Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss their use of indoor navigation apps, such as Seeing AI and Clew. Shaun talks about his experiences using these inside his home with mixed results. Also, there’s more from the ACB convention floor as Michael Babcock talks to Sam from the Blind Life YouTube channel, Tricia from the website Blind Girl Designs and the team behind Leader Dogs for the Blind in the U.S. There’s also more of your feedback, including a comment from Marco in Germany who explains...
Jul 06, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss more of the news coming out from the NFB and ACB conventions this week. They chat about the new features announced by Vispero that will be included in the new JAWS 2024 screen reader software, including camera view information, meaning JAWS can now give you important info about your camera status, whether you are centred on the screen and what’s in the shot, as well as the new Braille split screen feature that lets you halve your display to see two app...
Jul 05, 2023•55 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the latest news from Aira regarding their decision to keep legacy pricing in place until January 2025, Twitter’s slow collapse and the new apps using Microsoft Soundscape code: Voice Vista and GoodMaps Outdoors. Also, we have full convention coverage from Michael Babcock at the ACB Convention in Chicago, and Damashe Thomas at the NFB Convention in Texas. We learn about a company called IRIE-AT that sells its own line of Braille displays and embossers w...
Jul 04, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven is joined by Matt Ater, the Vice President at Vispero, the company behind products such as JAWS and ZoomText, among others. The pair talked earlier this year after Matt returned from New York for a business conference showcasing their JAWS Kiosk software and hardware to potential new clients. The hardware offers businesses a way to make their touchscreen kiosks more accessible to people who are blind. They also chat about Matt's new role at the Consumer Tech Association...
Jul 01, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun are joined by regular guests Michael Babcock and Damashe Thomas from the UnMute Presents and Technically Working podcasts. The guys are heading to conventions taking place in America from the 1st of July onwards, in particular the National Federation of the Blind Convention in Texas and the American Council of the Blind Convention in Chicago. Both Michael and Damaashe will be appearing at the events separately as part of their daily jobs with the AT Guys and w...
Jun 30, 2023•53 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun read through more of your feedback, including comments about Braille and the new navigation app OpenScape. Listeners are already very excited about the new version of Microsoft’s SoundScape app that has now become open source and is being implemented into new apps including OpenScape, which recently arrived in beta form for a limited number of users. Those using it are already singing its praises, with others hoping that it will be released generally soon. But...
Jun 29, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss more of your comments, including a question from Aaron about whether or not it is time to standardize the Perkins-style keyboard layouts across Braille displays. Also, listener Gordon gives us his latest thoughts on the Be My Eyes Virtual Volunteer beta with accessing medication being one of his main challenges. And, Shaun gives us an insight into how to set up and use NFC tags using Apple Shortcuts and a sheet of NFC tags he recently bought from Amazo...
Jun 28, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the role artificial intelligence has to play in enabling the lives of people who are members of the disability community. Following a question from listener Darren, Steven got in touch with Samuel Proulx from Fable Pathways to find out his thoughts on the topic, as he has written on the subject recently. Read more of Samuel’s work on LinkedIn here: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/samuel-proulx-06107332?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F We loo...
Jun 27, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss their weekend of joy, with Steven lamenting about a new Mac VoiceOver feature he has found called Web Spots. This allows him to set markers on a webpage so he can easily navigate back to them as needed, rather than tabbing around each time. While there are VoiceOver commands for this, Steven uses the NumPad commander as he explains. Also, we learn more about Audible’s move towards more multi-cast audio productions and their aim to develop more Dolby At...
Jun 26, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun start with the tragic news of the missing Titan submersible, where five souls were lost due to the disaster. AMI’s Grace Scoffield also brings us the latest Double Tap News, featuring the breaking story Facebook will stop news content for its Canadian users following the arrival of a new law to ensure news content makers are paid for their work. Also, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is taking Amazon to court over its Prime sign-up and cancellation process, a...
Jun 24, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun hear more of your feedback regarding Steven's idea that the Perkins-style keyboard for Braille input may be out of date and perhaps it is time to move towards more QWERTY-style input methods on Braille displays. Unsurprisingly, there has been quite a lot of reaction to this suggestion, with comments ranging from general agreement to shock that the topic is even being discussed. There are many nuanced points too, including reasoning that the input method is req...
Jun 23, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun hear your comments on the discussion the guys have been having on the future of Braille. We hear interesting comments and thoughtful responses from many of you, including the point that one of the benefits of Perkins-style key input for Braillists is the speed at which someone can take notes. However, others are sympathetic to Steven’s idea. Keep your thoughts coming in on this issue and we will discuss it further this week. Get in touch with the Double Tapper...
Jun 22, 2023•51 min
Today on the show, we revisit a conversation we had with Venkatesh Chari, the CEO of Orbit Research, who told us earlier this year about some of the new products coming out from the company between now and 2024. As we are fast approaching the date when the new Orbit Speak is due to appear on sale, we thought it would be a good time to revisit the chat. Also, we have more of your feedback, including a question from listener M who asks what is the best Mac to buy for someone who is totally blind, ...
Jun 21, 2023•54 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun are joined by Michael Babcock to discuss Steven's latest and greatest idea (at least in his own head). Steven talks about his experience with Braille and suggests a change that he thinks would make the code easier to learn and also make it more available in a more useful way. But what do you think? Also, Michael talks to the guys about Apple Pay, using Reaper to edit audio and lots more. Grab a coffee and settle in for what they hope will be a thought-provokin...
Jun 20, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss Steven’s latest purchases in the return of the classic feature "What Steven Bought This Week," but will Shaun be impressed? Also, with the OpenScape beta opening up again, Shaun talks about his recent experience with the navigation app while he was out and about at the weekend. At the time of recording the beta is open; check it out for yourself here: https://testflight.apple.com/join/YaRkTMXv And there’s more of your feedback, with an answer to Shaun’...
Jun 19, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun review the big stories this week in accessible tech news. First up, there's a demo from Michael Babcock - who hosts the UnMute Presents podcast - of the new app, called OpenScape, that's like a GPS for the blind and partially sighted community and replaces the popular Microsoft Soundscape app. There's also discussion about how Reddit is charging third-party apps big bucks, and people aren't happy about it. Samuel Proulx is a mod on the R/Blind subreddit and ta...
Jun 17, 2023•54 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss a report by 9to5Mac which suggests the cameras on the new Apple Vision Pro headset won’t be available to third-party apps, which could have a big impact on people who are blind hoping their favourite apps, like Be My Eyes, Aira and Seeing AI, would be available on the device. There’s also concern around the cost of the headset, with listeners Darren and Peter weighing in on the issue suggesting that a monthly payment solution might make it more accessi...
Jun 16, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun dive into their personal tech struggles. From Internet connection issues to troublesome remote controls, they discuss the frustrations they've faced. Steven shares his positive experience with Sensibo, a device that lets you control your air conditioning through your smartphone. Steven describes his Internet issues and how he plans to mitigate future ones with the new Netgear Nighthawk AX4 router, which has WIFI 6 and also 4G LTE connectivity. Also, he talks a...
Jun 15, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun catch up with a good friend of the show from the visual interpreter service, Aira. Jenine Stanley joins the guys to discuss everything from the new Screen Share feature available now on the new Aira Explorer app for iOS and Android, plus there are details of a new podcast to help deepen the understanding of what Aira is to a wider audience. And the company wants to hear from you to help shape its future. Also, there’s more of your feedback including a question...
Jun 14, 2023•53 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun get into a heated topic off the top about Shakespeare! It’s a tech show, honest! Then, they get back on track (sort of) and listen to more of your feedback including a question from Caleb on how best to support someone losing their sight, a query from Callum on how to use the Phone Link app on Windows, and a rather hilarious email from Greg who observes the unusual species that is the radio show host. And there’s a demo of the new WayAround app, available on t...
Jun 13, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun talk about the breaking news over the weekend that a group of developers have come up with an alternative to the much-loved Microsoft SoundScape app, called OpenScape. The new app is in a beta phase and is slowly being rolled out to people who want to take part in order to give feedback. At the time of recording the beta program was full, but the developer told Double Tap that it would open up again “in the coming days.” Double Tap correspondent Michael Babcoc...
Jun 12, 2023•51 min
Steven and Shaun kicked off this week's Double Tap Express with their take on Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference where the tech giant dropped some serious tech news. They've got a new 15-inch MacBook Air, an upgraded Mac Studio, and a Mac Pro, all boasting the M2 chip. On the software side, we've got iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS 14 (Sonoma) coming our way with a bunch of cool features. And let's not forget the audio upgrades for AirPods and CarPlay, new control centre for TVOS, and revamped...
Jun 10, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference from the mainstream perspective with the help of Double Tap TV host Marc Aflalo. Marc joins the guys for the hour to discuss his take on the new Apple Vision Pro headset, and where he thinks it sits compared to alternatives out there. Also, did Marc have the same feeling seeing the Vision Pro announcement that he did when he watched the launch of the first iPhone? Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join t...
Jun 09, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven sits down with Colin Hughes, a disability advocate with muscular dystrophy who struggles with movement and breathing. He shares his unique perspective on the accessibility features of Apple's latest announcements, particularly the Vision Pro and the improvements in dictation in iOS 17. Colin, who interacts with technology primarily through voice due to severe muscle weakness, highlights the potential of these advancements. Colin's transformative experience with the Ray-...
Jun 08, 2023•53 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss more announcements from the ongoing Apple Worldwide Developers Conference taking place this week in Cupertino, California. Much of the discussion focuses on a video launched by Apple during the event, which shows how VoiceOver will work on Apple Vision Pro: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2023/10034/ There’s also a demo of how the text-to-speech voice Eloquence has new customization options, and journalist and author Shelly Brisbin drops by...
Jun 07, 2023•53 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun review the latest announcements from Apple at their Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California. They discuss the biggest news of all, the Apple Vision Pro, which is a VR-style headset that is essentially a computer inside a headset. But will this be accessible to blind people? The team discusses what they know so far. Also, there’s a discussion on the future of iOS with the latest version, 17, due to be released later this year. Plus there are up...
Jun 06, 2023•52 min
Today’s episode sees the return of an old favourite segment known as "What Steven Bought This Week." Steven has a shiny new jingle and an equally shiny new gadget in a box, so why is it that Shaun seems less than impressed? Next up it’s on to the newly-updated Phone Link app for Windows. Phone Link is an app that allows you to make calls, message and read notifications on your phone from your computer. Previously, it only supported Android phones but with its most recent update, it now supports ...
Jun 05, 2023•53 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun review the week here at Double Tap. AMI’s Grace Scoffield joins the team to bring us the news, featuring some serious news from Amazon's Ring, which has just settled with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for a whopping $5.8 million over privacy violations. We're also saying goodbye to celebrity voices on Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices, and the BrailleWear glove developed by ORama AI is set to revolutionize the way people read Braille. Also, BlackRock Neurotec...
Jun 03, 2023•52 min
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the big news from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, who have just announced their new Meta Quest 3 VR headset. Marc Aflalo from Double Tap TV joins the guys to fill us in on the announcement. Read more about the new Meta Quest 3 headset here: https://about.fb.com/news/2023/06/meta-quest-3-coming-this-fall/ There’s more discussion following our conversation with AMI host Becki Zerr about the end of Soundscape from Microsoft. Listener Paul sends in a...
Jun 02, 2023•52 min
In this insightful episode, Steven Scott is joined by Robert Kingett once again to talk about his latest work called Social Audio Description. They discussed Robert’s key part in developing more audio description for streaming services, in particular Netflix, in the early days, and how his hard work paid off when the streaming giant announced it would add audio description to all of its original content moving forwards. A contentious topic of cultural preferences in audio descriptions was also e...
Jun 01, 2023•53 min
