I know that sounds really drastic but it is true. Why should we care though? Because, fact is, disabled people need the internet.

There are a lot of things that make me want to question all humanity, simply because it seems that common sense is becoming more and more a luxury than anything else today. Why? Today, I read an article that’s just promoting nothing more than false intentions.

I’m on twitter a lot and I read what my followers post a great deal. When I saw the article about the notion that Verizon was fighting against Net Neutrality to benefit the disabled populace, I didn’t have anything clever to say. I didn’t have a retort to utter. I didn’t even have a tweet to formulate in wake of this. Ladies and gents, there’s simply no other word to describe what they are claiming and the propositions that they claim, other than one. It’s a word that fits all, I believe, given this context and the huge array of just false debauchery that Verizon is trying to cook up.

LIES.

If you have not heard about the FCC and their latest plan to destroy the internet do a Google search for FCC and net neutrality. You will get some really interesting articles that basically outline what their new rules will entail.

It’s a proposal that would ban Internet providers from blocking or slowing down access to websites but may let them charge content companies for faster and more reliable delivery of their traffic to users.

It sounds good on paper and in a simple sentence like that. It’s not. I will briefly explain why.

Anything can be abused, including this new law. Internet service providers (ISPs), like Comcast or AT&T—believe that, as providers of internet access, they should be able to distribute bandwidth differently depending on the service.

They’d prefer, for example, to create tiers of internet service that’s more about paying for priority access than for bandwidth speeds. As such, in theory, they could charge high-bandwidth services—like Netflix, for example—extra money, since their service costs more for Comcast to provide to its customers—or they could charge users, like you and me, extra to access Netflix. They can also provide certain services to you at different speeds.

For example, perhaps your ISP might give preferential treatment to Hulu, so it streams Hulu videos quickly and for free, while Netflix is stuck running slowly (or we have to pay extra to access it). If you don’t think that won’t wrack up a huge bill, you are wrong.

How many people use cell phones and access Facebook, twitter, Netflix, ETC. This will affect everything that’s connected to the internet and they can all have a separate charge attached for that device to access websites and content.

This will also affect your tablets, game systems, ANYTHING that is hooked up to the internet. Knowing the USA, those fees can be taxed. enough said.

Imagine that Verizon or AT&T don’t like the idea of Google Voice, because it allows you to send text messages for free using your data connection. Your cellphone carrier could block access to Google Voice from your smartphone so you’re forced to pay for a texting plan from them. Or, they see that a lot of people are using Facebook on their smartphone, so even if they have the bandwidth to carry that traffic, they decide to charge you extra to access Facebook, just because they know it’s in high demand and that they can make a profit.

Obviously this will be great for people who have money spilling outa their pockets and who live in a financial bubble ignorant of the rest of us but I don’t think the FCC remembers that not everyone has money, If this rueling gets past it will ban some disabled people from using the internet. Let’s be real here.

Take SSI. How much is your internet bill per year now and how often do people on SSI rely on the internet and websites that host special content like Facebook, for social collaboration and school websites that often hold YouTube videos, which can have a steep price on it too on top of your internet bill if net neutrality is killed.

People on SSI or even SSDI won’t be able to pay all of that, given the fact that disabled people use the internet more than anything else for more than just socializing. People host teleconferences on Facebook, promote goods on blogs, the list goes on and I should not even have to point these out.

These ISP;s certainly won’t remember that not everyone has money because they want to have the money and they will want to have the money that they think they should have any way that they can get it, including charging people like you and I to use an email provider that isn’t with your default ISP like, for example, if you’re using Comcast and you look at your Gmail. Comcast could charge you to access Gmail even though Gmail is free.

The reason why blind people use Gmail is that it offers a lot of customization. For example, it offers free IMAP and POP3 access to mail clients. Yahoo does not.

This is why I say that Verizon is spewing illogical banter. There’s a stereotype about us Americans that say, frankly, we are greedy.

Verizon and Comcast really want to have this new rueling passed just so they can get more money and the fact that Verizon is using disabled people as a valuable excuse to justify why they want to kill Net Neutrality just so they can have more money really makes me, well, disappointed at my own country.

Hears the claim Verizon makes. Without a fast lane, disabled Americans could get stuck with subpar service as Internet traffic increases.

The issue that’s a constant problem isn’t even about the speed of access but, rather, the simple act of accessing something. I don’t understand how this will help us access something such as a website that isn’t designed to be accessible or obtaining some key information that’s in an accessible element on the inaccessible or partially accessible website. Since the internet often has inaccessible websites, even today, we would just turn to the phone, or, in my case, text one of my minions to look something up for me, adding a winking smiley at the end just because. The issue of speed doesn’t even culminate into a logical fit within this particular claim, if people really knew about screen readers and magnifiers and such. Instead of slower speeds dolling out a subpar service it’s the incomplete and botched content that we cannot access because developers didn’t make whatever accessible.

If there were, indeed, a way for ISPs to create two lanes of internet access, one slow, with costs to use all these demanding sites like Netflix and such, and one fast, combined with services like Facebook, it would ban a lot of disabled people from accessing some very key information all together all because of costs that would be designated by the ISP and then that would be yet another contender blind and visually impaired activists would have to constantly advocate for.

State rehabilitation will not pay for internet as is, and that’s just one monthly cost to access all websites and services. If this were to actually be enforced people with disabilities wouldn’t have access to certain sites at all because of the high costs that will, without a doubt, be determined by the ISP.

This could lead to loss of employment, fewer educational opportunities because this will affect schools too, and overall fewer productivity and would make the unemployment rate for disabled people increase because a lot of disabled people work from home, using many sites and services every day that wouldn’t be able to be accessed because, oh no! The bill is really high!

Speed is not the issue and it infuriates me that Verizon even uses that as a claim. If people know about screen readers, magnifiers, and accessibility issues with software and sites then they will see right through this fallacy. If they don’t know about disabled people and access technology it would be a simple conclusion that would make sense in their minds even though its hugely false, that speed would help us.

Access is an issue but the irony is access would be an even bigger issue, coupled with taxes and stuff, I’m sure, will be added onto these extra speed costs and costs to access content, thereby bridging the disabled homeless and otherwise on an even wider separation all because of money. Access won’t be an issue, it will morph into a barrier, one that will always be up.

This is just for work. Could you only imagine how disabled people wouldn’t have access to sites like twitter, where news is happening all day, every day? Oh my god!I don’t even want to entertain that nightmare.

I just cannot believe that Verizon would even say such a disingenuous thing. It won’t help disabled people at all. It would ban some from even using the internet, even some who are not disabled. I don’t think people who work at these companies know that not everyone works at Verizon or otherwise, but hey, in America, it’s all about the money. It’s all about the money.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the podcast which manages to combine electronics, food and airplanes all into one show. How do Jamie Ricky, Joe and Mailbag manage this? You’ll just have to listen for yourself in order to appreciate the amazing artistry involved! After the news, Mike Bullis, Executive Director of the Image Center of Maryland, talks with Jamie Pauls about the Aging and Disability Skills Gateway, an ambitious new project that endeavors to fundamentally change how people with all types of disabilities obtain knowledge on how to accomplish ordinary and not-so-ordinary tasks. Stories covered in this episode include:

iOS8.1 is here. @AppleVis has the details on what got fixed for VoiceOver users

Emirates innovates with inflight entertainment for the visually impaired

Touchable Memories allows visually impaired to “see”

Magical Gardens for the Blind, Deaf, and Disabled

New Software Lets the Visually Impaired 3D Print a Map To Go

Registration now open for FREE Web Accessibility Training for Developers

Verizon unveils National Accessibility Customer Service (NACS): 888-262-1999

Hospitality, Accessibility and the ADA

Accessibility features on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Nexus 9 hands-on and first impressions

4 Reasons Amazon’s Fire Phone Was a Flop

First major update to Windows 10 Preview, delivered through Windows Update

Why the Mac momentum may just be starting

How to set up and troubleshoot Apple Pay

Apple Pay for Travel: Very Far from Great, or Even Good

Google Is Making Some More Noise About Google Wallet

Roundabout

NASA has a new SoundCloud page FULL of mission, spacecraft, and historic audio…an immensely compelling listen.

ever hear the sound of northern lights?

Unconventional Orchestras and Bone Conduction Headphones

The team takes a look at the new Apple Mac OS, another check in with Rodney on how he likes his new iPhone 6 Plus then a trip into the world of 4k resolution and beyond. All that and Joe gives into Rodney’s insistence with this month’s app review on High Contrast.

Remember, you can keep up with even more Apple news by listening to SPN’s sister show “Triple-click Home”

Or, for even more up to the minute Apple news, check out the Twitter feed for the show at
https://twitter.com/tripleclickhome

App Review: WWE Super Card

Rodney has mentioned this game enough for Joe to grab it and, be it grudgingly, agree that it’s not bad. Not bad at all. The words “collectable”, “card” and “game” are innocent enough. But adding the letters W, W and E might make one pause. Yet, when combined into the title WWE Super Card, the result is really fun for both fans of the WWE and those who like stat based game play found on so many other mobile apps. The fonts are large, however, some might have problems with the colors on the card’s background images. The game is free and playing a round is fast. It’s out now for both Apple and Android. And, like we said above, it isn’t bad.
Find the app on the Apple App Store at
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wwe-supercard/id775402833?mt=8
And on Google Play at
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.catdaddy.cat22&hl=en

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Byron Lee on Twitter

Check out Byron’s LowVisionRants.com Website

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to resources@serotalk.com

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network

using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

Activate this link to sign up for a new account on Audible and get one free book.

Our recommended book for this episode of the podcast is Ready Player One written by Ernest Cline and Narrated by Wil Wheaton.

We thank Audible for sponsoring this episode of the SeroTalk Podcast.

There is lots to cover in this week’s podcast including the top news stories of the week and an interview with Ioannis Verdelis of Fleksy. Stories discussed in this podcast include:

Windows Technical Preview is Microsoft’s Alchemy Moment

Keyboard Shortcuts in the Windows 10 Technical Preview

Bye, Bing: Microsoft’s Windows apps rebranded as MSN

Microsoft starts rolling out its new Office 365 small and mid-size business plans

Google Launches Drive For Education With Unlimited Storage

Android L 5 release date, preview, features & rumours

Facebook apologizes for manipulating news feeds in psychology experiment

Facebook seeks entry into health care

Apple event reportedly set for October 16 with new iPads, Macs

The Complete Newbie’s Guide to iPhone and iOS

Third-party iOS 8 keyboards offer choice, but Apple limits functionality

MBraille 1.0 for Android is out! Features file management, dropbox support, spell check, direct emails,… coming up for iOS also.

HIMS and Diotek Announce Plans to Enhance and Expand Technologies for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Novasentis and HumanWare Join Forces to Bring Radically New Sensory Experiences to the Visually Impaired

Students developing low-cost, portable Braille printer

Introducing ZoomText Remote Training!

Introducing Leasey Advanced!

if your using the qube again, a new feature list is here

Roundabout

13 Things You Never Knew About Pop-Tarts

The Sound So Loud That It Circled the Earth Four Times

Building a monument to wounded warriors

The new iPhones are out and Rodney has the biggest one there is with the 6 Plus. We get an idea of how much he likes it, there is some talk about viewing iOS8 and another timely App Review by Joe. Check in with the team to see if the Pop Tart, or Strudel, sized phone is the way to go if you are a low vision iPhone user. And remember, if you want even more Apple coverage from SPN, check out our sister show “Triple-click Home”.

App Review: Doctor Who Legacy

The new 8th series of Doctor Who is in full swing, Joe adores match 3 games and we needed an app review for this month. So, a perfect storm of events, brings Joe out of the TARDIS to discuss Doctor Who Legacy. It’s a match 3 game with so much depth and complexity that joe notes it will be hard to find other games to replace it on his iPad and Android tablet. The game features special attacks, you defeat famous monsters from the Doctor Who universe and you can pick up that green dot and move it over to be with its friends. Rather than only being able to move a dot in four directions one space over. This freedom of movement is the best part about the game in Joe’s opinion. Its free, however, there are some nice In App purchases for those who want to move through the game faster. The game has over 50 hours of gameplay with more content being added constantly. Just be sure to visit the settings section and change the way the dots are displayed if you find that the default dots are hard to see.

Mailbag:

Byron notes that the High Contrast Mailable is well behaved when looking at it versus its friends on other SPN shows. And that could be due to a full bag of mail for us to talk about. Like these two emails from John.

“Greetings,

This is my first time listening to High Contrast, and I felt compelled to comment.

My story goes back to the dark ages when I was a teenager. I’ll try to be brief. As for my low vision, I have about 20/400 vision with nystagmus.

I had spent 10 years at a school for the blind before going to a public high school my last couple years. At the school for the blind I didn’t learn mobility skills until my last year there. I was given a folding cane, which I carried stuffed in my jeans pocket through my last two years at public school. I always figured I’d pull it out in unfamiliar territory, but I never had the guts to do it because I didn’t want to be identified as blind.

Somehow I made it through my first year of college. It became obvious to me that I needed rehab training. I was in Nebraska then and went to the rehab center, which required I learn under sleepshades. I’m glad I had that training because it’s easier to discern when vision isn’t efficient for a given task. It’s good to know I can use alternative techniques without shame.

Of course, I learned to use a long, white NFB cane, and I’ve used one ever since. By the way, a long , white cane doesn’t glow in the dark or have a red end. When I went back to college for my second year, fresh out of rehab training, a couple of my friends told me I looked much more confident. They said I didn’t look like I was drunk or on drugs. That was a great affirmation.

These days I use a telescoping cane most of the time. I use it in situations where it may not be necessary because I don’t want there to be any question about me being blind. God forbid, if a car hits me on our busy rural highway, I want the driver to know he or she hit a blind person.

However, I do wear glasses with thick lenses, and this may confuse some people. Nonetheless, it’s much easier for me to explain to people that I’m blind with a little usable vision, than it was in the days of my youth when people didn’t know, and I didn’t know what to tell them.

I often get asked how much I can see. I heard a great answer to this, which I sometimes use. I can see more than you think I can, but less than I think I can.

John”

He then wrote us again with this comment…

“Greetings again,

I forgot in my earlier e-mail to tell you a funny incident concerning carrying my long, white cane.

Recently, we were checking into a motel in Cameron, Missouri, on our way to a family reunion. I was standing in a hallway, waiting for our son to come along. A man stopped and asked if I was going to the cattle sale. I simply said that I wasn’t, and he went on his way.

Since this question had been asked of me one other time, I knew what he was referring to. My cane looks like a show stick used in livestock auctions. In fact, later that day at the reunion, one of my sisters commented how my cane looks like a show stick, at which time I told her of the encounter at the motel.

I wonder if other blind folks in rural areas with canes like mine have had this happen.

John”

Our recent talk about sneeze gards brought in this response:

“OMG! the business card dilemma. The person who ordered business cards for us last time did not check with anyone in my office to verify such important things as actual phone numbers. That not withstanding, this person ordered double sided cards, as you see, we have two organizations that we represent.

Great, I put braille on one side and those people interacting with me in my role for Organization A can read and scan the print but Org B can’t.

Then he got the cards on thick glossy stock. The braille business card stamp we have for our office does not work well on heavy, glossy stock. I now have ghost braille on my cards.

This person was sufficiently yelled at by me and others but I have enough of these business cards to last another couple years.

When I got back from conventions this summer, I did a marathon business card scanning session. this was mostly great but there were a few that never did come out right and one that must have had size 2 font as it had so much info on it. Set the scanner resolution high, people.

I also feel for you guys at buffets. I send my husband up for me and he tries but he only has peripheral vision and well, it’s something but he’s not sure what so try it and if it’s good, he’ll try to remember where he got it.

The sneeze guard is an obstacle on the way out too. I once in my partially sighted days had a big old ladle full of lasagna. I was so proud that I’d even gotten it out of the pan. My arm hit the edge of the sneeze guard as I brought it up an rout and I flipped the thing right onto the sneeze guard. Splat! That was my last attempt at buffets solo.

Jenine Stanley”

And here is a great email from long time listener Pam;

“Hello folks,

Excellent topic! Excellent show. Personally, I have just enough vision to get me in trouble. I do carry a cane when crossing the street. I can see traffic lights, however there are enough idiots on the road these days who think their destination is more important than mine, who run them as much as they stop at them. I can think of two instances, both in Tampa Florida that illustrate opposite examples of identification. First let me explain my eye condition is such that is obvious to anyone looking at me. There are those who think I cannot see anything due to the fact I have clouded corneas along with astigmatism in both eyes. I have had subsequent surgery that has rectified the cornea issue to the extent of giving me the vision I have. I also wear cataract lenses due to having had a cataract removed back in the 90s. My first instance allowed me to use the fact that someone did not know what I could see to my benefit. I enrolled my children in preschool, walked back to the bus stop, asked for help across a small street to get to the stoplight; as it was an unfamiliar area. I was wearing a crucifix given to me by my husband as a Christmas gift. The gentleman who walked with me ultimately stole The chain holding that crucifix from me. He mugged me at the bus corner. I was caring a cane, he figured I could see nothing. What he didn’t know is that I had given him a once over when I ask for his help. I was able to give an accurate description to the police therefore allowing the police to find this man through a crack deal he had made selling my chain for $40. It was returned to me by the grace of God. My second instance has to do with being selected for jury duty. I was also caring a cane in that instance it was more inconspicuous. I carry a telescopic collapsible cane that fit nicely across the center zipper of my purse. While in the jury pool, there was a gentleman who I virtually adopted at his consent allowing me to follow him where he went as we were selected for the same pool. In that situation, the judge and both attorneys have a certain amount of excuses they can use without explanation. All that were present knew I could not see well. Ironically the trial on which I served used a video tape as part of the evidence. While in the proceeding, The attorneys pushed it closer to the jury box for me to see. Though I had my cane with me, it was not prominently displayed giving the impression I was totally blind. I have no doubt those who were in charge of picking jurors paid attention to how I acted and my ability to move with a group of people therefore making a judgment on their own as to what I could see. When the whole thing was over, I approached the judge thanking her for allowing me the privilege to serve given the fact she could have excused me without reason. In a normal situation, I use the vision I have as a defense mechanism. I allow someone to know me before I let them know what I can & cannot see. Hope this helps further your topic. Thanks for reading.

Pam Francis”

Thanks everyone for your comments. It keeps the mailbag purring and oh so happy!

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Byron Lee on Twitter

Check out Byron’s LowVisionRants.com Website

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network

using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

Join Jamie, Ricky and Joe for this week’s edition of the podcast where they sip Apple juice and talk about all things iOS 8. If you’re tired of hearing about Apple, never fear; there are other stories in this week’s show as well. After the news, Buddy Brannan visits with Jim Gashel about the new release of the KNFB Reader app for iOS. Stories covered in this week’s podcast include:

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Release of KNFB Reader iPhone App

iOS 8 Adoption Lags Behind Past Upgrades — So Far

What’s New in iOS 8 Accessibility for Blind, Low-Vision, and Deaf-Blind Users

The Accessibility Bugs in iOS 8: From Serious To Minor

Apple Confirms HealthKit Bug, Promises Fix by End of September

BlindSquare: Acapela Voices Temporarily Not Available in iOS 8

Braille Moves Forward in iOS 8

Apple TV updated w/ Beats Music channel, refreshed design, Family Sharing, & iCloud Photos

new Victor Reader 2 Update now live

New audio channel makes fashion accessible for people with disabilities

Fred Gissoni

Code Factory becomes global! Check our new website

New TalkBack for Android released. Check the release notes to see what’s new

New Kindle Voyager docking soon

New Amazon Fire Kids Edition

The 3MT Reader Android app is a simple, intuitive way for blind users to read epub and txt books

Microsoft confirms Windows 9 event for September 30, Technical Preview to follow soon after

The new Ken Burns PBS series, The Roosevelts available on the Web with Audio description

Roundabout

Intel Unveils Connected Wheelchair

The 12-y.o. Hero Behind the Lego-Braille Printer: A Not Impossible Original

Here is a link to SeroTalk Podcast 188 featuring Buddy Brannan’s interview with Shubham Banerjee

The Tough MudderExperience

Join Lisa Salinger and her special guests Chancey Fleet, Jeff Bishop, Joe Steinkamp and Jamie Pauls as they share their observations of this year’s ACB and NFB conventions.

You can also check out SPN’s ACB 2014 and NFB 2014 convention coverage.

Finally, be sure and listen to ACB Radio Main Menu’s convention specials featuring interviews by Jeff Bishop from Las Vegas.

While Jamie and Mailbag were both busy in Vegas, Joe Steinkamp, Ricky Enger and Lisa Salinger were back at home recording another podcast. After the news, Lisa demonstrates some of the new features found in the latest update of iBlink Radio.

Stories covered in this week’s podcast include:

iBlink Radio updates live, Amazon Fire support added

SPN Special: Eight Interviews From NFB 2014

NFB 2014 Interview Special 2

NFB 2014 Interview Special 3

HIMS Part 1

HIMS Part 2

New Access World for July 13, 2014

DAISY Consortium is looking for a new CEO

A grant and new hire means A more certain future for free screen reader NVDA

Job Access With Bugs?

Easter Seals Crossroads on full page Braille tablet and more

Zoomtext for Mac Free v1.1.3 Update released. Adds smooth panning and tracking changes

APH releases Visual Brailer app

Access Note has gone free

Career Connect for iOS released

Happy Anniversary to Seeing Eye GPS app! To celebrate we have a new release. By popular request, users now have the option of Google maps.

Ios 7.1.2 changes

KNFB Reader for iOS at end of August, $99 and audioboo demo

Comments on Resolution 12 from President Rickabono

NFB says Apple has done more for access than others

Apple urged to increase accessibility for the blind and deaf

The power and promise of accessibility

Apple does more for accessibility, Android users frustrated

Accessibility in Google Apps – an overview

Roundabout

The potato salad Kickstarter is “the Woodstock of our generation”

This is the sound of electric cars racing

D&D 5th Edition Basic Rules Free Download

Our thanks go out to Andre Louis and Patrick Purdue of PD Audio Productions for the theme music heard on this podcast.

Welcome to our first SPN special from NFB 2014 in Orlando, Florida. Ricky Enger and Joe Steinkamp have been hard at work talking with many of this year’s convention exhibitors, so sit back and enjoy the following interviews from the 74th annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind.

We would like to thank HIMS Inc. and Elegant Insights Braille Creations for sponsoring this year’s NFB convention coverage.

Matthew of Humanware talks with Ricky Enger about some exciting updates coming to the second generation Victor Reader Stream.

Joe Steinkamp visits with John Wilson of 3D Photoworks about 3D objects in real time and space.

Ricky Enger learns about Echo-Sense, a mobility aid for the visually impaired.

Joe Steinkamp explores portable low-vision solutions from Abisee.

Ricky Enger speaks with Tony of Enabling Technologies about their latest Braille embossers.

Joe Steinkamp talks with Odin Mobile about the latest news about their mobile phone solutions.

Heather of VitalSource Technologies talks with Ricky Enger about their accessible electronic textbooks.

Ricky Enger brings us some exciting news about the soon-to-be released KNFB Reader.

Its finally summer time. Sand, surf, sidewalks, some other S words. You know the time where you venture out of the home and possibly commune with nature. This month Rodney, Byron and Maurie talk about what they use to combat the evil rays of the sun. And we have an app review plus the Mailbag. So sit back in that cheap outdoor lawn chair and join us while we talk sun shades.

Here are some suggestions for where to start on the perfect pair of sunglasses. Remember, you may want to go see these options in person as some may not fit your face well when it comes to wraparound lenses. Also, you may find that red works better than gray on a tint. Or green, or blue. Everyone has their own style as you can see from these examples.

CPF lenses (originally made by Conrning)

Remington Shooting Glasses

Fuel Cell by Oakley

Gunnar Computer Glasses

And don’t forget hats. A good hat can let you avoid some glare issues without having something on your face. And at the pool or beach, it is an alternative to having water spots on your lenses if you rely on sunglasses for summer eye protection.

App Review: Marvel Puzzle Quest Dark Reign for iOS

joe is a bit perplexed. He has been playing this game for more than a month. He hasn’t spent a dime. But he can’t fully recommend this Match 3 title because it’s a low vision nightmare. If you have issues with colors, shapes or text on and odd background… stay away. Or get the app, try it and uninstall. If you do decided that you want to have Iron man, Storm, Black Widow and others beat up the bad guys by matching colors and shapes in spandex, give this one a shot. Its great for the cheap gamer and you can use Zoom on iOS to help you get through the rougher spots on the UI.

Mailbag:

Check out Rodeny, Byron and Ranger1138 on the latest End of Line talking about what you could watch on your TV or tablet this summer. If you don’t like the outdoors that is of course.

Wayne writes in with this comment…

“Morning everyone, Just a handy tip that I thought you might find helpful. I was listening to the last episode when you were mentioning about not wanting pasccodes announcing in public places by voiceover. I am a non-visual user of the iPhone and also don’t want pass codes announcing. There is a good solution though. If you turn on the handwriting mode in the rotor, you will be able to handwrite your passcode in the passcode field. The code is not announced when in handwriting mode on the lock screen. Hope that’s useful. Also, to prevent your text messages announcing in the lock screen, you could disable them in the notifications centre re: turning them off in the lock screen. There’s more inconvenience with this re: the text alert tone will sound but you’ll need to go into messages.I suppose the other option would be to mute voiceover with the double triple tap gesture and turn it on again after the text alert sounds. Keep up the good work at Serotek. It’s all very helpful. Although I am an iPhone user, I do also like to keep in touch with Android developments through that Android Show. too. Maybe they’ll be the option of @That Windows Show@ soon eh? Thanks again for all the effort your teams put into the shows. Best regards, Wayne”

Neat! That was one we hadn’t considered at all. Good catch!

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Byron Lee on Twitter

Check out Byron’s LowVisionRants.com Website

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network

using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

The news of the week, a wayward mailbag and elocution lessons are all a part of this week’s podcast, and our interview with The National Federation of the Blind’s Curtis Chong is the icing on the cake. Topics covered in this week’s episode include:

A T Talk

Walgreens Now Offers Talking Prescription Labels for Blind Customers

Assistive Technology Design for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired Survey

CiscoVision Wiki | Main / 2014 Semester 2 Course Offerings

iOS Access for All | Your comprehensive guide to accessibility for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. by Shelly Brisbin

Learn to Use the Mac with VoiceOver (MAC)

Knowing What Is Good About the iPhone and What Is Not

My comments on the Braille Monitor Article concerning the iPhone | Thoughts from David Goldfield

GWKB2058 – McAfee Found to Block Important Functionality in Window-Eyes

Unexpected loss of ZoomText activation

Mainstream Matters

Apple’s HealthKit Is a Huge Headache for One Startup

iOS 8 will let you scan credit cards via the camera

What Android 4.4.3 could mean about the future of Android updates

Microsoft stock price hits 52-week high, suggests market approves of Nadella

Why an Amazon Phone Makes Sense

Roundabout

Blind? Listen to this 9-year-old: ‘Accept it and live life as is’

No Barriers Grand Canyon Expedition 2014 Jamie mentioned that he plans to read Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man’s Journey to Climb Farther than the Eye Can See: My Story by Erik Weihenmayer.

19 Rare Recordings of Famous Authors

Our thanks go out to Andre Louis and Patrick Purdue of PD Audio Productions for the theme music heard on this podcast.

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

Jeff Bishop is an IT Accessibility Analyst at the University of Arizona. He describes himself as a “Developer, technologist, Window-Eyes scripter, Broadcaster and family oriented guy” and is probably best known for his broadcasts on various community radio stations.

Janet Ingber has been writing for AccessWorld since 2005, and cohosts two podcasts on How to be Blind. Her new book, “Learn to use the Mac With VoiceOver” is now available from National Braille Press. Janet has a Masters Degree in Music Therapy and provides services for adults who have developmental disabilities. Additionally, she is certified as a special education teacher. Janet lives in New York City with her husband, daughter and guide dog, Jack.

Byron Lee is a Ham Radio Operator (KC9EEK), Broadcast Personality, Audio Engineer, Voice Over Artist, Web Designer, IT Professional, and most importantly, a huge geek! He is currently employed by Horizons for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired, and is currently working on the DirectionsForMe project, a one stop source for accessible packaging information. In addition, Byron hosts two Internet radio shows. The Talk Zone is a two hour program about adaptive technology, disability rights, science fiction, pop-culture, and just about any other topic. The Fun Zone is a one hour program featuring comedy music. His shows are simulcast on ACB Radio Mainstream, and several other online radio stations. Byron has also been involved in other radio shows and podcasts, and is a frequent contributor on the SeroTalk Podcast Network. Find out more about Byron on his website or take a look at his newest project, the Low Vision Rants Website.

In the Community

HIMS Inc. Releases New Pocket-sized Media Player that Gives Blind and Visually Impaired Near-Instant Access to Printed Text

The Penguin Random House/Bookshare Partnership

BlindSquare celebrates two years; releases Version 2.0.

General Tech

Amazon, Twitter link up for easy shopping through #AmazonCart

Text-to-911 is here, but it isn’t everything you might think

Windows Phone 8.1 Launching June 24

WWDC

Information on iOS 8 now added to the Apple website

Information on OS X Yosemite now added to the Apple website

Apple publishes Swift programing language guide on iBooks

32 Hidden Features in Apple iOS 8

To help remake accessibility training as we know it, visit to view training subscription options and make your contribution to EZFire’s A11YTV funding campaign.

Rodney, Byron and Maurie spoke about the joys, or perhaps lack there of, for low vision users in iOS 7 a few episodes ago. Well, in honor of the recently released iOS 7.11 and joe having a spiffy new iPad Air, the team has reconverged to discuss the latest iOS and its changes made to better aid those with vision impairments. They’ll also talk “Growing up Fisher”, canceled by NBC not too long after the show was recorded, plus the typical unexpected topics that can be so magical on a show like ours.

Here are some things that came up in conversation….

BBC News – Glow in the dark road unveiled in the Netherlands

Rodney mentioned the 8 Bit Classic from Activision. All hail “Enduro’!

Recommended by Byron, Luke and carrie’s “Bad Report” Podcast

Confused about what Ringtone Rodney helped accidentally create? Well, check out the Out Cast for 2012 to hear it in context.

And download it for your very own

App Review: Star Wars Assault Team

Speaking of that new iPad Air, although this game is also on Windows Phone and Android as well, Joe is playing what amount’s to a strange mix of a card battler with a turn by turn RPG set in the Star Wars universe. It’s a free title, however, it will force [ha ha force!] you to consider handing over money at somepoint midway through the game. All your SW Regulars are there with Han, Luke, Chewie and so many Droids. It’s a fun romp, its free and it is great for killing time while waiting in the burger line for lunch.

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Byron Lee on Twitter

Check out Byron’s LowVisionRants.com Website

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network

using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

To help remake accessibility training as we know it, visit to view training subscription options and make your contribution to EZFire’s A11YTV funding campaign.

Welcome to the 200th episode of the SeroTalk podcast. Our thanks go out to Andre Louis and Patrick Purdue of PD Audio Productions for the new theme music that you will hear on the SeroTalk Podcast from this point forward. Jamie, Ricky and Joe reflect on how far the SeroTalk Podcast and SPN have come over the years. We also discuss the top news stories of the week. After the news, Lisa Salinger reviews Status Report, an iOS app that lets you read the most recent 100 status updates from your favorite social media services. Finally, Jamie Pauls, Patrick Purdue and Buddy Brannan take a look at the Bradley timepiece. Stories discussed in this episode of the podcast include:

48 billion bucks later, ATnT buys Directtv

Google takes Twitch for YouTube

Peace in our time, Apple V Google

Apple Releases OS X Mavericks 10.9.3

Seven Unsung Built-In Gems of Mac OS X

Apple’s iCloud punishes you for being a good customer

Why high bit-rate and HD audio are all about marketing, not music

iPhone Calls Sound Weird? Try Turning Off Phone Noise Cancelation in iOS

New update to BlindSquare.

Back In The Game

New Access World for may

My Initial Thoughts on the RNIB Navigator App

Foursquare’s Swarm And The Rise Of The Invisible App

Pay for Google Play stuff with PayPal around the world

Psst! Wearable Devices Could Make Big Tech Leaps, Into Your Ear

The Next Big Thing You Missed: One Day, You’ll Google the Physical World With a Scanner Like This

The Trick That Makes Google’s Self-Driving Cars Work

New Urgency for Tighter Drone Rules After Near Crash

a nod to the past, Robot Guide Dogs?

Text-to-911 is here, but it isn’t everything you might think

Windows Phone 8.1 Launching June 24

Microsoft sticking to its guns so far, leaving XP unpatched and exploited

Roundabout

Got Gas? It Could Mean You’ve Got Healthy Gut Microbes

The Utopian Origins of Restroom Symbols

After 32 years, town lifts arcade game ban

A visit to Galloping Ghost, the largest video game arcade in the USA

This month Rodney, Maurie, Byron and joe talk television and movies. A recently released NBC series has both Low Vision and Blind groups taking notice of the portrayal of its lead character who plays someone with Low Vision. Our team has thoughts about the initial episodes and if they believe some of the humor is universal or if it’s just way off the mark entirely. We’ll also discuss the rise, fall and rise again of Solo DX. At the time of the show’s initial recording the app was fine. Then after the show was edited the app was shuddered. And now, as you read this, the app has new life. Oh how 60 days can be like 7 years in internet time! Find out more about Solo DX in our discussions and stick around for joe’s app review.
Learn more about “Growing Up Fisher” by visiting the official NBC page

Joe noted that NBC canceled a show last year with a Blind character in it, and Matthew perry from “Friends” was in there too, called “Go On”.

Rodney mentioned another show that has featured a Blind character recently is “Covert Affairs” on the USA network.

Take a listen to SeroTalk 179 and hear the interview recorded at the launch of the Solo DX app

Disability Need Not Be Barrier for Moviegoers

Read more about the transition for Solo DX to its new home with Accessibility Hound

App Review: Umano

Since you happen to be reading show notes for a podcast at the moment, chances are you like to hear news and stories read to you by people with nice voices. Umano, both for Android and iOS, is today’s top headlines [and more] read by professional voice artists. Both versions of the apps have their own hang ups with their own screen readers, the app is pretty bright and needs a night mode… but still. If you want to read lots of news with real voices of current news, you can’t go wrong with Umano.

Our Sponsor

We didn’t cover it in this episode, however, be sure to catch joe’s interviews with some up and coming Video magnifiers from our SPN CSUN 2014 coverage. HIMS, our coverage sponsor, released a Video Magnifier that connects to an iPad or an Android tablet. To learn more about eBot, listen to our SPN CSUN Special.

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Byron Lee on Twitter

Check out Byron’s LowVisionRants.com Website

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to resources@serotalk.com

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network

using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to this week’s edition of the SeroTalk podcast where Jamie, Ricky and Joe discuss the top news stories of the week. After the news, Jamie visits with Hope Paulos of Fedora Outlier about all the exciting learning opportunities available from the company. Whether it’s iOS, Mac or Windows, they’ve got you covered. Also, be sure to check out their Delivering Access podcast which is also available on iBlink Radio. Topics discussed in this week’s podcast include:

Why the Windows 8.1 Update probably means no more Service Packs for Windows

Why I can live without Office for iPad

Windows Phone 8.1 Review

Purported iPhone 6 cases suggest design changes afoot

An Amazon Phone for Everyone—FREE!

Smartphone Makers Agree on ‘Kill Switch’ to Deter Thefts

5 ways Graphene material will change gadgets forever

5 myths about Heartbleed you shouldn’t believe

19-Year-Old Canadian Arrested for Heartbleed Hack

Apple says Heartbleed security flaw did not affect its software or services

Attention Pandora users! Pandora Radio 5.3 has broken some VoiceOver functionality. Read more:

Apple Patents Indoor Navigation System Based On Existing Wi-Fi Access Points

Apple Patents Graphical Interface For The Visually Impaired

Google Patents Tiny Cameras Embedded In Contact Lenses

The Rise and Fall of AIM, the Breakthrough AOL Never Wanted

Mailbag

From Brett Wilhelm:

Hi Serotalk. After listening to podcast 195, I wanted to comment on the issue of Braille notetakers versus IOS devices. Before I do, I will say that I am a proud owner of both of an Iphone 4s and BrailleNote Apex BT. I feel I have the best of both worlds, and can be more productive as a result. I’ll now discuss the areas I think my Apex docs best, followed by the things IOS does best.

Apex advantages 1. Instant start-up. The Apex powers on and is ready to work faster. 2. The battery. The Apex has a longer battery life and its batteries are user replaceable. And let’s not forget its longer battery life. 3. The Apex remembers its place in documents. 4. No need for Bluetooth. Unless I need to use it as a Braille display with IOS, there’s no need to use batter-draining bluetooth just to get Braille access to the device. 5. One keyboard, one device. I only need to touch one device.
I never need to move my hands off a keyboard and interact with a touch screen.

IOS advantages 1. The Iphone can be charged via USB, allowing it to be charged from a laptop even when no outlet is available. 2. More stability. Though Humanware has been constantly improving the stability of the Apex since its release, I find myself having to press its reset button on an almost daily basis. 3. App support. As great as the Keysoft operating system is on the Apex, it is not possible for users to design software for it.
With so many great IOS apps, it’s not always necessary to wait for software updates before the device gains more capabilities.

So, I think that IOS and notetakers still have a place in the blind community. I don’t see the disappearance of the notetaker or of blindness-spacific technology completely disappearing anytime soon. I hope you find this email informative and I look forward to more great podcasts from SeroTalk. Thanks, Brett Wilhelm

Blog comment from Jessica Rickards:

Keep up the great work guys! Excellent show, and quite an informative interview!

From Luis:

Hi SeroTalk hosts,

After listening to podcast 195, I wanted to reply about a couple of things mentioned.

First, I do have to agree with Mr. Steinkamp about fragmentation on iOS. It’s funny that he keeps on bringing up the original iPad which stopped receiving updates since iOS5.1.1. However, I did a full comparisons of fragmentation between Android and iOS. I was going to share the direct link. That I posted on a forum that I created over at SAMNet. And sadly because it was over 6 months ago, the post has fallen off the forum. But Apple has fragmented their OS since iOS2 with the introduction to appstore. Where the original iPhone back in 2007 came out. That phone couldn’t nor wouldn’t support iOS2.

Second, the comment about NoteTakers, has been around since 2010. Or even maybe earlier. I know the former CEO of Sero Tek has been against and I quote, “Blind Ghetto Products”, end of quote. But just recently I heard someone mentioning that he himself is now using a BrailleSense U2 Mini. And I know you will have a lot of people writing in about this. So, I’ll try to keep it short. The NoteTaker is as good as the user. If someone doesn’t know all about what the product can do, Then yes the product will be a waste of money. Like an Android or iPhone. Where I work sighted people have smartphones for there everyday tasks. But when I ask how is this feature working out for you? They stay quiet because they didn’t knew their phone was able to do that or they couldn’t figure out how to do it. So they just use the phone, email, and to watch YouTube or play games. While when I asked a student who used an MPower BrailleNote and is now using an Apex. He mentioned he preferred the Apex because it had more features. When I asked him like what or how are you using these features? His reply was, I don’t know I just know I like the Apex because it has more features. And for those who say, it’s just a waste of money. Since Main Stream devices are now accessible right out of the box. The device is, but the apps are only as accessible as the developers make them to be. Then, you’re at the mercy of them until they get around to fixing what they broke in accessibility. So, there is room for both, specially if you rely on Braille displays. Where on iOS Apple may break the ability to communicate with your Braille display as they have done on the last 2-3 OS updates. Or Google which according to an interview from That Android Show. It’s up to to the maker of the display to get it to communicate to your device.

Third, I don’t understand the hate on the front facing camera on the Nexas7, it did a pretty good job when I had to use it with Google Goggles. It was able to identify mostly everything I put in front of it. The same results that I get with my Nexas7 2013 model that has a back facing camera.

And forth, I am with Mr. Steinkamp about the Dice World posts. I rarely will post the generic tweet. More often then not. I will change the tweet to something random so not to bug my followers. Unless I beat Richard Wells. Then I have to brag about that great victory. As a matter of fact, I encourage anybody playing Bupster. To beat him in any and all Dice World games you play with him. He really enjoys giving gold to all.

Great podcast as always.

From Jake:

Hello all. I just wanted to say great job as always! I just had to comment on “It’s a Small World” turning 50. I vividly remember when I was a toddler, my parents and I went to DisneyWorld. This ended up being one of several trips that my family and I would take there. But my parents put me on that boat ride, and I can remember crying my eyes out from hearing that darn song so much. Obviously I got off the ride eventually, but I don’t remember the exact sequence of events that day. I have since grown to love DisneyWorld and Epcott Center. I haven’t been to either in several years, and I don’t believe I was ever at DisneyLand in California. I have also since grown to like that song. One other thing I remember is listening to a record my mom had in her vast collection, and I was fascinated at hearing the song in all the different languages. I definitely agree that the song has a good message. Well, thanks again for another good episode, and keep ‘em coming!

Best wishes, Jake

Roundabout

When Things Look Dark, Country Music Gets Sunnier

The science of seasonal allergies — and why they’re so awful

There is a lot to talk about on this week’s podcast. Jamie, Ricky and Joe break it all down for you. Then, Lisa interviews one of the developers of the incredibly popular iOS app DiceWorld As always, your feedback brings it all together, so sit back and enjoy the ride!

The Big Story

Heartbleed: How It Works

The 5 Things To Do About the New Heartbleed Bug

The Heartbleed Hit List: The Passwords You Need to Change Right Now

The Programmer Behind Heartbleed Speaks Out: It Was an Accident

Why is Heartbleed called Heartbleed?

Heartbleed’s lesson: Passwords must die

Welcome to the Post-XP world, but how on earth did we get here?

Microsoft is Still Making Security Updates for Windows XP, But You Can’t Have Them

A T Talk

CSUN: Is It Still the Definitive Access Technology Conference?

SPN Special: Maximizing Potential with Mainstream and Assistive Technologies

CSUN 2014 HIMS Special – Notetaker or iPad: Is It The Wrong Question?

From Applevis: Comparing iOS Devices with Braille Notetakers

From The Tech Doctor: Comparing iOS Devices and Notetakers

Fedora Outlier Announces The Mac Master Series

The popular TapTapSee App is now available for Android

Mainstream Matters

Zombies, Run! | New in Season 3: Player Choice!

Skype TX: Microsoft Targets Broadcasters

Google making Glass available to the masses for one day only

Mailbag

From Kelley Armstrong

Hi, my name is Kelley Armstrong and I live in Texas. First I just want to say I look forward to hearing the serotalk podcast and the three of you do a good job. Now I liked the operating system of windows XP but I have learned windows 8 and games are something I enjoy too. I play all the blind gamers games on my windows 8 laptop without any trouble at all. I do have a windows vista laptop I don’t use it I let my dad have it. I don’t think any of you will believe it but I recently just chunked an old desktop computer that ran windows XP and I have still in my possession a year 2009 dell net book running XP and to be frank I am fearful of turning it on and I am not even sure it can be upgraded to either vista or seven or eight. On a net book everything is external that’s why I don’t think it can be upgraded and no love lost too many security risks. I use an ipad two as my main computer I send and recieve email and do facebook. I go online and shop and check prices and read newspapers, listen to pandora radio and I play games and I like to listen to I blink radio and look at blind bargains. I like my windows eight laptop but if Mack computers weren’t so expensive I wouldn’t mind being a Mack user I built my life in IOS and I love it. I could live with or without a windows computer but if my ipad two were to quit on me I think I would go crazy. I am seeing hiccups in voice over and touch screen issues as my ipad is aging. I am finding my ipad not as snappy as it was when I got it and it was new. It’s a bit sluggish and I don’t know if it’s normal or not. I just think it’s amazing how far computers and technology have come and revolutionized the lives of blind people in general. In the education of blind children and the what use to be hard can and hopefully is easier to teach blind children. I was just starting out in elementary school in the year 1993 and the school really didn’t know what to do with me so they stuck me in the life skills class where mentally impaired and the kids in wheelchairs who cannot talk or comprehend what’s going on. I was neglected by the teachers because at first I didn’t learn abc’s and 123’s like every other five year old kid. Nope I was being told to feel of feathers and button buttons and zipping zippers until my dad threw a walleyed fit and it took a lot of badgering and griping but finally they got the technology and the resources to teach me braille.

From Kelsey Trevett:

Hi SeroTalk gang, I was listening to podcast 194 and had to input my thoughts into a couple of discussions you had on that episode. In particular, your chat about Windows 8,1 (update 1) and the Amazon Fire TV. Windows 8,1 update 1 has been anticipated by techie people for a while now… I mean a long while. Personally, I’ve been a user of Windows 8,0 from day 1 (literally) and so have seen it’s growth and development since October 2012. Windows 8,1 was a welcome update to Windows 8; many of my personal complaints were dealt with and some features were added (AKA put back). Update 1 (or spring update, etc) didn’t bring a huge change to the OS.
Yes, the search and power options controls came to the Start Screen – something Windows’ users have been begging for since it’s launch in 2012 – but apart from that and some minor changes, it seems a rather insignificant update. Sure, there are plenty of small fixes and changes which I’m not complaining about but I can’t see much (as a JAWS user) that really caught my eye (excuse the pun). As you rightly said, I think this is Microsoft’s attempt to back-pedal furiously into what they hope are the open arms of consumers. Unfortunately, I feel that it is too little, far too late. Windows 8 has got itself a reputation and it’s going to be pretty much impossible for Microsoft to shift it. As for the Amazon Fire TV (does it burst your TV into flames?) I have other thoughts. It is great that Amazon have come into the streaming market via the TV; they’ve had very similar services on their Kindle Fire line of products for quite some time now. What I did notice is the inability to access Amazon Music services from the device which is quite a big flunk on Amazon’s part. If you live in the Amazon eco system, you want it all, not just bits and pieces of the world you live in, right? Additionally, I read several articles from Twitter verifying my own fears – the device scores a 0 when it comes to accessibility.
There is no screen reader built-in to the system. This doesn’t leave me without hope; I’m sure that if we petition for long enough (as we did for iOS and Android app accessibility and Fire tablet access too), access to Fire TV will come. I’m not a person who believe wholly in fighting my way to the end; a peaceful approach is more my style. The missing accessibility is possibly for the reason I’ve come up with: “blind people don’t watch TV, do they? Really, they can’t see it!” I loved the April Fools edition of SeroTalk, Triple Click Home and That Android Show; I thought they were great fun and that a great laugh was had by all. Thanks for reading and bring on podcast 200!!!

Kelsey London, England, UK

And another from Kelsey:

Hi SeroTalkers, It’s Kelsey again – remember me? I was the one with the new Nexus 7 and I was diving in from iOS to Android. Well, after a few more months, I thought I’d send another email letting you know how it’s been going with the Nexus 7. I’ve now had the Nexus 7 for four months and am thoroughly enjoying the experience. Surprisingly, I’m finding it strangely easy to live in the Apple, Android and Windows universes all at once! It is easy to know when to use what for checking Twitter, reading emails, etc. The Nexus 7 is my desk device – the device that primarily lives on my desk and occasionally ventures out and about with me. I have done a lot more exploration of Android; I’ve tried some new apps, launchers and other such things. The Nexus 7, for me in any case, has become easier to use the more I get used to Android and the way it works. I’ve changed Talkback to single-tap selection, finding this method easier and more productive. Additionally, I’ve changed more Talkback settings to make it more of the experience that I desire and want from Android. My thoughts on Android haven’t changed although some new ones have come to me during these last months. I’ve found my own way of looking at Android – whatever you want from it, it can provide. You do have to put the effort in though – look for the apps / launchers / keyboards etc; do the research to find out how to perform a task; work out all the sneaky cheats with Talkback and other such things you may want to know. The operating system has a great interface; no customisation is required if the user doesn’t want to. The UI is simple and easy to use and so I feel Android is a good option for pretty much anybody, however good or bad their computer skills may be. My other thought with Android (as I have said before) is to remember that it isn’t going to explode in your hand. This mental advice has been ringing in my head quite a lot recently when fiddling with settings and the like. The device isn’t just going to explode, or fall apart, or whip out an evil hand and hit you round the face for pressing the wrong button. People need to be adventurous IF THEY WANT TO BE. There was no legal document that came with the tablet when you bought it that said: I agree that I have to change ten settings every day or else the evil NexusBot will come and kill me. No, no such obligation was agreed to. Therefore, you can change as much or as little as you choose. Thanks for reading and I hope my new experiences and thoughts will help new users of Android and people thinking of taking the plunge; it is well worth it.

Kelsey London, England, UK

Blog Comment From Dominique

Hey guys, just listened to the April Fools podcast, and also podcast 194. Good job guys, that was awesome. Just a thought, to see how it would sound, you guys should do the next one in complete 8k AM radio form. Deric, and Patric would be good at making a small segment sounding like that, reminds me of the guy that Deric made sing on that one beat and got played on the AM radio station, all by axidant that one time… Keep it up guys! Pease!

Roundabout

Jamie: No Laptops, No Wi-Fi: How One Cafe Fired Up Sales

Cops Found Stolen Laptop After Thief Called Apple Tech Support

‘It’s a Small World’ turns 50 with sing-along

About Our Presenters

Shelly Brisbin is a writer, editor, podcaster, and cocktail enthusiast. Her current project is iOS Access for All, a comprehensive guide to accessibility for Apple’s iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Shelly’s career in tech journalism spans 25 years, 12 books, hundreds of articles and blog posts for leading tech publications, and several stints on the editorial staffs of leading trade publications and Web sites. She served as editor-in-chief of Blogger & Podcaster Magazine, networking editor for MacUser Magazine, and online editor for online learning company, Powered, Inc. and Hoover’s Web sites. Her podcasts include the award-winning Shelly’s Podcast, and App Store Pundit, an iOS app review show. Her cocktail writing appears on this blog, and at the sadly departed The Spirit World. When she’s not working, Shelly spends time with her husband and cats in Austin, Texas, watches ancient movies, and reads books. You can follow Shelly on Twitter, or get updates about her book.

Liam Erven is best known for the computer games he produces for blind users. Games are released via his company, LWorks. His latest endeavor, Audio Archery, is now free for Android and iOS. Follow Liam or LWorks on Twitter for the latest updates.

Rick Harmon manages various email lists related to blindness and technology. He also runs the Blind Geek Zone website and Podcast. Since their launch in 2006, the site and podcast have served as portals to hundreds of free tutorials and demonstrations for the blind community. While he did the majority of these, he has selected high-quality submissions by others for inclusion as well. In 2007, Rick began offering paid training and support services, both in person in his local area, and by phone. Follow Rick on Twitter.

In The Community

A closer look at iOS 7.1’s accessibility changes

Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 7: An Introduction for Blind Users

Battery drain problems in iOS 7.1, and how to fix them

Announcing the release of Sendero GPS 2014 products!

Solo DX Announces That They’re Closing Their Doors

Speaking of CSUN

New Tech Doctor Podcast: CSUN 2014

NosillaCast #463 Travel Tech, Boom, Omnigraffle, ChargeDr, Tack-Tiles, BigGrips, UbiDuo, WHILL, CSUN Disability Expo

The Great Big List from the 2014 CSUN Conference.

Audio coverage from CSUN by BlindBargains

SeroTalk’s CSUN coverage,

Sponsored by HIMS.

Mainstream Tech

Google drops its Drive storage pricing significantly, puts pressure on Apple to improve iCloud prices

Amazon ups Prime fee to $99 from $79: Customers likely to absorb it

Finally, Microsoft brings Office to the iPad

In this CSUN 2014 presentation, Joe Steinkamp, Ricky Enger and Dave Wilkinson demonstrate cloud-based solutions, mainstream tablets, PC’s and iDevices along with assistive technology from HIMS, Inc. and Serotek Corporation for complete access to information from anywhere.

Ricky and Joe hit the ground running just as soon as they arrived at this year’s CSUN convention. This year’s CSUN coverage is sponsored by HIMS Inc. We trust that you will enjoy the first nine interviews to come from this year’s convention. Be sure and check out the links to the various companies represented in the following interviews. They include:

HIMS Inc

AFB

Alexandra Vision

American Thermoform

Computer application specialties

GH

Maxi Aids

Tactalis

Telorion

Replay the Accessible Event archive of the show

About Our Presenters

Luis Arellano is an instructional assistant for California School Districts and a regular, helpful participant in the SAMNet Community. He enjoys comparing, contrasting, and demonstrating various mainstream technology solutions. To hear some of these comparisons and keep up with his other activities, you can follow him on Twitter.

Mainstream Tech

Comcast Deal Seeks to Unite 2 Cable Giants

WhatsApp: the Bomb That Hit Silicon Valley

Forget the iWatch, Apple’s next big thing is health

Samsung Galaxy S5 made official: 5.1-inch HD screen, fingerprint scanner, and heart rate monitor in tow

Community News

FDA clears first drug for blindness sleep disorder

The New Generation Stream: Wireless access to over 36,000 radio station + Rich Media Content

Indian American 7th Grader Develops Braille Printer with Legos

Buddy Brannan’s interview with Braigo’s developer in SeroTalk 188

Results of the 5th Screen Reader Survey from WebAIM Released

Summary of survey results

American Foundation for the Blind Announces 2014 Access Award Winners

Winter is just about over, thank goodness, but the crew thought that they would pass along some of their tips and low tech ways of walking around in the snow and ice of the neverending Polar Vortex. Joe reviews some apps for those who like Leo and TWiT and we hear from Thomas on baggage suggestions for Bryon’s collection.

Winter Travel Tips

Here are the links to some of the gear mentioned by Maurie, Rodney and Byron

Walking on Ice? Yak Trax will go on most shoes to provide safe walking.

Icebug Ivalo-L BuGrip boot

Due North OVRSD All Purpose Snow & Ice Boot Traction Aid, Oversized

Remington Wrap-Around

App Review: TWiT for iOS, TWiT Pro for Android

Rodney, Byron and joe listen to many of the shows on the TWiT network. Joe notes that getting the official app for iOS is super easy. Just go to the live streaming site and you will be prompted to visit the iOS store to get the paid app. Its not the best with VoiceOver sadly, however, its simple to use with Low Vision if you don’t mind the color green with white lettering.

For Android, and this is a free app that asks for kind donations, TWiT Pro is a great TalkBack friendly way to keep up with the various shows on the Podcast Network. With white lettering on a black background, the app is very streamline and it has many of the features found in the iOS official app. Both are great ways to keep up with Leo and pals!

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Jeremy Curry on Twitter

Follow GW Micro on Twitter.

Follow Byron Lee on Twitter

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to resources@serotalk.com.

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to this week’s episode of the SeroTalk Podcast. Jamie Pauls and Ricky Enger are joined by Lisa Salinger to discuss the news of the week. Then, Lisa interviews Jamie about his work as a music therapist.

A T Talk

Blind Bargains: NVDA 14.1 Beta Release is Now Available with Powerpoint 2013 Support, More

ZoomText Mac 1.0.7 is Released

More Accessibility enhancements coming to A Dark Room for iOS in March

Blind Bargains: Fedora Outlier Starts a New Weekly Series Called There’s An App For That

AppleVisPodcast audio Digitize Your Vinyl Records With Amadeus Pro for the Mac

AFB: Take our quick survey & be eligible to win an iPad mini!

SPN Special: An Interview with Jim Kutsch

VIP Talk: Microsoft is not Last in Accessibility

Mainstream Matters

WhatsApp: the Bomb That Hit Silicon Valley

Google offered to buy WhatsApp for $10 billion

WhatsApp CEO Is Against Whatever Facebook Is For

OneDrive branding rolls out with new clients and new features

Windows XP is at death’s door and users need to move on

Apple eyes smart magnets to attach accessories to your iPad

Third-party SDK for iOS lets you replace Apple’s keyboard with Fleksy’s

Amazon’s long-rumored Apple TV competitor to launch next month?

Roundabout

New York company says it can beam free OUTERNET Wi-fi to every person on Earth

Blind man wins free McDonalds for a year after sinking three-pointer

Listen to the sound of a public street in 1928

Bernie Krause: The voice of the natural world

About Our Presenters

Erin Edgar is a lawyer currently working for Legal Aid, which is a non-profit lawfirm that assists low-income clients with various issues. She and her husband, Rodney, co-host a podcast called Tech Access Weekly which focuses on news and events  in assistive and mainstream technology. She also co-hosts the Book Hoarders Annonymous Podcast, which is dedicated to book lovers of all persuasions. Follow her on Twitter, or reach her via email.

Rodney Edgar is a low vision IT Professional in the banking industry. In 2009 he co-founded the Tech Access Weekly Podcast which discusses a variety of accessible technologies. He is also the host of High Contrast on SPN, technical director of Tech Access DemoCast, and shameless promoter of the Book Hoarders Annonymous Podcast. You can follow him on Twitter

Allison Hartley is an avid technology enthusiast, and co hosts the Tech Doctor Podcast with Dr. Robert carter. She currently works as a rehabilitation counselor for a state agency. She is also a trained singer. She and her husband Jeremy share a love of music and technology in common, and are working on putting together a jazz ensemble. They also enjoy kicking back and watching mindless comedies on Netflix. You can follow her on Twitter.

Jeremy Hartley has a strong passion for technology and music. He is a former owner of a small Internet Service Provider, former host of the Whole Note program for blind musicians, and member of several bands in the San Francisco Bay area as a singer, trumpet and keyboard player. He was also the voice of the narrator in the audio game, Entombed. He currently works at a web accessibility company in San Francisco. Along with his wife Allison, he is putting together a small jazz ensemble. They also share a love of reading and discovering new local restaurants.

Mainstream Tech

CES 2014: Wearables, connected appliances, automated cars, and curved TVs

New lease on life? AOL reportedly selling Winamp to Radionomy

Apple execs reflect on the Macintosh at 30

Microsoft faces new brand dispute over OneDrive name

Google Glass finally works with prescription glasses, frames cost $225

All About Apps

MBraille 1.7.2 updated to include Facetime calling support and bug fixes

Seeing Eye GPS 1.3 includes 17 notable changes and a NEW Monthly subscription option

Announcing the AppleVis Golden Apples of 2013

Hey iOS peeps! Now you can school your Android friends in SpellStack.

Digit-Eyes 2.0 has a completely NEW and simplified user interface design plus other New features

Announcing Fleksy VO for iOS. A new keyboard for VoiceOver users.

Clarification of Fleksy VO for iOS

Interview with Fleksy developers on SeroTalk 185

In the Community

GW Micro Announces Global Window-Eyes Initiative for users of Microsoft Office

A Toast to GW Micro

How gaming can help blind people navigate buildings in real life

The Beauty of Space Comes to the Visually Impaired

Welcome to this week’s edition of the SeroTalk Podcast where Jamie, Ricky and Joe discuss the top news stories of the week. In addition to the news, Jamie visits with the developers of Fleksy about their decision to release Fleksy VO specifically for the blind community, as well as their plans for future versions of the app.

A T Talk

Clarification of Fleksy VO for iOS

GW Micro – Window-Eyes – Certification

Twitterrific 5.6 updated to include live tweet streaming, list management support, a VoiceOver bug fix, more

Chicken Nugget 1.3 released! Filters, reversable timelines, relative times, more!

SpellStack 1.2.7 includes New Tutorials to make learning the game easier and VoiceOver improvements

Visit the IRS Accessibility Page for accessible tax forms and information

Introducing: A Modern, One-of-a-Kind Lifestyle Magazine for the Blind

Cool Blind TechPodcastProject RAY, Smart Phones Made Easy

Mainstream Matters

Apple execs reflect on the Macintosh at 30

iWork updated with new features and modest accessibility improvements

Next-Gen Apple TV Releasing In March; Gaming Support Coming Via Update

Apple eyes two bigger displays for iPhone, another report says

Pentagon says it didn’t buy 80,000 new BlackBerry phones

Symantec: No hard timeline on Windows XP support

Microsoft publishes a new expert guide to mastering Windows 8.1

Internet pay-TV is coming. Will you care?

Friday Poll: How careful are you about passwords?

Five Steps to Take Immediately If You’re the Victim of Identity Theft

Mailbag

From Jenine Stanley:

Thanks for another great show, including the coverage of the GW Micro announcement.

But come on, we want to talk more eyeball stories! I have to say that hearing about people’s prosthetic eyes falling out really had me putting off getting my own eye removed for years. Then I learned that it just doesn’t happen that often for most people with good muscle control. My doctor gave me exercises to do to keep my eye muscles strong and that helped.

My two favorite “eye on the loose” stories though are these.

When I was in class getting my first dog in 1987 there was a man who had a prosthetic eye. He was a big guy, tough and all that. He and our instructor got on really well as they were both Vietnam vets, tough guys and all that. Our instructor was one of those old school guide dog trainers who delighted in showing you just how tough he was … until …

One morning the student with the prosthetic eye sneezed hard and well, you can only guess what happened. He was sitting on one side of the instructor and I was sitting on the other. The instructor was so freaked out that he kept dry heaving and stammering that he couldn’t touch the eye.

The student kept saying someone had to get his eye before one of the dogs ate it, probably mine too as she had that unfortunate weakness.

I got down on the floor and started feeling around for the eye with directions from the instructor, between his gagging. Someone from the kitchen finally came out and helped retrieve the eye but whew, it was a long day for that instructor after that one.

The second story happened to a friend. She was riding a roller coaster and when they hit a bump, her eye flew out. She was panicking because she was trying to figure out how to tell the park people and where to look.

She got off the ride and was fussing around when two teenagers came up. The girl was gagging and looked like she was going to truly throw up everywhere. The boy was holding my friend’s eye in his hand. It had flipped back right into his lap. Some first date.

It’s stories like these and the often told and retold one about the dog in guide dog class who eats someone’s eye and then deposits it in the next day’s business, usually shining atop the pile of pooh, that really give such a positive impression of prosthetics. Yep, sometimes our sick humor really isn’t too helpful.

From Pam Francis:

Hi everyone, Thanks for another informative podcast. On the light side, in response to your listener’s comment concerning prosthetic eyes, I knew a girl in high school who had 1 prosthetic eye. If she got upset with someone, on occasion, she would throw her eye at the offending person or target. I am in no way defending her actions. It seemed odd enough that it stuck out in my memories of people in school. Also congrats to GW Micro aligning with Microsoft for those who use later versions of Office. I would be very interested in your opinion referring to GW Micro’s latest move. Do you think they could be dipping their toe in to Microsoft’s waters hoping ultimately to replace Narrator as their default screenreader in Windows? As much as I enjoy my Mac & the voiceover experience, every screenreader has its flaws. I know AI Squared has made enrolls with Apple having been allowed to introduce its Zoomtext as a choice for low vision users on the Mac platform. I would really like to see Apple open it up to other screen readers to give voiceover users usability when voiceover is lacking. It would further accessibility for everyone. I take issue with your stance on Fleksy’s latest move. I understand app & website evolution. Through the years, I have heard your team congratulate Fleksy in its endeavors to make an accessible means of gesture typing on a an onscreen keyboard for everyone. We as a blind community have been sold a bill of goods. We were used as a marketing arm for Fleksy in its endeavor to configure an accessible messaging app without having to look at the screen. I personally, don’t appreciate being used as their guinea pig. If our community was indeed a test market, they should have had the integrity to tell us as much. If they need to make it “pretty” for the sighted community to accept it, they are defeating their purpose by saying one must look at the screen. They can’t have it both ways. We were asked to pay $14.95 when the app launched, & were happy to do so; knowing accessibility isn’t free. We are now relegated to our own version of the app, which on their blog says will be free forever. What a sham!!!!!

We are not segregated per our ISP’s or cell carriers with reference to messaging apps. I am enclosing my communication with Fleksy & their response; which I might add is a direct contradiction to their blog entry.

http://fleksy.com/blog/

Hello, Obviously, we as blind consumers are now considered separate, but not equal. We were used as guinea pigs to develop your product. Initially the app was offered for $14.95 on the App Store. After you sucked enough of us in, made us believe you were actually interested in developing something that would allow us to be equal to our sighted counterparts, you then made it free for everyone. That in itself is not as big of a deal as your most recent release of a separate keyboard for those of us who use voiceover. The initial design of the app worked well with VoiceOver anyway. Of course, that was your mode of operation. You wanted us to believe we were something that obviously we are not in your eyes. You excepted the accolades given to you by anyone using an iOS device within the blind community along with various websites dedicated to blind and visually impaired users. Ultimately, you’re not being fair to us relegating us to a separate app. If your market was ultimately the sighted community, you should have marketed that way to begin with. Though we are a minuscule part of the population worldwide, we do have friends who make use of technology. We initially revered your app for its inclusion. This is the 21st-century. We as blind people are no longer in a broom closet sitting around stringing beads for someone else. Your most recent actions have damaged any integrity any future developers would have attempting to develop an app claiming to be useful to those of us who are blind, while asking for our help. We as a blind community are no one’s guinea pig. In my opinion, those of us who paid our hard-earned money initially for your app only to be told we now have a separate app which is free deserve a refund. Shame on you!!

Hi Pam,

We can offer a full refund to anyone who has paid and is not satisfied for any reason.

We do however, stand by our position.

The separation of the apps is only temporary, and is not because we are targeting sighted users, but because we are transitioning to a mode where the main Fleksy app consumes our own SDK.

Doing Fleksy as an SDK has posed significant technical challenges, and it needs to be 100% robust in order to be used by other developers. It is orders of magnitude harder than simply having our own app on the store. Rest assured, we are making strides and are fully committed to ensuring a great typing experience for our VoiceOver users.

Until we get there, we appreciate your patience.

Best, Kosta Founder @Fleksy

Thank you for your response, I am still of the opinion, making an issue of separating the apps is a step back to the accessibility within our blind community and will damage any future integrity of any developer who may have our interests at heart needing our help as a community to perfect their product. You don’t seem to realize what it means, and has meant to us to be included within the sighted community having the ability to use a single app without worrying about whether or not it was accessible. We as a blind community were used initially to make the app accessible for everyone. That is why it makes no sense to me to separate the apps and make an issue of it to those of us who use voiceover. If you pay attention to your Twitter feed, I’m not the only one who feels this way. I needed more than 140 characters to illustrate my feelings. Again, shame on you!! Your issues with your SDK should not be the issue we as a consumer have to deal with referring to whether or not we have equality within your app. Why release a portion of it making us as the blind community feel as if we are second-class? Do it behind-the-scenes. Do it right. Don’t release it, until it’s correct. Thanks for reading. Pam francis

From Stan:

 Your discussion of having more than one screen access program is really quite important.  Let me give a real world example of how this plays out.  I work 20 hours a week at a genealogy library in the Medford, Oregon area.  I use both System Access and Window-Eyes.  I also have NVDA loaded on my home system.  I have access to WE at my worksite and I have SA on a thumb drive.  I do research at multiple websites at work I have both firefox and ie as web browsers.  There are sites where SA works more seemlessly than does WE.  On the other hand, firefox isn't able to be used with System Access because of the way that our website is configured. Because I also use docuscanplus from Serotek, I am able to scan pdfs in my work.  Twice a month we have to fill out timesheets that have to be scanned and sent to the service that pays me, the mighty docuscan is there to save the day so I need less sighted assistance.  

Although I can use WE to access my bank’s bill payment system, it is much easier and less of a pain to do what I do with System Access. In other words in terms of access technology, screen readers like web browsers work differently in different situations. Sorry for the long email. Keep up the good work.

Roundabout

5 things successful people do before 8 AM

Why music slows down when you yawn

Welcome to this week’s edition of the SeroTalk podcast where Jamie, Ricky and Joe discuss the top news stories of the week. Topics covered in this episode include:

News in A T

SeroSpectives: This Year in Tech for 2013

Announcing the AppleVis Golden Apples of 2013

iPad, Not the Most Economical Choice for Blind Consumers

Testing Android Accessibility: I Give Up

App Turns Smartphone Into Virtual Cane for the Blind

Hey iOS peeps! Now you can school your Android friends in SpellStack . Grab us on the App Store!

Digit-Eyes 2.0 has a completely NEW and simplified user interface design plus NEW other New features

Why Do We Fear the Blind? – NYTimes.com

Here’s the Braille Challenge song

Mainstream Matters

CES 2014: Wearables, connected appliances, automated cars, and curved TVs

Yikes! Target’s data breach now could affect 110M people

Snapchat apologizes for leaked user data, updates app to let you opt out of ‘Find Friends’

Windows 8.1 update images pop up online

Why the Kindle Fire HDX is a far better tablet than the iPad

World’s First Commercially Available Self-Driving Car Launches

Here’s What Happens To Your iPhone In The Bitter Cold

Mailbag

From Pam Francis

Hi folks, I am curious to know whether Serotek as a company makes a practice of reaching out to mainstream app developers to educate them on accessibility of their apps &/or web pages. In most cases, as we all know, paying attention to the tech community it can be achieved without disturbing the “pretty” app or website. As a community, we all are, or should be grateful for the strides having been made in accessibility, opening a world to us allowing for more independence & education to current events etc.

As was so eloquently stated in your latest podcast, one truly needs to find a balance between blindness specific apps & mainstream apps to achieve maximum productivity in any area.

While we praise companies such as Amazon for finally allowing us accessibility to their products & library, I think at year’s end, we also need to take note of the apps or sites that have been broken that may have been previously accessible if for no other reason than by accident. If these previously accessible web pages or apps have been broken due to ignorance of the standards, I would think, if done constructively said developers would be open to modification of their app or website to achieve accessibility as was done prior to their upgrade.

I am also curious to know if any of you know of any site that offers any kind of interactive classes, especially dealing with Android. I am part of the eyes free list. Fortunately, there a lot of knowledgeable folks up there. However, I still have questions that don’t lend themselves to an email, not knowing if or when one will respond. There used to be a chat site called we the people. They were recreational while offering classes in many areas, i.e. helping one to learn a given screen reader etc. I am in no way saying the podcasts aren’t helpful, They are an excellent tool. However, other than the emails written commenting on stories, they are not interactive. Please in no way don’t take this as destructive criticism. It is not meant that way. I also heard you mention speakqualizer. I wish to this day there was a hardware equivalent. Speakqualizer was my first interaction with a computer. I had a friend with no vision who allowed me a temporary stint in his home. He used it with a monochrome monitor. I was used to trying to paste my nose to any screen be it TV or otherwise. This thing forced me to listen. It also allowed one to examine the post before DOS launched. If one knew what they were doing, one could make innumerable tweaks to one’s computer with that thing.

Speaking of early speech software, Who remembers Vert? I had to learn that program in Florida & be proficient enough in it for employment. I still have a laptop around here somewhere with a 20 meg hard drive with DOS 3.3 running Vert & Word Perfect 5.0. I also think there is not enough credit given to instructors who deal with us who have partial vision. There ar those of us who want to use our vision to its maximum, at times without considering the safety or lack of productivity in doing so. I say this because the lady who taught me Vert, actually took away my computer monitor, forcing me to pay attention to my headphones & interact with the keyboard. Without her diligence & perseverance I would not have been able to learn voiceover independently. I still use magnification, yet have learned when it is most productive to use one or the other. I know there’s more, yet I think this is enough for one email. Thank all of you for your tireless work. Sincerely, Pam Francis

From Jenine Stanley:

Interesting discussion of a blog post challenging the use of descriptors for our population.

I have to laugh at our CEO at the Guide Dog Foundation. He is one of the biggest supporters of our community and accessibility there is, but he also likes to have lots of lights on in our facility, even when the people he serves say they cause a lot of glare and such. He’s cool about it when told that they are too bright but here’s an example of how he handles it which I find highly amusing.

CEO walks into room where blinds are drawn because of afternoon glaring sunlight. All of the people in the room are sighted. I am on speaker phone.

CEO Opens blinds. “Sorry, we light dependant people need well, light.”

Everyone squints and says it’s too bright. He closes blinds part way.

I note to group that we as human beings are all light dependant. Some of us just can’t perceive it, which breaks us into a discussion about Seasonal Affective Disorder, that is totally off the point of our meeting.

We often tease our CEO that there’s “light dependant” and then there’s “Really light Dependant”. He asks if that’s the same as partials and totals. Uh, yeah.

Jenine Stanley

Blog comment from Rynhardt Kruger:

Are you able to update the version of Talkback on the device? The newest Talkback lets you enable the old gestures for changing reading granularity. Also, did the “focus speech audio” talkback setting have any effect on the ducking issue?

Roundabout

How gaming can help blind people navigate buildings in real life

The Beauty of Space Comes to the Visually Impaired

Listen to Strange Sounds Recorded in a Hole 5 Miles Deep

About Our Presenters

Erin Edgar is a lawyer currently working for Legal Aid, which is a non-profit lawfirm that assists low-income clients with various issues. She and her husband, Rodney, co-host a podcast called Tech Access Weekly which focuses on news and events  in assistive and mainstream technology. She also co-hosts the Book Hoarders Annonymous Podcast, which is dedicated to book lovers of all persuasions. Follow her on Twitter, or reach her via email.

Jason Meddaugh is a cofounder of BlindBargains.com, one of the most popular deals and news websites for the blind and visually impaired. He also manages A T Guys, a website featuring low-cost tech gadgets and accessories. He is also a cohost on That Android Show. Follow him on Twitter.

Jamie Pauls, [Producer and host of the SeroTalk Podcast, plays keyboard professionally, and has shared the stage several times with current X Factor winner Tate Stevens. He is a music therapist who has worked with both the elderly and children, and teaches a music Appreciation class one evening a week at a community college. In the current setting, he is best known for his work as Content Director for Serotek. You can follow him on Twitter.

Joe Steinkamp is cohost of the SeroTalk Podcast as well as several other SPN podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter, and can read his personal Top Ten list on his blog.

Top Stories — 6-10

Story 10: X+Y = Math Access

SeroTalk Podcast, including an interview on the T84 Calculator

Story 9: A Tasty Google Treat

That Android Show

Story 8: Real Potential in Access to Set Top Boxes

Comcast Website

Stories 7 and 6: A Tie! Between two A T Giants

Victor Reader Stream: Second Generation

Sendero GPS

This Year at Serotek

Introducing Our New, Redesigned Website

Serotek Ambassadors’ Club is Launched

Serotek Podcast Network Reaches Highest Listener Count Yet

Serotek Launches the Newly Updated Socializer

The Top Five Stories

Story 5: You Down with UEB?

Unified English Braille to become official code in 2016

Story 4: Love Em or Hate em, Apple Gets People Talking

Apple iOS 7 Page

Triple Click Home

Story 3: The Tap Tap See Controversy

Tap Tap See Review

Triple Click Home Interview

Story 2: The Holy Grail of iPhone Apps

Story 1: Amazon Helps and Fights A T in the Same Breath

Kindle Fire HDX Product Page

Kindle Fire HDX: Usable By the Blind At Last?

As the clock races toward Christmas day, are you still frantically racking your brain to figure out what to buy for that special person in your life? Once again, the Serotek team comes to the rescue with our annual holiday review special. As you listen to the podcast, be sure to follow the links below to learn more about the respective products discussed in this podcast–and Merry Christmas!

Lisa Salinger starts us off with a discussion of the FitBit One

She also mentions MyFitnessPal which has become more accessible of late.

Joe Steinkamp reviews the Keurig K75 Platinum Brewing System

The K 75 is a great gift for the person who wants a brewing system if, and this is a big IF!, they don’t mind memorizing menus and buttons. The unit sports a blue backlit screen with hard to see text. And it has a menu system for changing things like cup sizes and the like. Yet, for the package as a whole, it comes with lots of accessories and it has 72oz of coffee or tea at the ready. Its kind of big too, possibly due to the built in K-Cup tray underneath, so you can’t hide it behind the toaster. All and all, it’s a great gift to give someone [especially if you find it for under $149] but you may just want to stick with the Travel Keurig models if you want to avoid all the frills, menus and memorization.

He also recommends Lola Savannah Coffee – Cozy Winter’s Night (Whole Bean)

Next, Ricky Enger discusses four devices that will make your life easier in the kitchen.

Polder 6631-75 Stainless-Steel Sink Strainer with Extending Rubber-Grip Arms

Artisan (2 pk.) Non-Stick Silicon Baking Mat Set. 16 5/8″ x 11″

Edge of Glory Knife Sharpener

Alton Brown Salt Cellar

Buddy Brannan interviews the developer of The Bradley Braille Watch

Matt Campbell helps us be more productive with the Asus Transformer Book T100.

Richard Wells introduces us to Lee Oscar harmonicas.

Finally, Jamie Pauls reviews the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the SeroTalk Podcast. Once again, Jamie, Ricky and Joe pontificate about the news of the week. Then, Jamie sits down with Mike Calvo, director of the AIR Foundation to discuss his recent trip to Columbia and the foundation’s efforts to provide tablets to blind school children in that country. Stories covered in this week’s podcast include:

News in A T

National Federation of the Blind Receives Grant from National Science Foundation

Latest from fleksy about the problem which has caused the app to become unusable

Delivery drones are coming: Jeff Bezos promises half-hour shipping with Amazon Prime Air

Thinking Outside the (Gift) Box

ATU131 – Holiday Shopping Special Episode – Part 1

Online Shopping – Tips from Online Shopaholics

Guide for Individuals with Vision Impairments

FSCast Episode 84, November 2013

This Blog Post is just FREEQING Awesome!

More from the “Comings and Goings” department. My departure from Mushroom FM

The End of an Era, Reflections and Explanations re #MushroomFM

Ringing in the Holidays with a Special Promotion!

Mainstream Matters

Holiday shopping season begins on Thanksgiving

How Shopping Malls Are Adapting In An Online World

Tablets dwarf other holiday tech gifts in CNET survey

30 Days with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2: It’s a Keeper

The Everything Store, review: The rise and rise of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos

Android KitKat: It’s not so sweet for Nexus 4 users

Google chairman Eric Schmidt writes an Android switching guide

What is (still) wrong with Microsoft’s Windows Phone strategy

BlackBerry’s COO and CMO Are Leaving in Executive Shuffle

Mailbag

Blog comment from Mike

I’ve been listening to your show for quite a while, and I really love both the range of subjects and the format. However, halfway through this show I couldn’t help but wonder what got into you. Why do you provide a platform for a person who apparently feels the need to insult every person who for whatever reason takes a more critical position to TapTap See’s latest move, apparently beleiving that anybody who disagrees with his ridiculously oversimplified interpretation of the criticism just has to be mentally ill.

I find this sort of thing completely unacceptable. I’m not going to go into the underlying discussion, you covered a lot of it in the relevant podcast, but I would appreciate it if in the future I could listen to your show without becoming a target of the unreflected ragings of some Monday-morning-football-coach. In my opinion, mutual respect is essential in a public forum, and when you turn from people voicing their opinions to people raging at the rest of the world for not agreeing with their own point of view, then there’s not much point in listening any more. And at least for this episode I definitely lost my taste for it.

From Mario:

I think it’s worth mentioning that there is a petition to help Winamp stay alive, whether thru AOL making it open source via GPL3+, or improving/continuing it’s legacy. http://savewinamp.com/

there is a link to sign the petition. first/last name, email address, street address (or PO Box), city, state, zipcode are required and a comments area is optional.

allot of blind and sighted users I know use Winamp for more than just playing audio/video files.

Roundabout

From Top Tech Tidbits – Dinosaur Discs: Folk Music in America

Check out @Dreamy_lyrics: Screen Locked, Screen Locked

App Saves the Day after Student Robbed at Gunpoint

Join Jamie, Ricky and Joe as they discuss the top stories of the week. Topics included in this episode include:

News in A T

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Ruling in Authors Guild v. Google

2013 Holiday Gift Ideas for Children and Adults with Vision Loss

NVDA 2013.3rc1 released for testing!

The new release of the Voice Dream app is out! Now supporting DAISY 2.02 audiobooks, zipped mp3 files, better PDF text extraction and large library

Sendero GPS LookAround for iOS gets a nice update and goes free:

iTunes Store Now Accepting Donations for Philippine Typhoon Relief

Mainstream Matters

BlackBerry interim CEO: It’s time to reclaim our success, not dwelling on the past

Internet Explorer chief is stepping aside for ‘something new.’ IE will now be run by Windows Phone lead Joe Belfiore

Best Buy halts all HP Chromebook 11 sales, other retailers ‘out of stock’

Facebook Pushes Password Resets After Adobe Hack

Apple releases iOS 7.0.4 with fix for FaceTime call drops

Amazon to Offer Sunday Delivery Via USPS for Prime Members

Nexus 5 Review: The Best Android Can Offer Especially For the Price

Android 4.4 KitKat review: designed by Google, for Google

An iPhone user’s guide to experimenting with a Nexus 5

Mailbag

Blog comment from Dave (

I for one wasn’t surprised by the clamour about Taptapsee going subscription. Many of the common accusations are right on. Yes, it should have been subscription from the start. Simply saying no one knew how popular it would become doesn’t wash. No one knew how popular Jaws would become, and it’s always been a commercial product. I’ll grant that this trick is somewhat new to the tech world, but it isn’t new especially to the blind world. I’ve lost count of the various small startup phone access solutions that have been popularised over the years simply because they were free. All of them have followed the free gaging popularity model before going subscription, after which, of course, popularity dropped precipitously to nonexistence. No, sighted people don’t have to pay, but then again, they wouldn’t even bother with it in the first place because they have no need for it. Yes, disabilities are expensive, so it’s equally true there ain’t no free lunch. I can remember my first experience
downloading Jaws. It was 15 Megs in size and took two hours to download with a dialup connection. I will eventually subscribe to taptapsee both because I need it and because it’s the right thing to do. But would be entreprenewers should take notice also, that simply using the free model to promote a product will only work until people feel they’ve been burned too many times by effectively falling into a trap that they made. For me, it is easier and more justifiable to afford taptapsee than it is a Netflix subscription that offers no audio description.

From Pam Francis

Hi folks,
I would like to take issue with Ricky & her statement of being blind is more expensive.
Serotek as a company has championed accessibility on all levels.
You have your own subscription service that has been subscription based from its inception. I have no issue with it being subscription based. You had the foresight of what it would cost to maintain servers etc. I only wish I could use it. As a mac user, to my knowledge, you don’t support Macs. However, back to my initial comments.
Philanthropy is nice, yet, for a company to develop a service that could be very essential to a blind person’s independence, making it free, then per there own lack of foresight having to charge a subscription is truly disingenuous to those who have grown to depend on the service.
I can’t imagine there isn’t some sort of grant available for this service’s maintenance in order to maintain the service as a free service for the sake of equality.
We all make choices as to what we pay for per month for our given lifestyle. However, with the advent of technology, we are able to buy or subscribe to most anything our sighted counterparts have access to. By the grace of God, I don’t need it for general pictures per the little vision I have. However, I can see a use for reading appliance screens etc.
It hasn’t been that long ago we as blind people were dependent on state agencies to fork over thousands of dollars for equipment related solely to employment. For those who chose to stay home & raise a family, for the most part, mainline accessibility was a dream.
I continue to support your podcasts & appreciate all of your hard work.

Sincerely,
Pam Francis

From Mike Arrigo

Well, I am glad I have found favor with the mail bag and that my messages do appear regularly on the show, smile.
I have actually purchased the swype keyboard, it’s well worth the $3.99. For the android users on the show, I guess that would be Ricky and Joe, I’m curious if you have experienced the issue with the default google keyboard where you find a letter, you lift your finger and that letter is not typed. The google keyboard is very picky about having your finger in exactly the right spot. The swype keyboard is much better about that, I have set it as my default keyboard and have not looked back. The speech recognition also works very well. Find the option to switch to voice input and lift your finger to dictate, then double tap the bottom part of the screen when you are done. It also announces when the keyboard is opening and closing. Also, if you have the suggestion feature enabled, you can slide your finger above the letters and move in a circle to read the suggestions, when you lift your finger, that word is inserted. It’s well worth the purchase in my opinion, I really cannot think of anything bad to say about it.
I was also disappointed at some of the comments on the email lists about tap tap see becoming subscription based. Come on people, it’s not like they are charging several hundred dollars, what they are charging is very reasonable, it drives me nuts when people expect to have everything handed to them for free. I agree with being treated like everyone else, and I don’t think we should have to pay extra to make a product accessible. But this is a bit different, Tap Tap See is providing a service, it’s not required to use the device, but something extra. The people that develop and make the service work need to make a living too. I think these people who are making a big deal out of this need to step back and look at the big picture for what it is.

Roundabout

Driverless Cars Are Further Away Than You Think

Why It’s So Hard To Crack Down On Distracted Driving

Terminally ill boy, whose hometown celebrated an early Christmas to fulfill his last wish, has died

San Francisco to call on ‘Batkid’ to fight crime

Batkid saves the day in San Francisco

Join Jamie Pauls, Ricky Enger and Lisa Salinger as they discuss the top news stories of the week. Topics covered in this episode include:

News in A T

TapTapSee Goes Subscription-based

ONExSENSE: Michael Curran & James Teh at TEDxBrisbane

Mosen Consulting eBook, Tweeting Blind

A List of New iOS 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

David Woodbridge: Main new features of Mavericks using VoiceOver on the Mac air

Click here to report accessibility bugs with Apple products.

Accessible apps for news junkies, no rehab needed

Assistive Technology: A Necessity for Student Success | Matthew Lynch, Ed.D.

ZoomText Mac Tips & Tricks – Installing in Mavericks

Digital Accessible Books for Disabled Veterans

It Began in Colombia

Mainstream Matters

Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 is all about performance

Mysterious Google Barge Is ‘Interactive Space’

New BlackBerry boss John Chen out to prove skeptics wrong

Apple is still shipping Macs with Mountain Lion, not Mavericks

Apple promises to restore some iWork features within six months

Apple Rolls Out Mavericks Update to Fix Email Glitch

Mailbag

From Aaron Linson

As a blind person in college, I use both mainstream and dedicated aka blindnesss specific devices. I am a big believer in braille and have been using a braille note since the first one was introduced in 2000. I use it for a lot of music braille reading and since Preview on the Mac is a pain to use for pdf’s I read those in braille as well. I also have the gps on the braille note apex and also the Samsung Galaxy S4 I have nearby explorer. I think that there are always going to be people who say well you’re not one of us because you don’t use device x or y but, we just need to say that’s your opinion and move on. Thanks, Aaron Linson Producer of The Cast Podcast

From Mike Arrigo

Great show. Regarding the experience on Android that Ricky mentioned, you can actually navigate by web element in chrome using talkback, but the way you do it is not as obvious. Open the local context menu and you will have a navigation option, choosing that will allow you to navigate by web element. I agree that using firefox probably offers the best web experience. There are some interesting changes in android 4.4, I’m actually thinking of getting the nexus 5, not sure yet. For one thing, web views in applications are now handled by the chrome browser. Also, apparently you can set what are called live regions which will bipass explore by touch, this would be very useful for applications such as fleksy. I have not installed mavericks yet, I prefer to wait until at least the first major update so any major bugs can be fixed. Glad Buddy is enjoying his new kindle fire HDX. Hopefully the stand alone kindle app will become accessible as well.

And also from Mike

Ricky and Joe will probably be the most interested in this. The swype keyboard from nuance is now accessible on android. There is a trial if you want to play with it before purchasing it. You can read the corrections, and, if you want to dictate, you can using dragon’s speech recognition, which is the same dictation that is used on IOS. Pretty cool for sure.

Roundabout

San Francisco Will Become Gotham City to Make Child’s Wish of Being ‘Batkid’ Come True

Million-Year Data Storage Disk Unveiled

It’s the official end of an era: Blockbuster just threw in the towel

Welcome to this froggy edition of the podcast where show host Jamie Pauls fights with a scratchy throat but prevails nonetheless. Ricky and Joe lend their support as the team talks about the top news stories of the week. Then, a less raspy Jamie Pauls visits with Buddy Brannan about his experiences using the new Kindle Fire HDX with built-in Accessibility. Stories covered in this episode include:

Papa Sangre II on the App Store on iTunes

FSCast Episode 83, October 2013

ZoomText 10.1.2 is Released!

Announcing: Braille Sense U2 MINI

A Demonstration of Some of the English TTS Voices Available to VoiceOver users in OS X Mavericks

A Picture’s Worth A Thousand Words

FCC adopts TV rules for blind and deaf

Beyond a gadget: Google Glass is a boon to disabled

Which Android smartphones and tablets will get the KitKat upgrade?

Apple testing Mail update for OS X Mavericks to fix Gmail, stability, and smart mailbox issues

The case against Gmail

Google donates 17,000 Nexus 7s to Hurricane Sandy communities

Apple admits iPhone 5S battery problem, replaces phones

Southwest & Dish to provide passengers in-flight entertainment via Apple’s iPad 2

Amazon increases free shipping minimum to $35

Amazon Offers Low-Cost Kindle Versions of Print Books with “MatchBook”

Amazon will now donate part of your purchase to charity

Roundabout

The Adventure Blog: Blind Adventurer Erik Weihenmayer Temporarily Detained In Peru

The Blind Have A Hard Time Getting Jobs Because Of Social Stigma

Dell has been selling Ultrabooks that smell like cat urine

Welcome to this very spooky edition of the SeroTalk Podcast. Will Jamie, Ricky and Joe be able to pick their way through this week’s maze of stories? Is the mailbag finally over its cold? These and many other intriguing mysteries await you in this week’s episode of the show.

Papa Sangre II (Official Launch Trailer)

End of Line » EOL Extra: Halloween, Ghosts, and the Number 27?

a trip through a haunted maze by Drew Webber

Blind Bargains: Ian Humphreys of Spoonbill Software Has Just Released Six New Games

A Fresh Season of Updates

My experience with an Android product, and my return to the iPhone

Android 4.4 KitKat more for TVs than phones, report says

Samsung patents smartphone-connected ‘sports glasses’ that could compete with Google Glass

Microsoft reportedly testing its own version of Google Glass

Google’s iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary

The Rave Reviews For BlackBerry’s BBM App Might Be Fake

Samsung Paid Commenters to Write Negative HTC Reviews

The Decline of Wikipedia: Even As More People Than Ever Rely on It, Fewer People Create It

iPad vs. Galaxy vs. Nexus vs. Kindle vs. Surface: Which tablet should you get?

Why Apple’s A7 Chip Will Really Shine in the iPad Air

Mavericks: The end of Macs in the enterprise?

Microsoft cuts another $100 off first-generation Surface Pro price

Mailbag

Blog comment from Russ Kiehne

Listening to The Kindle Chronicles podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/thekindlechronicles/blogListeing to Len Edgerly has a weekly tech tip. One of these tech tips is how to use dropbox with a Kindle fire.

I was wondering, will Serotek be doing An Accessibility Review of The new Amazon Kindle fire hd and hdx with built in accessibility?

From Luis:

Hi guys & lady,

After listening to your episode 174, there are a lot of stuff I would like to reply to. Specially replying to one of your iReports you had. But I rather share something similar that happened in Houston at the beginning of this year.

It relates to your story about the $20, the blind customer. and the good deed. This story, I’m pasting because it also hit home with something that the school I work for has been doing for the past 3 years. That is the campaign of “Spread the Word, to End the Word”. Which relates to the word “Retard”. I won’t bored you with the details. But, with this deed that the employee did towards the blind customer. Here’s a similar news story that a waiter did for a special needs child.

Waiter refuses to serve customers who insulted special needs child Friday, January 18, 2013 Miya Shay

HOUSTON (KTRK) — A waiter at a restaurant near downtown took a stand for a special needs child. Now, support is flowing in from all over, thanking the waiter and the restaurant, Laurenzo’s on Washington. The waiter has been working at the restaurant for about two years, and the family members at the heart of the story have been regular customers about the same length of time. But it’s what took place two days ago that has a lot of people talking. Michael Garcia loves serving his customers. On Wednesday night he greeted two groups of regulars — Kim Castillo and her family, and another group who sat in the adjacent booth. “So we were sitting there and all of a sudden I noticed that the family across from us got up and moved to the back of the restaurant,” Castillo said. “I thought, I wonder if they’re moving because of us?” The Castillo group included five-year-old Milo, who has Down syndrome. But neither Milo’s mom Kim nor Garcia could have imagined why the other family moved. Garcia recalled, “I didn’t think much of it until I heard him say, ‘Special needs children need to be special somewhere else.'” After hearing that, Garcia just reacted. “It was very disturbing,” he said. “My personal feelings just took over and I told this man, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t serve you.'” That family quickly left. But it wasn’t until later in the evening that the Castillo family found out that their waiter had stood up for their son. Kim Castillo said, “What went through my mind was that I was just so impressed and felt so good that somebody would stand up for another human being.” Garcia said, “It upset me because he’s a five-year-old little boy. He’s an angel. He’s precious!” Since then support has poured in, from the Internet and from regular customers. Customer Bill Baker said, “I think he did the right thing — there’s the door.” And most of all, he earned the thanks of a grateful Castillo family. Kim said, “He’s good in our book!” Garcia says if the other customers return, he will serve them just like anyone else. As for the Castillo family, they plan to remain loyal customers.

From Timothy Hornik

Greeting Serotalk Team,


I greatly appreciated the article from Scientific America on why some with visual impairments possess capabilities to understand higher rates of speech. Often people ask me the same questions you all stated if blindness has enhanced my hearing. Instead of entering into a conversation of what happens, the link will help. One thing I have noticed with my ability, it is voice dependent, plus it took a long time to acclimate to the rate. Is this something you all experienced?

When the article mentioned Brain Strokes, it lead me to wonder if they will test for whether neuro-protective or nuero-plasticity factors helps with this phenomenon for those later in life blinded. Some examples of these includes playing music or speaking multiple languages, especially if learned early in life.

To toss in a grey area population, how about those who lose site in their mid 20’s? At this age, the brain has completed its adolescent development. In particular, I am thinking of my fellow war blinded comrades, but will caveat that this depends on the nature of the injury.

Thinking about this population, I am interested in learning your thoughts on the differences between low vision and functionally blind. This topic captivated my attention and have researched it along with talking with a couple of nuero-ophthalmologists at a convention recently.


Thank you for your assistance,
Timothy Hornik

Roundabout

Why We Hate Change

Why you think your phone is vibrating when it is not

Welcome to SeroTalk Podcast 173, where Jamie, Ricky and Joe discuss the top news stories of the week. Topics covered in this episode include:

Shutdown Slams Blind Merchants

2013 Employment Resources for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

ReadIt Air Now Shipping Vision Air International

GWSocialEyes Price Change Coming Soon

Turn on Accessibility Features on your Kindle Fire HD or Kindle Fire HDX:

Review of the Kindle Fire HDX

Eye surgeon Anthony Vipin Das has created shoes that see for the blind

Disney invents touchscreen that lets you feel textures

Apps on iPhone 5S more crash-prone than other models

Apple reportedly cutting iPhone 5C production in half

Apple’s iPad event reportedly set for October 22

Twitter to let you watch TV through a tweet

Samsung import ban in effect after President Obama declines to veto ITC order

Leaked Doc Provides More Nexus 5 Details

Android 4.4 KitKat: The seven things we know so far

PayPal Lets You Pay With QR Codes

On Kickstarters and Sandwiches

Mailbag

Hi SeroTalk Podcast Team (whoever you may be this week), My name is Kelsey and I live in England. As a listener to your show for almost a year now (wow!), this is my first time contributing to the show. Whilst sitting on the train earlier last week, a rather interesting thought came to me. Android, as we all know, is skinned by hardware and software developers. For example, HTC phones and Nexus devices, besides their hardware, look completely different. Of course, many blind people know this due to the frustration of inaccessible UIs. Well, I was thinking, do you think creators of Windows 8 tablets may start to introduce this? With the Surfaces (Surfi?) being the equivalent of a Google Nexus with Android and then other manufacturers (Acer, Del etc) skinning Windows to make it unique. With MicroSoft’s cooperation, there is a strong possibility that Windows may start heading this way. How do you think this would effect accessibility? Do you think it would begin to fragment the same way TalkBack does on several Android phones and tablets? Moving a little further into this fantasy Android meets the all-mighty Windows, could the desktop, for want of a better word, die? Could the Windows 8 start screen take over and the desktop vanish? Personally, I believe that laptop/desktop computers should have the desktop and the new start screen however the tablet version of Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT should just have an all-inclusive start screen and scrap the desktop.
This would likely start a we hate MicroSoft uprising in the mainstream community because, as we know, the start screen has not been adopted with the open arms that MicroSoft were obviously hoping for. As a user of Windows 8 for over a year now (I got it the day it came out), I have fallen in love with the new UI and think this is a great plan for the future of desktop computing. Yes, a few tweaks here and there are required for an optimal experience but for those people who are not ready for a fully touch-based experience just yet, Windows 8 is still a lovely operating system. Really, I believe that tablet computing is the future of consumer business and over here, laptops and desktops alike are not yet becoming extinct but they’re not as popular as they were say three or four years back. Many people do have a love hate relationship with Windows 8 and I understand that fully. I’m sure in 2015 – 2016 everyone will find something else to moan about, we’ll all be used to the start screen, MicroSoft will change it again based on the complaints of 2012 – 2013 and we’ll all moan once more! I love your show and hope you keep up the good work for years to come where you can talk about new technologies as it comes along. Thanks, Kelsey

P S: Jo, I can’t wait for the next Apple event (potentially scheduled for October apparently). I’m sure you’re as excited as I am!

Roundabout

Colorado sixth-grader’s beer-making experiment headed for space

My Daughter’s Homework Is Killing Me

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

Welcome to what turned out to be one of the longest SeroTalk podcasts ever. Jamie, Ricky and Joe had a lot to say about this week’s news. Also, Alena Roberts brings us an interview with the developers of the iOS game CodeName Cygnus. Of course, your feedback is the icing on the cake and we have a lot of mail for you to read this month. Let’s get started, shall we?

Blind Bargains: The New Kindle Fire Has New Accessibility Features , Perhaps for Real This Time

Amazon Launches Kindle Fire HDX Tablets, Fire OS 3.0

2013: The Year of Books for Blinks

Sony Walkman Range Updated With New Android 4.1 Equipped Devices

Reading Kindle Books on Your iOS Device: A Quick Reference Guide

Bookshare now available through the CNIB Library!

Please upgrade to FaceBook version 6.5.1 to get notifications read back with VoiceOver on iOS.

Disney tightens up resort disability program

Stevie Wonder Speaks Up For Children With Disabilities

Blind Bargains: NBC Announces Over 100 Hours of Coverage for the 2014 and 2016 Paralympics

Web Engineer: “Help Apple shape the future of UI interaction patterns and accessibility on the Web.”

Talking Windows 7 Pre-installation Environment

Unveiling the Serotek Ambassadors’ Club

Accessible Games

New RPG puts players in the shoes of a blind hero

? Three Monkeys Development Trailer

Three Monkeys – Yoska Monologue

Wewrite

Papa Sangre Sequel To Star None Other Than Famed English Actor Sean Bean

Valve fires up SteamOS, its bid for living room PC gaming

Valve’s Steam Machine prototype to ship early to 300 lucky players

Gaming with the kids is gaining popularity according to new report

T-Mobile dropping BlackBerry from in-store retail selection

BlackBerry Accepts $4.7 Billion Buyout Offer

Unofficial iMessage app for Android appears, likely unsafe

Bill Gates: ‘Control+Alt+Delete’ Was a Mistake

Mailbag

Mike Arrigo writes:

Lots of good stuff covered in this show. I do hope the NLS app comes to android soon as well. I’ve heard rumors that the company they contracted with to develop the app really messed things up, so it could be a while, but I hope that’s not the case, but I do wish they would have released them both at the same time. Since I got my iphone 5 in July, I will not be upgrading. My next phone will probably be a galaxy s 3, the s 4 still costs more than I am willing to pay but the 3 has great hardware specs still. I upgraded to IOS 7 the day it came out, it is working fine on my iphone 5. I agree with Jamie about the new app switcher, it’s much better I think. Really though, if this was an overhall of the platform, I don’t notice anything really major. Itunes radio is nice. Admitedly, I’m disappointed that some of the limitations were not removed. You still cannot change your default keyboard, I was really hoping that would be permitted. You still cannot install other system voices, I will talk more about voices in a minute, and there is still no file management, this is something every other operating system, whether mobile or desktop provides. I’m not saying I want IOS to become Android, but I do want the ability to customize my device the way I want it, and I don’t want a brick wall between me and it’s files. Transferring content to an iphone is still much more difficult than it needs to be. Ok, regarding voices. The reason there are some differences is because IOS 7 is using a new version of the vocalizer TTS engine. Previous versions used what is called vocalizer automotive, IOS 7 uses the newest version, it’s called vocalizer expressive. For some languages, the voices are totally different now, and some users are not happy with the new voices. I read the post of one user who is actually thinking about switching to android because the voice in his language is awful. He likes the acapela voices for his language, but again, you cannot install those as system voices like you can in Android.

From Jordan Gallacher

Hello, A couple of comments about iOS 7 after listening to your most recent podcast. First, I am happy to say there was an update to the Facebook app that fixed the problem of not being able to get to the notifications. Here are the things I don’t like about iOS 7. First, for some strange reason, my e-mail messages are all now starting at the end of iPhone for my signature. I liked it better when it would automatically start at the top on the first blank line. Here is my two biggest problems I have noticed with my bluetooth keyboard. As you mentioned, the Control key does not stop the speech like it used to. My other issue is that my F11 key is not working as it was in iOS 6 to get back to the Home screen and open the App Switcher. Annoyes me that I now really can’t be across the room from my phone and get back to the Home screen using my bluetooth keyboard. Other than those issues, I have been quite happy with iOS 7. Hopefully enough people complain about the things that are not working right that Apple will have to fix them, especially the bluetooth keyboard issues. Regards, Jordan

Jenine Stanley says:

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the Echo demo. You succeeded in either bringing back memories or inducing PTSD, not sure which at the moment.

I got my first computer back in 1988 and I agree with Ricki about the sheer novelty of having a thing that echoed your keystrokes and that you could actually, in some cases, manipulate faster than a sighted person.

I was fascinated with linguistics at that point in my life and began taking classes at Ohio State with the hope of working on synthetic speech. Of course the Linguistics Department was not exactly aware of synthetic speech back then and directed me toward the computer folks who didn’t know about it either. Ah, once again way ahead of my time.

Then I went to work for a company called Computer Conversations which made the Verbal Operating System VOS. We also worked on a speech synthesizer called the Verbette. Yes, that really was the name and no I did not come up with it.

The speech was based on the same chip set used in most of the synthesizers at that time, I believe the SSI1 chip. What we did that was slightly different was to add controls for articulation and inflection which were soon added to synthesizers like the Artic products. It was also a parallel port device about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I still have one of the first run models in my computer junk museum box.

Part of my job on that project was to go through the pronunciation tables to correct or tweak anything to give the speech a more Midwestern accent as opposed to East Coast or Valley Girl.

From there I was sparked to find more, different and better speech synthesizers. OK, don’t shoot me but I loved the Double Talk and Triple Talk. Yes, they could be annoying but for the time, they offered a much more fluid, natural sounding speech. I don’t speed speech up much but I do mess with pitch and tone.

Then we got to the point where software based speech was not only possible but varied. Yay! I must own a ton of software synthesizer programs from the really good, Ivona and Nuance, to the really scary, too numerous to mention. My current favorite, which has been on my desktop PC for a couple years now, is Ivona’s Kendra. Ivona’s Joey is on my work laptop.

I really like the male Siri voice with the new inflection. Oh how I wish that one was available for Voice Over. I’m using the Irish English Voice Over for now, though I do like the South African voice.

And yes, I too loath Samantha! She sounds way too much like a former coworker at another job whom I could not stand.

I can only imagine the voice actors convention, a bit like running into NLS narrators at national conventions. You stand there in the elevator listening and think, “Hey, that guy sounds familiar. Who is he?”

Then you realize you’re staring at Jack Fox. Oops. Luckily he found it funny.

Then you run into a voice you can’t stand and say so, not knowing said narrator is standing about 3 feet away. Again, oops.

My final foot-in-mouth moment happened when I was browsing the APH booth at a convention a while back and asked one of the people his name. Roy Avers spoke up and I blubbered that he sounded nothing like he did when reading. I got the feeling he heard that a lot because he just sighed and went on processing my order. Gee, even telling him he was the voice of Isaac Asimov didn’t help. Imagine that?

Jenine Stanley

Bob Reid says:

Hi once again. If you look deep into the comments on the Youtube video, it is suggested that Susan C. Bennett is the old voice of Siri and Samantha and not Allison Dufty as so many are assuming. Apparently, Steve Jobs chose her personally. This could very well be the case as Susan’s lower register matches Samantha, “s’s” included. Check out the demos on her website. http://www.susancbennett.com/ Bob.

Wayne Mills writes in to say:

Hi Ricky, Jamie, Patrick and Joe,

I’m not really prone to sending mails (except for my other one) but I felt I should write because I was really worried about you all after this podcast. What has happened ? It seemed like I had entered an IOS twilight zone where I didn’t recognised what you were all saying about IOS7. It felt as though you had all woken up on chrismas day and didn’t get the Christmas present you thought you were going to get!

I thought I should offer a bit of support for IOS7. After reading my own mail though, I realise I sound like an Apple fan boy but I’m not really – just saying what my actual experience was on installing IOS7. I do say that I am a loyal customer though simply because of the huge difference the iPone and Mac has made to my independent lifestyle. It essentially has reached the status of being a personal assistant in many respects.

I’m using the 4S and I’m not really able to say that there is any significant slowing of my phone. Possibly ever so slightly spongy on the odd app but nothing significant. It is certainly not creaking and cracking under the strain of IOS 7. I wonder if almost full memory may be responsible for the slowing that others have reported on their devices.

Having said that, I do wonder if there might be a deliberate attempt to slow the OS slightly as mentioned in order to encourage an upgrade to the 5S. The Os was not a significant installation size and I don’t see anything that I would think would be taxing on the hardware really that ought to result in some people’s reported experience. §.

Patrick, I want to put your mind at ease in relation to Daniel’s voice. That nasty voice that starts on initialising IOS7 is just an initialisation voice. Once configured, you simply choose the high quality voices you want to use. don’t forget, the blind community were asking to be able to choose multiple voices and Apple have provided that. I have chosen the English; Irish; Australian and French high quality voices that all work perfectly well. I have had no stuttering or difficulty. I can change them through the rotor for the material I am reading.

Do remember, the compact voice for IOs 6 was also not pleasant to listen to unless you were using the high quality voice for the region you are in. .

What about the improvements in Siri? The voice recognition is much improved. You can ask Siri to read your mails as a group; by subject or by sender’s name or date received. You can send an e-mail interactively. You can also perform these tasks for messages. Because the voice recognition is much more accurate, it is a much smoother activity and not quite the fight we used to have at times in IOS 6.

Siri will also get information from Widipedia when you want to know about a particular subject and this feature often provides the immediate answer to many questions. You can go to the full article if you need to.

What about the handwriting feature? Of course, many blind people have acquired their sight issues later in life. the handwriting feature allows a person who has difficulty with a touch keyboard to handwrite their pass code; their mail or text message. Even a letter if they wished. The handwriting feature can also teach a blind child about the shapes of print for signature etc. In my case, I have used a mixture of all three input options. the handwriting option is really helpful to input the passcode because it does not announce the key press. Great when I’m in a public place. ll

I am a blind user of the phone so don’t know much about the low vision issues but I believe there are options to increase contrast and boldness in the accessibility settings and that these do offer significant improvement to the standard screen. That may help some people with the visual issues of the screen depending on their eye condition. I’d be interested in knowing if these options do offer any significant improvement generally.

Joe, I do like you and you are a bonnie lad but I think you are developing your very own Android distortion field – it might be the same Apple distortion field that has mutated and infected your space ! I think Apple ring tones seem to bother you a bit but like other devices, you can just download some more if you’d like you know. Just like other mobiles.

I know you like to evangelise about Talkback and how its open source contributions mean that there are advantages in the updating of its software. Of course that is true but only to an extent. The updates you refer to have been developing for some years now and they are still not equal to the OS integration of voiceover. Having said that, I am really pleased that there is competition for its own sake in terms of building our opportunities for mainstream inclusion in design.

I also have to say that it is not quite fair to say that there is closed communication in the Apple environment.I have e-mailed developers and Apple on a number of occasions and have found all to be open and willing to respond to concerns and interest. Apple developers do seem to be keen on responding to accessibility issues when they are made aware of them and an Apple market means that they can direct accessibility to a clearly identified disability group re: their time and intellectual investment..

Anyway, just throwing a thought into the ring just to get Joe to bite …

Thanks to you all for your show, always good to listen to at triple speed on downcast !

Warm regards Wayne

Roundabout

Maybe You Get Bad Customer Service Because You’re a Bad Customer

Audioboo / brief demo of Milton, an electronic memory game

Blind man’s guide dog dies after pushing young boy from path of speeding car

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

This week, Jamie, Ricky and Joe return to their familiar places on the podcast. Topics discussed in this week’s episode include:

Extra Extra, Read all About it: the NLS Bard Mobile app is on its way!

JAWS 15 Public Beta

NCBI Podcast #16 Features Sendero GPS, the Serotek Socializer, and more

Amazon.com: Out of the Whirlpool: A Memoir of Remorse and Reconciliation eBook: Sue Wiygul Martin: Kindle Store

ATI Seminar Subscription

Keyboard shortcuts – Perform common Firefox tasks quickly

Homophones are Not Mistaken in Braille

Keeping Students with Disabilities Safe from Bullying

National Federation of the Blind Comments on Gun Ownership by Blind Individuals

Apple launches iPhone 5C: Color, costs aimed at emerging markets

2015: 64-bit ARM chips in iPhone 5S serve up taste of Intel-free future for Apple

Apple provides details on Touch ID’s privacy features

What’s right (and wrong) with the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s

10 new iOS 7 features for the enterprise

iCloud Keychain Removed in iOS 7 GM

OS X 10.8.5 update more than doubles 802.11ac file transfer speeds

Blast Processing

Microsoft’s Cortana shapes up to take on Siri, Google Now

Facebook suddenly deletes Social Fixer’s Facebook pages

Facebook testing videos that autoplay in mobile News Feed

Mailbag

From Luis

Hi Jamie, Joe, Ricky, or whom ever else that will join this week’s podcast,

After just finishing listening to Podcast 168 and listening to RoundAbout. The last story covered about the Simpson’s creator finding funny with his cancer fight. It reminds me about a story on CBS’s Today show back in February. On how creative a cancer survivor became with his wealth. Here’s the story that I got back then from a Houston morning show. By the way, as far as I know, no one has located the treasure yet, but be aware. That people have needed to be rescued when trying to follow the clues. Enjoy.

This Riddle Will Lead You To Millions! If You Can Solve It! Sarah Pepper February 28, 2013 A man was dying of cancer and so he hid a box with jewels and treasure in it! He wrote a riddle and if you can solve it the treasure is yours! I know, sounds like “The Goonies” but it is legit, it was on the “Today Show”! Here is the riddle. “The Thrill of the Chase”. As I have gone alone in there And with my treasures bold, I can keep my secret where, And hint of riches new and old. Begin it where warm waters halt And take it in the canyon down, Not far, but too far to walk. Put in below the home of Brown. From there it’s no place for the meek, The end is drawing ever nigh; There’ll be no paddle up your creek, Just heavy loads and water high. If you’ve been wise and found the blaze, Look quickly down, your quest to cease But tarry scant with marvel gaze, Just take the chest and go in peace. So why is it that I must go And leave my trove for all to seek? The answers I already know I’ve done it tired, and now I’m weak So hear me all and listen good, Your effort will be worth the cold. If you are brave and in the wood I give you title to the gold. Happy hunting!

From Mike Arrigo

The plextalk update is really good. Samantha actually sounds decent now, that was a change that is long overdue. I used to have a tech net subscription and I’m also sorry to see this disappear. It was a great way to get access to Microsoft software at a good price, and it’s how I got windows 7. I don’t know, some of the decisions Microsoft is making these days do not seem to be in their best interest. I have yet to hear anyone say that they really like windows 8, now they’re purchasing Nokia’s hardware division, and they’re discontinuing a service that is clearly still in demand. they are going to have to rethink some things if they intend to remain competitive.

Roundabout

First Blind Solo Kayaker Goes Down Entire Length of Grand Canyon

Why Do We Clap?

Surgeon live-streams knee repair with Google Glass

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Replay the Accessible Event archive of SeroSpectives: This Month in Tech for August

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

Byron Lee is a Ham Radio Operator (KC9EEK), Broadcast Personality, Audio Engineer, Voice Over Artist, Web Designer, IT Professional, and most importantly, a huge geek! When asked about Byron, people often say “He’s just this guy, ya’ know?” He is currently employed by Horizons for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired, and is currently working on the DirectionsForMe project, a one stop source for accessible packaging information.

In addition, Byron hosts two Internet radio shows. The Talk Zone is a two hour program about adaptive technology, disability rights, science fiction, pop-culture, and just about any other topic. The Fun Zone is a one hour program featuring comedy music. His shows are simulcast on ACB Radio Mainstream, Radio Free Dishnuts, The Beyond Radio Network, and Dementia Radio. He has also been involved in other radio shows and podcasts, and is a frequent contributor on the SeroTalk Podcast Network. Find out more about Byron on his website

Joe Orozco handles marketing for Serotek. He is a freelance writer and aspiring author of young adult horror. You can learn more about Joe at his website

MICROSOFT

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to retire within the next year

Windows 8.1 shipping, online and physically, on October 18th

New Windows 8.1 build reveals built-in tutorial and tips

ANDROID

Hands on: New Nexus 7 review

Nexus 7 receives bug fix update, should solve multitouch and GPS issues

APPLE

Report: iOS 7 may come to iPhones and iPod touches first, iPads later

ASSISTIVE TECH

Announcing the Newest Inductees into the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame

HIMS Releases Braille Edge 40 1.1 Upgrade with .RTF, .DOCX Support, More

New version of Nearby Explorer, Here’s what’s New

Announcing the release to the Apple Store of the first update to The Seeing Eye GPS app for the iPhone, version 1.1.

NVDA 2013.2 now Available

The Next Chapter

Moving Forward

GENERAL TECH

Twitter has a new dedicated accessibility team

Inclusive Gaming

Interview with Donald Katz, CEO & Founder of Audible.com

Maurie and Jeremy are still enjoying the summer vacation season. But Rodney, Byron and joe pick up where they left off a few episodes ago with some new hardware options for tablets, TVs and scanning. Oh, and be sure to see the Mailbag as it has a fantastic observation from last month’s discussion on recognizing people.

StandScan:

We start the show off with a discussion of this neat cardboard based appliance that rolls in with a $19 or $29 option. While interesting, it may not replace your traditional flatbed scanning solution any time soon. Still, its fairly inexpensive if you want to try it out. Rodney and Erin elaborate more on the unit they tested in a Tech Access Weekly Democast.

Google Nexus 7 and Chromecast:

Rodney continues the plethora of review goodness with his thoughts on the new Google Nexus 7 (2013). He has seen the original Nexus 7, and of course has a few types of iPads lying around, so he is able to give some low vision comparison musings on this tablet. And, even more hardware!, he tells Byron and Joe about his fun with the new Google Chromecast.

As with the Stand Scan, you can hear even more about both devices in another Tech Access Weekly Democast.

And for another take on Chromecast, check out what JJ had to say on the latest “That Android Show”…

App Review: iAssociate 2 HD

Joe needed something to do while waiting for his solara gold and food to restock. His co workers at Serotek had the answer, and the revenge for getting them all hooked on Solara, with the recommendation of iAssociate 2. It seems that their obsession with this word matching game was just as bad as Joe’s for the game he imposed on all of them. And now they want to get all of you on board with their addiction. Soon you will be linking associations with words in ways you never imagined. How is South Park’s Eric Cartman associated with bones and cakes? If you didn’t already know, you will soon as typing in the right answers helps you defeat these fiendish word puzzles.

Mailbag:

We knew the topic of recognition of men and women was something many low vision people experience, however from the blog comment listed below, we had no idea how this could become even more complicated outside the U.S.. Zivan Krisher says: “Hello, In High Contrast Episode 13, you really hit a note with me on the subject of gender recognition. I live in Israel and Hebrew is a gender specific language. Even nouns have a gender let alone words that refer to people. For example a car is female a computer is male. Thankfully we are less formal over here and I do not need to say ma’am or sir to anyone in daily life. The word “sorry” is gender neutral. It’s not as polite as “excuse me”, but can serve well enough. However the word “you” is gender specific. “At” = female “Ata” = male. So a sentence like:” I’m sorry can you please help me…”, Is still loaded with gender. German is also gender specific, but at least when it comes to plural you can use “Sie” witch is actually also the polite way to approach someone you don’t know. In Hebrew, even the plural of you is gender specific, “Aten” = female, “Atem” = male. However unless all the people you’re addressing are female, it is customary to use the male version of plural “you”. (It’s an ancient language after all). So in most cases when approaching more than one person you’re probably safe using “Atem”. I try to sound people out by saying “Shalom” (Hello) first in an attempt to prompt them to say Shalom back to me and reveal their identity or at least their gender.”

Wow, that is wild. Joe adds that the German language has some of the same aspects, but there are easier ways around this if you just address everyone formally. Japan, and other Asian countries, use Honorifics as well. You can learn more by reading this link.

How can you find out what our hosts are up to outside the podcast?

Follow Maurie Hill on Twitter

Check out Maurie’s writing on the AI Squared Zoomed In Blog

Follow Rodney Edgar on Twitter

Check out Rodney on the Tech Access Weekly Blog and Podcast

Follow Jeremy Curry on Twitter

Follow GW Micro on Twitter.

Feel free to send your feedback on this show to resources@serotalk.com.

You can always find the latest on this show and others on the SeroTalk Podcast Network using iBlink Radio for your iOS device or your Android device. You can even leave us an iReport right from the iBlink app.

Thanks for listening!

Join Jamie, Ricky and Joe as they discuss the news of the week. Stories covered in this podcast include:

Blind Bargains: Survey on the Accessibility of Exercise Equipment

AI Squared has released ZoomText 10.1 for Windows 8

Announcing the Newest Inductees into the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame

Bottom line, disabled people might be better workers.

Windows 8.1 shipping, online and physically, on October 18th

New Windows 8.1 build reveals built-in tutorial and tips

Can Surface be Saved?

Facebook said to be testing its own mobile purchasing program

Five alternative futures for BlackBerry

LG G2 balloon stunt goes awry

Why iPhone 4C didn’t make sense but iPhone 5C just might

Why Boston is a hotbed for speech recognition like Siri

One month with iOS 7: An old soul with style and substance

As Promised, here is a link to the Song Mitochondria by Those Who Dig

Roundabout

Bone Conduction Technology, Now Found in Your Mouth

Digital era threatens tenuous future of drive-ins

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

If there is one thing that can be said about a SeroTalk Podcast, it is that you never know what you’re going to get. Petting cheetah cubs, riding in self-driving cars and rapping about science are just a few of the stories we cover on this week’s episode. One thing you can be sure of, however, is that the SeroTalk podcast team will get you where you need to go all in one piece. Join Jamie, Ricky and Joe as they discuss the top stories of the week including:

The Next Chapter

A Review of the Socializer System Access Mobile Network App from Serotek

Entertainment Apps For The Blind And Visually Impaired

Papa Sangre II

Blind games: The next battleground in accessibility

Blind Bargains: Introducing the Cosmo Braille Writer

Life – A tactile comic for the blind

Using the Victor Reader Stream as an audible teleprompter

Now Hear This! Musings of a Blind Hearing Aid wearer

From Fedora Outlier: Managing Your Wireless Settings On Windows & Mac

Campaign for a more accessible Netflix

New release of the Kindle app for iOS adds Accessibility Quick Reference to the FAQ section in Settings

Amazon and Sony Don’t Want to Build E-Readers for the Blind

Blind Bargains: Amazon and Sony Are Requesting That The Accessibility Requirement Be Waived for E-Book Readers

Dropbox Folder Management Using JAWS for Windows

Screen Reader Failure: Innovation, Deterioration, Despair

Roundabout

H E A R and There Audio Magazine: Petting Cheetah Cubs at the Cincinnati Zoo

Science Rap B.A.T.T.L.E.S. Bring Hip-Hop Into The Classroom

What it’s like to ride in a self-driving car

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.