iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective.

Sounds of Summer from the Vision Australia Vision Store

Some fun outdoor demos to give you a few ideas for enjoying being out and about.

And of course, all available fromt eh Vision Australia Vision Store.

Have a listen, as I don't want to spoil the fun smile.

Demo of reading daisy books on the Brailliant BIX40

Loving the new upgrade to the Brailliant BIX40 which allows you to access books in my case from the Vision Australia library and enjoy daisy books, brf books (such as the Sydney Morning Herald), and my favourite podcast Talking Tech smile.

 

Monarch hands on demo

In this demo, I give you an overview of the Monarch hardware, and some of the software features.

Exploring Tech Webinar by David DW for June 2023 Accessing the Printed Word

To find out all of the products described in this webinar for accessing the Printed Word (i.e. Optical Character Recognition OCR or Magnification)

If you are in Australia, go to:

https://shop.visionaustralia.org

or in New Zealand:

https://shop.visionaustralia.org.nz

Enjoy

Tech Monday - having a chat about Android: the good bits, and the not so good bits on either Android or iOS

Lots of great things to say about Android, some things I wish iOS would do that Android does, and some comments about overall accessibility of Android at least from a screen readers point of view.

Enjoy.

David

 

SensePlayer and Victor Reader Stream V3 Presentation from their respective company’s in Australia.

Emergency SOS Satellite demo using iPhone 14

David Exploring Apple Tap to Pay PIN when needing to use physical card https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2023/05/apple-introduces-tap-to-pay-on-iphone-in-australia/

This feature is available in Australia where the Merchant runs an app on their iPhone to receive either an Apple Pay or in this case paying via a physical card when the limit has reached to enter a pin number for a physical card after it has been tapped on the screen.

Merchant simply taps the accessibility options which allows the user to:

2 finger double tap to repeat initial instructions,

Single tap once for 1, twice for 2, 9 for 9, and 10 taps for 0,

2 finger flick left to delete a number, and

2 finger flick left to submit pin number.

Out of all the options I've tested with this type of payment system, to me this is the best result for ease of use whilst maintaining security and privacy.

Have a listen.

 

 

 

How to add an Apple Watch Workout Manually - after the event as it were.

Demo of the DotPad Braille Graphics Tablet and Braille display

Tech Monday Highlights for April 3 2023 with David Woodbridge and Company.

Tech Monday Highlights for March 27 2023 - listen to the group have a fun chat about tech

Demo of the new AFL Audio Football from Vision Australia Vision Store

Tech Monday Highlights for March 20 2023 - Scot gives a run down of a few products from CSUN

Highoights from TechMonday with David Woodbridge and Co for March 13 2023

Discussion with Jessica Lee from Dot Inc about the Tactile Braille Graphics tablet and 20 cell Braille display

Exploring Tech Webinar by David Woodbridge for March 2023 all about the EOne tactile TimePiece

Vision Australia selling the Eone Timepiece,Ming and I chat about this timeless work of engineering.

The Eone Bradley timepiece features raised hour markers that allow you to feel the time by touch: a triangular marker for twelve, elongated line segments for three, six, and nine, and shorter line segments for the other markers. 

 

Two magnetised ball bearings travel around the watch face in separate, recessed tracks: one track around the centre center of the watch face's surface for the minute, and one track around the outside edge of the watch face for the hour.

 

To tell the time by touch, simply run your finger over the raised hour markers, feeling the markers where the ball bearings are located. If either ball bearing moves out of place, shake your wrist and they will snap back to the correct locations.

 

Features:

 

Modern, and stylish.

 

Bold prominent tactile markers “mark” for the passing of time.

 

Out of the box thinking to tell time by position of ball bearings for minute (top face), and hours around the outside.

 

Looks and feels like a quality built product.

 

Various timepieces and bands to choose from for mixing and matching formal ware, casual or in-between.

 

Looks like a cool designed timepiece when warn.

 

As the Braille on the box says “Designed for you. Design for everyone”.  

Discussion and Demo of the SensePlayer OCR with Sam Taylor from Pacific Vision

tech Monday for 2023 - discussing back to study tech ideas for 2023

Some Tech Ideas for Getting Back in to Study for 2023

 

Is your study area organised: desk space, enough power points, all necessary chargers, lighting etc .

 

Do you need to purchasing a new desktop/laptop or just make sure your existing computer is ready to go.

Tip: if you can, don’t share the family computer, smart phone or tablet, chances are you’ll get in to a spot where you can not use it.

 

As a rule of thumb, the more memory and storage you can afford the better off you will be: 16GB memory, and 256GB storage.

 

Do you have the necessary peripherals for your computer: keyboard, mice/trackpad, monitor, printer, scanner, external hard drive/other storage, monitor stand, etc.

Tip: most computers these days just don’t have enough ports, grab yourself a port replicator for your computer to allow you to plug in a number of things such as USB devices, memory cards, monitors, etc . Again, may not be bad to have one at home and one in your bag, this way, things can stay plugged in at home whilst you take the laptop with you.

 

If you need your keyboard that you use on your computer/smart device marked up with tactile markers or large print stickers, make sure it is done before you need to start using it.

 

Are all the programs you need to use on the computer all working: not only the assistive technology, but the actual programs you will need to use.

 

Keep your computer/smart device organised, and use folders to organise your work.

 

Have you got all your books  or know where to access them in your chosen format or with what app.

 

Remember you can use your Smart phone as a Hot Spot to the Internet when you are out and about or alternatively get a hotspot from Telstra etc. This way, you can still send emails, files, and conduct research.

 

Besides cloud storage, think about an external hard drive, memory cards or flash drives to keep your work,  backup your work and to transfer files between your own devices or give a file to another person.

If you rely on a smart phone, tablet or both: are they up to date, and working with all the apps you may need. 

Remember you can use a BT keyboard with a smart phone or tablet.

 

Make sure all hardware is charged up: not only laptops/tablets, but BT keyboards, mice/trackpads, head phones, digital recorders, magnifiers, task lights etc. Where possible, have for want of a better term some non battery operated devices: eg 3.5mm head phones, UsB plug in keyboard/mice/trackpad, ability to take notes manually if necessary etc. This way, if power is out or battery goes flat, you can still study.

 

If there is any reason you may need an external speaker for demoing media or listening to content yourself, grab a portable BT speaker.

 

These days lots of study sessions are conducted via video conferencing. You need to make sure that you have access to a camera in your desktop (or use the one in your smart phone with a stand), and your head set has a microphone (or use the one in your smart phone.

 

Do you have a power bank to recharge your devices when away from home or another wall charger to take with you if you can plug it in where you are going.

Tip: keep a power extension chord and power board in your bag, you may not always be close to a power point.

 

If any thing you use needs AA or AAA batteries such as a digital recorder, BT speaker, hand held magnifier etc, have a pack on your desk as well as in your bag.

 

Especially for using your smart phone or tablet as a OCR scanner or Video Magnifier, make sure you have a stand to put the phone/tablet on when using the camera to perform these functions.

 

If you need portable task lighting, grab a rechargeable task light to use at home or pop in your bag. If you need one at home as well, possibly get one just for home.

 

Have simple backups to your backups, keyboards, chargers, cables, power boards, ear phones etc, this way, if one goes missing, you have a spare.

 

If you can, leave a set of chargers plugged in at your desk, and have another set that goes in your bag when you are off to study etc: this way, chargers don’t go missing/damaged, cables break etc.

 

For cane users or even Guide Dog users, always have a spare cane in your bag. This way if your cane gets broken by being stepped on or you want to check what your Guide Dog may or may not be doing, having a cane available is a great backup.

 

Is your expensive equipment clearly marked with your contact details. In case you leave something behind or can not find it in the house etc, attach a tracker tag.

 

Overall, is your assistive software/hardware technology all working. Have options for both software/hardware if the main things stop working for some reason: eg use different browsers, email programs, word processors etc. If you use a custom device, can you use a smart phone app or the computer etc.

 

Is your bag you carry all this stuff in ok or does it need replacing, if so, obviously  get a new one.

Make sure your bag is  as rain proof as possible or grab some large sealed bags that you can pop stuff in to in case you get caught in a storm and you need to protect your gear.

 

Vision Australia Shop has many items to cover many of these points. Also, you can contact the Adaptive Technology Help Desk as well at Vision Australia on 1300 847 466.

Tech Friday from the Vision Store with David Woodbridge for Dec 16 2022

Tech Friday For December 9 2022 from the Vision Store from VA, group chitchat

Tech Friday from Vision Australia for 25/11/2022

Tech Friday from Vision Australia for Nov 18 2022

Tech Friday Highlights, from a weekly tech group discussion from VA.

A bit of an early look back of what has crossed my desk for 2022

An overview of the podcasts I follow for Main stream and Assistive Technology

List of Podcasts That I follow:

 

Ablequest on 2RPH.

 

All About Android.

 

Apple Events.

 

Apple Quarterly Earnings Call.

 

Apple Insider Podcast.

 

Applevis Podcast.

 

Blind Abilities.

 

Blind Android Users Podcast.

 

Blind Bargains.

 

Blind Guy Talks Tech.

 

Daily Tech Head Lines.

 

Daily Tech News Show.

 

Digital Planet.

 

Dot 2 Dot.

 

Double Tap Canada.

 

Echo Tips.

 

FreedomScientific FSCast.

 

FreedomScientific Training Podcast.

 

iMore Show.

 

iSee - various technologys from a Blind Persons Perspective.

 

 

 

Life and Technology with Charlie Brown.

 

Mac Break Weekly.

 

MacCast for Mac Geeks.

 

macWorld.

 

Mosen At Large.

 

Mystic Access Podcast.

 

New Horizons.

 

NosillaCast  Apple Podcast.

 

Rene Ritchie.

 

Security Now.

 

Sight and Sound Technology Podcast.

 

Studio One.

 

Talking Tech Vision Australia Radio.

 

Talking Vision Vision Australia Radio.

 

Tech News Weekly.

 

That Real Blind Tech Show.

 

This Week in Tech.

 

 

 

Two Blokes Talking Tech.

 

Upgrade.

 

Windows Weekly.

 

Exploring Tech Webinar with David Woodbridge Vision Australia - Moving out and about safely.

Quantum RLV Webinar for Feb 22 2022 - MountBatten Tutor Launch.

Intro demo of the Hable One Braille input keyboard

In this demo, I give you a physical description of the Hable One and take you through a number of the commands for navigating iOS.

To read the manual etc, goto:

https://www.iamhable.com

A demo and chat about my electronic sit to stand desk

A chat about the Magic Bluetooth keyboard with Touch ID

Intro demo of the Annie Self Teaching Braille device from Thinkable Labs - https://thinkerbelllabs.com/annie

BlindShell Classic 2 demo - Exploring Tech Webinar by David Woodbridge for Jan 2022

Demo of the battery base for theAmazon Echo Dot 3rd Generation coming to you live from my backyard.

Common iOS and Android apps used on both systems

 

Common apps between iOs and Android

 

If choosing either Samsung/Android or iOS, look at the tasks that are needed to be performed and if the apps to do those tasks are accessible.

 

Two specific apps which are not currently available on Android are the Microsoft Sound Scape and Seeing AI apps.

 

As the Seeing AI app currency mode doesn’t work with Australian currency, Cash Reader is recommended for both iOS/Android.

 

Where it  is not obvious what the apps listed are for, there is a short description.

 

13Cabs

 

7Plus

 

Ten Play

 

SBS on Demand

 

ABC iView (ABC online streaming)

 

ABC Listen (ABC Radio stations)

 

A Blind Legend (audio game)

 

Aira (for the Aira service via phone camera

 

Aldi

 

Amazon Alexa (for use with the Amazon Echo hardware and giving access to use Amazon’s digital assistant)

 

Amazon

 

Amazon Music

 

Amazon Prime Video

 

Apple Music

 

Audio Game Hub (various self voicing games)

 

Audible (for use with Audible books - nice thing about Android version can buy within app)

 

Be-My-Eyes (assistance for free via video contact to volunteers around world)

 

Blind Bargains

 

Blind Drive (fantastic blind driving audio game)

 

Blind Cricket

 

BOM Weather

 

CoronaVirus Australia

 

Calm (excellent wellness app)

 

Cash Reader (currency identification)

 

Chrome (web browser from Google)

 

Coffee Link (for use with the Delonghi touch Coffee Machine)

 

Coles

 

Dropbox

 

Dyson

 

Disney Plus

 

eBay

 

Ember (for use with the Enmber temperature controlled BT mug)

 

Evernote

 

Facebook

 

Fitbit (for use with the Fitbit bands - I use this with my Fitbit Charge 2)

 

Google Assistant (Google’s digital assistant)

 

Google Fit

 

Google Duo

 

Google Home (for use with the Google Nest smart speaker hardware)

 

Google maps

 

Google News

 

Google Play Music

 

Envision (uses camera for text recognition, surroundings, photos etc)

 

Lazarillo (excellent GPS app)

 

Kindle (Kindle eBooks): again can purchase Kindle books within the Android app.

 

MbMimic (for use with the Mount Batten Brailler)

 

Messenger

 

Menu Log

 

Outlook (Microsoft Outlook)

 

Music Healing

 

Netatmo (for use with the Netatmo indoor/outdoor weather modules)

 

Netflix:

 

Pocket Cast (pod catcher)

 

Ring (for use with the Ring video doorbell)

 

Sensibo (for use with the Sensibo AC device)

 

Spotify Music

 

Sunu App (for use with the Sunu Band orientation & Mobility device))

 

Skype

 

SuperSense

 

Tile (for use with the Tile Tag tracking system)

 

Tripview (public transport for Sydney and Melbourne)

 

TuneIn Radio

 

Twitter

 

Uber

 

Uber Eats

 

VIP Code Reader (accessible QR code reader)

 

Vision Australia Connect (for the VA Library)

 

Voice Dream Reader (document reader via speech).

 

WeWalk

 

White Noise

 

Woolworths 

 

Youtube

 

Zoom (web meetings etc)

 

Zomby’s Run

Demo of how to setup and use VoiceOver Hand Gestures in Watch OS 8

With VoiceOver running, turn on in Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver, Hand Gestures.

Once turned on, activate when watch is waken with a double clench of your fist (need to do this every time watch is woken up).

When on:

double pinch (thumb and index finger twice) move previous item,

Single pinch (thumb and index finger once) next item,

clench (fist once) activate item, and

double clench (make fist twice) Digital Crown function.

Handy for the workout app.

 

VoxMate overview demo - simple to use, but powerful app for Android

Simple but powerful all in one audio app for the blind Android user.

https://www.voxmate.com.

 

Exploring Tech webinar from Vision Australia Sep 2021 -Apple Watch

My chat to customers of Vision Australia all about the Apple Watch, bands, and devices.

Demo of the Versa Slate - paperless slate (hand frame) with stylus

This is an amazing upgrade to the traditional slate or as we say in Australia hand frame.

So rather than sticking in a bit of paper, writing in Braille, and then having to take the paper out, read what you have Brailled, and then stick it back in again to continue Brailling, you just Braille or write on once side and the pins pop out on the other reading side, for you to just read what you have Brailled.

You can push any pin in with your finger tip to clear pins within a cell or use the buttons at the top and bottom to clear every 5 cells going across: eg first left top and bottom do lines 1 to 4 up to firth cell etc or top left button by itself does lines 1 to 2, and bottom right hand side button does lines3 to 4 etc, then going across to buttons 2, 3, and 4 for top and bottom.

Do not use the stylus to push in the pins on the reading side as you'll damage the pins.

It'll make more sense when you listen to the demo.

Enjoy.

 

Demo of the AfterShokz OpenComm Bone Conduction head phones (with Boom Mic).

Run through of the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack for all iPhone 12's.

Give you a physical description of the battery pack, how to check battery status, charging tips, using the pack as a wireless charger, and some general tips for usage.

Demo of the ReadEasy Evolve portable reading machine

In this demo, I give you a physical description of the ReadEasy Evolve, setup, and use.

Vision Australia  Store web link to purchase is:

 

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/shop/product/esocr057-so

Another excuse to play with the Subaru Forester finally again, demoing the Amazon Echo Auto

Demo of the Micro Speak Plus Digital Voice Recorder

Quick run through of the Micro Speak Plus Digital Voice Recorder.

Extremely easy to use, and copy files recorded over to Mac or PC.

Product ID for Vision Australia Vision Store is ES7427.

Enjoy.

 

A walk through and demo of the Dyson Air Purifier, Heater, and Fan combo

This Dyson 3 in one tower unit, purify’s the air, heats, and emits cool air.

 

Comes in white or silver.

 

Prices seem to vary quite a lot, when I purchased mine they were about $750  Australian for the second two.

 

When setting the unit up, take it out of the box, install the Hepa filters in both sides of the base, [plug in to wall outlet, stick remote on top face down to attach.

Note - don't lift or move the Dyson via the top part of the fan unit, even though it looks tempging.

 

The unit is about 1 metre high, about 400MM in diameter at the base, and weighs about 5KG.

 

The base contains the Hepa filters, one on each side, and are easy to remove and replace by releasing the latch’s on either side of the base.

 

On one side of the base at the top, is a round largish on/off button (also used to Bluetooth pair the unit) as well as a small LCD screen showing air quality for example.

 

On the opposite side to the on/off button, but at the bottom of the base is where the 1.5 meter    power chord connects.

 

The main fan part of the unit which sits on top of the base, is a tall oval shape, with the air coming in the back and out through the front edge of the oval sides. This air direction can be reversed.

There are no blades at all.

 

The oval shape fan unit can rotate 350 degrees.

 

The base can be tilted forward/back to adjust air flow direction down, forward or up.

 

The remote control has physical buttons, and magnetically  connects to the top of the oval shaped fan unit.

 

Note - whilst the oval shaped part of the unit is open, the manual advises strongly when moving the unit, do not treat the oval area has a handle, but pick up the whole unit from the base to move it, otherwise the movement mechanism to the base may be damaged.

 

The unit can be controlled from the Dyson Link app on iOS or Android, and via the Amazon Echo or via Siri shortcuts.

 

Connecting the fan to the Dyson link app was very straight forward, and pairing when instructed was to simply hold the iPhone near the on/off button and press to initiate pairing.

 

Overall the Dyson Link app is accessible.

 

When using the Dyson from Alexa, you need to enable the skill and login with your Dyson account via the skill to link it up.

 

The Dyson link app works well with Voiceover on the iPhone, allowing all functions to be accessed including temperature control, fan speed, cool or heat, rotation, air purification stats etc.

 

The Dyson skill works well, and allows control over temperature, fan speed, hot hot or cool, and how much rotating you want the fan to do.

 

With the app, you can set up your current location to get current weather info, and you can also name the unit, which comes in handy if you have more than one.

 

Both the app and skill allow the use of multiple fans to be switched between. In the app, you select the fan via the App Menu and on the skill, each fan is numbered, and you use that number to select the fan you wish to use.

 

When the Hepa filter needs replacing, there is a notification. You can also check the status of the filters at any time as this info is displayed within the Dyson Link app.

 

Having fans in different rooms, means I can custom set fan functions for those rooms.

 

Most of the time, I use the “Ask

Dyson” function with Alexa to change settings on all of the fans.

 

Well worth the price for the functionality I receive..

 

Review and demo of the Audio Technica ATH-M30X Studio monitoring head phones

These head phones offer great comfort, good sound quality with minimal design and rugged construction.

 

For use as a monitoring head set to a mixer, they perform very well indeed.

 

The head set comes in Quite a large box. Inside you will find - leather carry pouch, neatly stored head phones (they do fold up), long attached to left ear cup head phone audio cable (2.74M, with step up  adapter already screwed on to the end of the 3.5MM audio jack), and warranty card.

 

The headphones are entirely black with silver (tactile) Audio Technica logo on the faces of both ear cups.

 

Audio Technica” is printed in white on the top side of the headband

 

The soft material on the headband and the ear cushions are made of leather.

 

Even though made of plastic, the body construction is well finished.

 

The headband has a metallic support on the inside which becomes visible where it connects to the ear cups.

 

The headband adjustment is very smooth, with no click in to position. However, they do stay put when adjusted.

 

The rotating mechanism for the ear cups is supported by a plastic hinge allowing the ear cups to fold inwards for storage or in to the provided leather carry pouch.

 

The head phones have large ear cups that cover the entire ear and cut out an amazing amount of external noise.

 

The head phones are very comfortable for all day use, no pressure on the top or side of the head.

 

As pointed out already, the long 2.74m cable is attached to the left ear cup of the head phones. The 3.5MM female to 6.3MM male step up adapter is already screwed on to the end of the 3.5mm jack.

In the case of the Zoom Podtrack P4, you will need to unscrew this adapter to plug the head phones in to the P4 3.5mm head phones jack..

 

With the excellent sound noise reduction of the ear cups (no they do not have active noise cancellation), you can concentrate on editing audio such as a podcast.

 

I find these head phones excellent for listening to VoiceOver out of the Mac, editing podcasts, listening to music, and because they fold up, great for use when out and about if I am podcasting with the Zoom Podtrak P4, and my Samson Q2u mics.

 

Note - these are straight head phones, they do not have their own microphone as found with the Audio Technica BPHS Head phones.

Demo of usingwww.cleanfeed.net on the Mac with Voiceover where scott and I just chat about tech for the demo

As you will b able to tell, Cleanfeed works fine on the Mac using Voiceover in Google Chrome.

Rather than just a boring demo, scott and i thought, why not chat about our old and new tech stuff.

i've combined what the Zoom Podtrak P4 was recording as far as logging in to www.cleanfeed.net was concerned, and of course, the issue with using Safari with Voiceover on the iphone for Scott aas everything including Voiceover was coming through.

So besides demoing that Cleanfeed works, i hope you enjoy my and Scott's chat. 

Direct demo (no speaking from me)of all the English voices on the Apple TV organised by chapter navigation

Hi all,

This time around, no speaking from me at all.

What you will hear is me using the Siri remote to go through all the English voices for VoiceOver on the Apple TV.

I've placed chapter marks for each of the English voice categories:

Australia

India

Ireland

South Africa

UK

US

This will hopefully give you a good idea of the different voices in case you want to ever change.

Zoom Podtrak P4 compilation of all initial 12 P4 demos organised by Chapters.

This podcast contains all of my 12 podcast demos on the Zoom Podtrak P4.

You can navigate by chapter on the Mac via Downcast or on iOS via Overcast.

I don’t know why you want to, but you can also just listen to start to end if you really really want to smile.

Demos include my first impressions of the P4, full description of the P4, using channel 3 (TRRS) and channel 4 (UsB) on the P4, recording VoiceOver from the Mac, tips on recording and playing back recent file, using the Sound Pad to control play back of files, using the Sound Pad menu, using the Files Menu, using the Files Transfer main menu option, demo of the BTA-2 Bluetooth transceiver, demo of the Audio Technica headset with dynamic XLR boom microphone, and demo of the Samson Q2u and Backpack Studio.

Think it was funny about mid range through in the demos, where I said it was going to be my last.

Enjoy.