones With “Aware Mode”

White House defends snooping of Verizon phone records | Security & Privacy

Mailbag

Thanks guys for the shout out. Here’s some info from the guide dog training perspective on taking your dog to an amusement park.

First off, the parks aren’t obligated to watch your dog while you go on the rougher rides so if you want to ride things like roller coasters, you may want to take along a person to serve as the dog holder while you ride. Know your dog before you go is really the key to going to any type of tourist attraction. If you’re going with people who can do sighted guide or if you want to ride a lot of rides and so do the rest of your party, making use of the amusement park kennels is a really sound alternative. Most kennels will require a health certificate which you can get from your vet at home prior to your trip.

So, what rides are safe for dogs? This really depends on your dog and if there’s anything that bothers him or her. Simple rides that just involve a sort of train car moving through things may be fine but there may be loud noises, deep booms, things flying around over your head, virtually or in reality, that can set some dogs off.

As dogs get older they tend to get more sensitized to loud noises and may shake, pant or even try to escape.

Of course any ride you need to wear a restraint on isn’t one that’s safe for your dog. Most general amusement park rides like trains, monorails, trams and such are fine and don’t require seatbelts. They have enough floor space for the dogs to lie down comfortably. This was certainly the case with the Disney World Frontier Land train, the Monorail, the boats on It’s A Small World and the tram on the energy Ride.

Some of the other rides like the dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom might be a little rough for some dogs as the car simulates movement but again, that’s an individual dog decision.

I was told that if we did visit Animal Kingdom and did the Safari train, the dogs must be lying down and could not sit up and watch the animals. That’s fair as these animals might be distracted by the dogs.

One of my dogs hated anything that looked or smelled like a horse and would go into a barking, growling jag upon seeing one. I didn’t test it but suspected that it went for things like elephants and hippos too.

Back to the park trip, you want to make sure your dog is well hydrated. We found many water stations for people and dogs in Disney.

Then there’s the relief issue. Disney has set places for service animals to relieve. They are scattered throughout the parks and any cast member can tell you where the nearest one is. We found several with no problems at all. We also found misting stations for people that sprayed a fine mist of water. We let the dogs walk under these as well and it helped to keep them both cool.

Finally, remember that your dog is going to be working very hard if guiding you through an amusement park. There are people going every direction, most of whom are oblivious to your presence. The dog will be doing a lot of weaving, dodging and stopping. Be sure to praise a lot during the day.

If you’re at a park for multiple days, give your dog a break in the kennels for a half day or so to keep from exhausting him or her.

We were worried about burnt paws too but whatever they pave the Disney grounds with stayed fairly cool. Then of course it rained and that was a moot point. Check your dog’s feet throughout the day to make sure they haven’t gotten burned while standing in line. Now there’s a good excuse to take the short line route.

If you don’t know about the accommodations for a particular park, ask. Most major parks and park chains do have information about service animals and kenneling. Your guide dog school will also most likely have some information or know who to call to get it. If you have questions about your particular dog’s abilities to handle things in an amusement park environment, by all means call your school and talk with the training staff.

I’ve had my dogs in a number of parks and other tourist venues over the years, including a jeep ride in sedona, Arizona that rivaled some roller coasters. Looking back, I might not have taken my then older dog on that one but he faired well, better then me actually.

Just use common sense, don’t get so caught up in the experience that you forget the other living being with you, your dog, and have fun!

Jenine Stanley

Roundabout

Domino’s Pizza testing pizza-delivering drones

Pepsi vending machine takes Facebook love, not money

Do you enjoy our SPN Podcasts? You can help us out a whole lot by taking this very short survey.

SPN is a household name in the realm of digital information and entertainment. People from domestic and international locations dial into our growing base of unbiased and authoritative headline news coverage. SPN works in tandem with iBlink Radio, the world’s largest repository of up-to-date podcast shows, community broadcast, and localized radio reading services for the blind. SPN is the brainchild of Serotek Corp, itself a blind-owned business with intimate familiarity with setting new standards in the world of business development.

Competing advertisement platforms charge a fortune for one-time hits with singular exposure. SPN deploys highly skilled content producers and on-air personalities to cover breaking events across dedicated podcasts and websites. Take advantage of our competitive rate of $50 for an audio spot on your choice of SPN podcasts, or make the aggressive investment of $250 to splash your message across all six SPN broadcasts reaching a growing base of 16,000 monthly subscribers.

Join the platform of industry leaders. Reach the people you need to hear about your services. Act now to secure your place in the dominant game changer taking the web by storm!

For more details, contact our sales department at: 612-246-4818, or send an email to info@serotek.com.

Welcome to this week’s episode of the SeroTalk Podcast. Join Jamie, Ricky and Joe as they discuss the top news stories of the week which include:

Facebook invades Android’s Home

Report: Google Prepping Cheaper Nexus 7 for Summer Release

Countdown clock: Microsoft marches toward its Messenger phase-out

Microsoft’s Windows Blue looks to be named Windows 8.1

SkyDrive app is Microsoft’s ‘new normal’

Amazon extends AutoRip to vinyl records

Amazon Hires Former Windows Phone Exec to Work on ‘Something Secret’

Rumor has it that Apple’s iOS 7 development is delayed

Steve Jobs Shaped Next Two iPhones

Tim Cook’s apology did its job. Apple earns respect in China.

The first call from a cell phone was made 40 years ago today

April Fools’ 2013: From Twttr to Google Nose to Nokia’s microwave

Serotek Introduces TrikeTech For Tots

A BlindBargains Exclusive: Milieu Smartphone for the Blind Community

SeroTalk April Fools Podcast

Dropbox 2.0.4 adds workaround for screen readers

Walmart Expands Program to Provide Talking Prescription Containers

J-Tools will be re-released and will be free!

Rebuttal to Mike Calvo on WSJ Live

Aftershocks

Looking for headphones with a safer open ear design so you can still talk with others around you or hear your environment? Aftershokz Headphones utilize Bone Conduction audio that lets you listen to your favorite tunes, or SeroTalk network podcasts, yet still be able to hear your nearby surroundings. You can get 40% off if you use the promotional code SPN40 at the checkout area on the Aftershokz website just for being a listener of this very podcast!

To learn more about these amazing headphones, and to read about the new Bluez with wireless options, visit Aftershokz.com. You can also catch SPN’s own Mike Calvo, from last year, reviewing a pair of the Aftershocks that he uses in his daily work.

Mailbag

From Jake:

Hello Jamie, Ricky and Joe. I just got through listening to your April Fool’s Day podcast and loved it. I do indeed remember Vocal-Eyes, although I used it a few years prior to 2003 at a Jesuit college I attended which is no longer in existence. Vocal-Eyes was a great screen reader though. I can remember I had an Audapter speech box and how cool it was playing with all the parameters. I cannot remember what make the computer was, but obviously I used DOS. It is indeed amazing to think how far we’ve come in terms of assistive technology. Happy 4/1/13 to Serotek!

Jake

Blog comment: Aleeha Dudley

Wonderful podcast as usual! Let’s see: cn 2003 I was 10 years old and used borrowed computers running Windows XP. I used a Braille N’ Speak in classes and that was the extent of it. I now own a Windows 7 Dell laptop, an iPhone, iPad mini, iPod Shuffle, BrailleNote Apex, BookSense and Brailliant display. Thank you Apple for not staying in the accessibility dark ages. I don’t know what I’d do without my Apple stuff. Once again, a great podcast as always and I look forward to more awesome content from the SeroTalk team!<

Roundabout

Guided By Touch: Indianapolis Museum of Art Tours

Google Glass Early Adopters Want To Build Learning, Healthcare, Accessibility & Safety Apps

Minneapolis, Minnesota

April 1, 2013

Serotek, the leading provider of internet and digital information accessibility software and services, announced its contribution to the ongoing push for the blind to drive independently with the TrikeTech for Tots program. The challenge of developing technology to allow the blind to drive independently has been tackled by such groups as Google and The National Federation of The Blind, each of whom have a different approach to how the task could be accomplished. While both groups are making major strides toward their goal, Serotek feels there has been something fundamental missing from the projects so far.

“As blind adults, we’ve grown up believing we could never drive”, said Mike Cuervo, CEO. “And society believes we can’t drive either. So even when we get the technology right, there’s going to be a cultural bias to overcome. What needs to happen is that blind drivers should know without a doubt that they can drive from a very early age, and the public needs to see lots of blind people driving safely and independently.”

From this forward-thinking philosophy, the TrikeTech for Tots program was born. Serotek has partnered with Radio Flier to produce the self-driving tricycle, allowing blind preschoolers the freedom to drive independently, a freedom long sought after by their adult counterparts.

“At first, I wasn’t sure how I was going to go about doing this,”, said Rusty Mettles, who is perhaps best-known for his work on Serotek’s GTO notetaker.. “All I knew was that kids make me a little uncomfortable. They’re so loud, and most of them don’t even know what a user interface is. We just have nothing to talk to each other about. So when Mr. Cuervo told me I’d be working on this project, my real motivation was to give these kids the power and ability to vacate my vicinity as rapidly as possible.”

That motivation quickly paid off. Before long, Mettles had outfitted the Radio Flier with censors for advanced obstacle detection and avoidance, a smart phone with GPS, and sophisticated software to tie it all together. “With adults, they usually know where they want to go and have the technical know-how to enter that in to a smart phone,”, explained Mettles. “But with kids it’s more complicated. They may know what they want or where they want to go, but how are they going to express that?” Mettles finally settled on voice recognition as the user interface for the tots. He has christened this combination of breakthrough technology Sat-Go … Sat in honor of the satellite technology, and “Go…” is obvious, even to a child. “The kid just mashes the horn on the tricycle, and whatever they say next gets recognized.”, he said. But Mettles didn’t stop there. “I realized that the tone of the voice was at least as important as the words spoken.”, explained Mettles.

With this in mind, he  developed software to analyze the tone of voice and calculate what he calls WQ, or Whininess quotient. “WQ helps us determine what speed to travel. The kid does pedal, but sometimes we provide a little motorized help. If WQ is high, we need to get the kid to their destination as quickly as possible before a full meltdown occurs. But if WQ is low, we can allow the child to pedal themselves and get to the destination at a more leisurely pace.”

To see this technology in action, we took a few moments to observe Debbie Anne Lennox, the preschooler specifically picked by Mr. Mettles to test the device, for reasons known only to him. We asked the young girl what she thought about her new toy. “I wanna go home!”, she shrieked, and with that, the tricycle zoomed away toward her parents’ house, with little Debbie clinging desperately to the handlebars.

Unfortunately, there were some initial problems with the prototype. For while it headed in the direction Debbie Anne specified, it did not go very far.

“It was never designed for indoor environments like my office,” stated a muffled Mettles, while flat on his back. If it were, it would have navigated safely around the large jar that contained my extensive marble collection… All twenty thousand, nine hundred and forty-two of them to be exact. For that matter, it would have also gone around me!” Luckily, Mettles just had the wind knocked out of him, and we believe that the tire tracks across the front of his shirt give it a whimsical appeal that it previously lacked.

The trike did make it safely out of Serotek headquarters, with little Debbie giggling and honking her horn. It was at this point we saw the second serious technical flaw. The sounds of Debbie Anne’s laughter soon turned to anguished wails: “Gotta go! Gotta go! Oh no oh no oh nooooooo!”

We are unsure what caused the TrikeTech to start spinning in frantic circles, resembling a dog chasing its tail. It could be that the technology was unfamiliar with the tone of hysteria in the child’s voice, or it could have something to do with the excessive amount of moisture pooling under the device. “Moisture and technology were never meant to mix!” declared Mettles while fleeing the scene.

Despite it’s setbacks, there has been a vast outpouring of support from an unexpected corner of the blind community. Senior citizens have gotten wind that a new device, the GeriaTrike is being developed to meet their needs.

“If a person has been blind all his or her life,” explained Cuervo, “The idea of driving something as powerful as a car may be too much. Since many sighted seniors bike to keep in shape, we wanted our blind seniors to have the same options.”

I think it’s a lovely idea,” stated Myrtle Shleppenhauser, a long-time customer. “It’s the kind of thing Serotek is so good at… Finding new and exciting ways to bring family together. It will be such fun to go for a ride with my little Granddaughter, Debbie Anne. She’s got her TrikeTech, and I hope to have a GeriaTrike real soon. And best of all, I can attach the collapsible rolling cart for my GTO right to the GeriaTrike, and I’ve got everything I need.”

To learn more about TrikeTech for Tots or the GeriaTrike, send us an email at resources@serotalk.com, comment on our blog, or leave an iReport on iBlink Radio from your Android or iOS device.

Presented by The SeroSpectives Team

It may have been the shortest month of the year, but it certainly was long on tech. Come and hear our guests discuss all the news that had us talking for the month of February.

Here is a link to our 2012 ringtones

Generic Ringtons

Here are links to our 2013 ringtones for those who do not wish to use them on an iPhone:

Blind People Gotta Rock

Here’s Where We Wait for Joe

Naru Naru

iPhone-Friendly Ringtones

Here are links to our 2013 ringtones for those using an iPhone:

Blind People Gotta Rock

Here’s Where We Wait for Joe

Naru Naru

Go here to participate in the live event this Thursday, February 7, beginning at 9 PM Eastern

Speaking of which, we’d love to have you join us, but if you can’t, it’s not the end of the world. An archive will be posted on the SeroTalk blog.

The event takes place this Thursday, January 3 at the special time of 2 PM Eastern. Activate this link to take part in the presentation as it happens or replay the archive once the event is over.

You never quite know what is going to happen during the program, , so join us live if you can.

This year, buy DocuScan Plus for $299, and receive a Cannon CanoScan LiDE110 scanner free. Note: a $15 shipping charge for the scanner will apply. We regret that we cannot ship outside the US for this deal. With DocuScan Plus and your new scanner, you’ll have full access to printed documents and PDF’s at home or on the go. Store your documents in the cloud for easy retrieval from anywhere, and later convert your documents to DAISY, MP3 or BRF. The program works on both windows and Mac, so there’s no need to engage in the ever-popular Mac Versus Windows debate. The LiDE110 scanner is a light and portable USB scanner that’s ready to go the moment you plug it in to any computer. No need to download and install drivers. Just plug in your scanner, open DocuScan Plus from your hard drive or from http://docuscanplus.com/, and you can begin scanning all those holiday letters that are sure to be coming your way. When you’re ready, visit the order page to get started.

If you want DocuScan Plus, and a whole lot more, why not purchase Serotek’s Accessibility Anywhere package for $240 per year. If you do this now, you won’t need to renew your service until January 2014. That means you’ll have two extra months of using  DocuScan Plus, Serotek’s award-winning System Access screen reader, and SAMNet, with access to email, news, thousands of audio-described movies, user’s forums, voice chat and much more. Oh, and SAMNet does have obnoxious Christmas music too, if that’s your thing.

When we say Accessibility Anywhere, we mean it. Use all items in this package from your own computer, or from http://www.SAToGo.com/. If access from a computer just isn’t enough, how about accessing SAMNet from your iOS device? Just download the iBlink Radio app from the app store, log in with your SAMNet credentials, and begin accessing previously scanned documents, streaming radio stations, listening to podcasts and described movies, and even browsing your favorite SAMNet forums. When you’re ready, visit the order page to get started.

Still, Black Friday shopping isn’t just about finding that perfect gift for yourself. Why not give the gift of accessibility this holiday season with a Serotek gift card. You don’t have to brave the holiday crowds to get one. You don’t even have to figure out how to make the gift wrap look pretty. All you need to do is visit http://www.serotek.com/giftcards, and then relax knowing you’ve chosen the perfect gift for that special someone on your list.

Gift cards may be used toward any Serotek product or service.

Wondering how this gift card thing works? Don’t worry. It’s easy! Visit http://www.serotek.com/giftcards to begin. Enter the gift card amount, and then you’ll be taken to PayPal to enter your payment information and complete the purchase. If you don’t have a PayPal account, no problem. You don’t need one to complete the transaction. Once your gift card has been purchased, we’ll send an email to you and your gift card recipient with a coupon code and instructions for using it. When it’s time to place an order, simply visit the order page to get started. When prompted for a coupon code during the ordering process, just enter your gift card code and it will be applied toward your purchase. If the gift card is not used in its entirety for the first purchase, it may be used as many times as necessary to spend all available funds on the card. You may check the amount on your gift card at any time by visiting the Serotek gift cards page and selecting the link to check your balance.

Would you rather purchase your  Serotek products with the assistance of a Serotek representative? Do you want to further discuss our products and services before making a decision? Call us at (612) 246-4818, or toll free at (866) 202-0520, and we’ll be glad to assist you.

Happy holidays from the Serotek team!

Activate this link to join the event live. If you are unable to attend the event as it happens, you may replay the Accessible Event archive of the presentation shortly after the show ends.

Mike Calvo is joined by Ricky Enger and Lisa Salinger to discuss the recent mobile device updates as well as future trends.

Join the event live via Accessible Event Thursday, September 27 beginning at 9 PM Eastern.