The European Accessibility Act is now in full effect, but what does it mean exactly? Will it actually make a difference for those who are blind or visually impaired? This week on the show, we catch up with Vision Ireland’s new head of technology, Sean Doran, and head of sales at sister company Vially, Andrew Power, to learn about the European Accessibility Act and how companies are responding to it. In Tech News, we explore improvements from Bank of Ireland as well as potential bands for the Dee...
Jul 01, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 88
On this episode of Talking Technology, we’re playing a game of catch-up as we check in on all the voice notes you sent us in recent weeks. Comments include thoughts on our use of chapter markers, WhatsApp’s arrival on iPad, and the Sullivan+ app. We also catch up with Sean Breslin, who is providing audio descriptive commentary for Croke Park, and we have a statement from a lady with the coolest job title ever, as Anne Zahan - Head of Beer at Diageo Ireland - comments on their League of Ireland a...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 87
After a very successful demo day at the Wayfinding Centre in Dublin, lots of people share their feelings on Glide. Some loved the device and can’t wait to get one, while others ask what it means for the future of the guide dog. Does Glide risk making guide dog refusal more acceptable? With Apple launching a new design across their platforms, we discuss how it will impact those with low vision. Are we ready for liquid glass? Joe is excited about his AirPods tracking sleep, and we explain how five...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 3Ep. 86
On this episode of Talking Technology extra, we meet the team from Glide ahead of their demo day in Dublin. We take a trip to The Wayfinding Centre to meet Amos Miller and Luke Buckberrough (co founders of Glide’s parent company Glidance Inc.). They explain what the product is, discuss recent delays, and tell us about their ambitious vision for the future. Would you use Glide? Send us a WhatsApp voice note now on 086 199 0011. Support the show...
Jun 07, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 86
On this week’s Talking Technology, cofounder of Hable Freek van Welsenis discusses the company’s Hable One product and the Hable Easy. He tells us of the company’s aim to become a major player in the low-cost assistive technology space. In tech news, we hear about WhatsApp for iPad and a new partnership between Aira and Google. And what’s your favourite podcast app? We want to hear about it. Send us a voice note now using 086 199 0011. Support the show...
Jun 03, 2025•59 min•Season 3Ep. 85
On this episode of Talking Technology, we are joined by Stuart Lawler who tells us all about the Paige Braille. We discuss the latest accessibility features announced by Apple including accessibility reader and braille access, and in tech news we explore a new solution for training Deaf dogs. No, that’s not a typo. We pay a visit to a school in Gorey to chat Braille with some SNAs, and is smart speaker gaming dead? Send us a WhatsApp voice note with your thoughts now. The number you need is 086 ...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 84
On today’s episode of Talking Technology with V I Labs, we are joined by Matt Ater, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Vespero. Matt tells us about the latest in the world of Jaws, including updates to Jaws for Windows and how Jaws is installed on McDonald’s self-service kiosks in America. We also hear that Jaws will be moving into a subscription model for purchases around the world in the next 60 to 90 days. Is this a good thing? Long-term Nest thermostat users are getting left out...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 83
In this episode of Talking Technology, Joe shows us accessible streaming devices, including the Apple TV 4K and Amazon Fire Stick. How do these devices work for blind and low vision users? In tech news, we hear about exciting innovations from Samsung, as well as a new medical device aiming to help with dry eyes. After an RTÉ news report about an AI-powered talking tree, David and Joe ask if talking trees could actually benefit blind people. And with Blindshell launching updates for their Classic...
Apr 22, 2025•58 min•Season 3Ep. 82
On this episode of Talking Technology, we try the Hark AI reading machine from Humanware. Is it worth its hefty price tag? The Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a screen reader, and what if your AirPods could see? All that and more in tech news. Daniel tells us about exciting updates for Android devices, and would you use Roy Keene as your screen reader voice? To provide feedback on the Consumer Protection Commission consultation discussed, check out the link below. https://www.ccpc.ie/business/resea...
Apr 08, 2025•58 min•Season 3Ep. 81
On this episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with Karthik Kannan CTO at Envision to learn all about the new ally app. We discuss pricing, future plans, and the role of Envision Glasses in the Meta Ray-Ban world. We hear your thoughts on AirTag and air fryers, and in tech news we explore a new collaboration aiming to make games more accessible. Join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is 086 199 0011. Internationally you can use +353 86 199 0011. Support the sho...
Mar 25, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 80
This week on Talking Technology, we take a trip to Anaheim in California, as our very own Denis Nolan gives us a preview of CSUN 2025. Lucy Ashton joins us from Seable to discuss accessible holidays for the blind, and she tells us how technology is changing what people want from their holiday experience. We’ve got updates on new apps from Envision, and do jaws users really want The New Insert J Club? Contact the Show with a WhatsApp voice note now. The number you need is 086 199 0011 Support the...
Mar 11, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 79
This week on Talking Technology, we meet Elaine Power who joins the V I Labs team in the south east of the country. We discuss the new iPhone 16 E as well as the death of the iPhone SE line, and we ask what we can expect from tomorrow’s announcement of the next generation Alexa. Send us a voice note with your thoughts now. The number you need is 086 199 0011. International listeners can use +353 86 199 0011. Support the show...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 78
On this episode of Talking Technology , we chat with Ian McKinley about the new audio descriptive commentary being provided for Irish viewers of the Six Nations. He also discusses his own career and how visual impairment has changed the way he plays the game. We have loads of your comments and questions on everything from blood pressure monitors to video doorbells, and we discuss a bid from Elon Musk to take control of OpenAI. Send us a WhatsApp voice note with your thoughts now! The number you ...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 77
This week on Talking Technology we’re chatting all things accessible health and fitness. We explore some of the really cool supports available for blind and partially sighted customers at Slimming World, and we catch up with our colleagues at vision sports to discuss the accessibility of the gym. We have tons of your voice notes to get through, and in tech news we ask the question, could you be a movie star? We also discussed braille , AI, and new resources from Ahead, so there really is somethi...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 76
This week on Talking Technology we caught up with Andrew Flatres from HumanWare to discuss the monarch, a new device capable of displaying braille and tactile graphics. Andrew tells us about the really cool new capability’s of the device, and why they threw one down a metal staircase in Canada. Did we mention they cost £14,000? In tech news we discuss the impact of cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at some of the world’s biggest companies, and we look to the future at some of t...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 75
Technology is always moving forward. In this Episode David, Joe, Mairead and Daniel look back at the biggest stories of 2024, and bravely look forward into the great unknown that is 2025. Support the show
Dec 31, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 74
Are David and Joe on the naughty or nice list? We speak to Santa in a desperate bid to find out. We also discuss the AppleVis golden apple awards for 2024, and some of the movies and TV shows with audio description for the Christmas period. Support the show
Dec 17, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 73
We catch up with filip and Lukáš from Blindshell to learn all about the newly released Blindshell Classic 3. The team discuss why they changed direction on support for third-party apps, as well as their future plans for Classic 2 and 3. In tech news we hear of an exciting win for young developer Maura Moore-McCune, and Huawei are rolling out a whole new screen reader. finally, we take a look at some of the Quick Picks that might be filling Santa’s sleigh this Christmas. Send us a WhatsApp voice ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 72
On this weeks show we dive straight into your voice notes and explore the new Seeing AI feature for describing video. The Blindshell classic three makes an appearance in tech news and we say goodbye to the Apple headphone adapter. Support the show
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 3Ep. 71
This week we’re spead dating at Sight Village in London. How many stands can David talk to, and what familiar faces will he meet along the way? Jaws 2025 has been released, and Joe returns to correct the record and tell David off. Send a voice note on WhatsApp now to 086 199 0011. Support the show
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 70
On this week’s Talking Technology Mairead shows off the new features in braille screen input for iOS. Brian gives us a demo of the HumanWare Braille Note Touch, and Daniel is not a bitcoin millionaire. join the conversation with a WhatsApp voice note to 086 199 0011, or email content@vi.ie Support the show
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 69
It’s a packed Show today as David and Joe listen to some of the voice notes sent in to the Show recently. Topics include everything from Elon Musk‘s Blindsight device to the accessibility of the new digital census. We speak to Ed Harper about some of the tech helping him run his Goat Farm without sight, and he tells us about a really cool solution called no fence. Technology news features robotic taxis and accessibility issues at The Irish Times, and we take a look at what’s coming in the latest...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 68
In the latest episode of Talking Technology the team discuss all the latest updates from Apple‘s new iOS 18 release and ask the question why aren’t we getting Apple Intelligence in Ireland for ages. Cobalt join us to talk about some of the appliances in Their range, and share their views on smart tech as the company turns 40. David and Joe listen to your voice notes learning all about the Pan Pickle in the process, and with Daniel’s assistant failing to save the day, he attempts the ultimate acc...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 3Ep. 67
In this weeks Talking Technology we’ve assembled a super panel of accessibility experts to chat about Apples GlowTime event. From new iPhones and Apple watches to AirPods becoming hearing aids, we discuss it all and share if we will be upgrading. In Tech News we chat about winning free Jaws licences, and with €13.1 billion hanging around following the Apple tax ruling, Daniel feels Talking Technology could afford a new podcast host. Share your thoughts with a WhatsApp voice note now. +353 86 199...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 3Ep. 66
From adjusting the fridge temperature using a smart phone app to controlling your oven with Alexa, in this podcast we explore the power of a kitchen built to be smart and accessible. Things aren’t all sunshine and roses however as we explore the safety concerns with smart hobs and Quooker taps. We’ve got the new Virgin Media Play app And allegedly fake accessibility advocates in tech news, and we discuss the reaction to last weeks announcement from AppleVis. Send us your thoughts with a WhatsApp...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Wow, sometimes stories come along that you just don’t expect. David and Joe share their thoughts now with a special episode of Talking Technology Extra, as Be My Eyes acquire AppleVis. Support the show
Aug 28, 2024•15 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Joe has got solar panels on his house, but is the app accessible? What’s the process like? We talk all that and more in this super sustainable episode of Talking Technology. Elaine Slator from the Vision Ireland retail team tells us about the online efforts in the charity shop space, and how you can get some preloved goodies. We chat accessible gaming in tech news, and head down under for a sunshine powered quick pic from Vision Australia. Support the show...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 64
On this weeks Talking Technology David and Joe discuss the Meta smart glasses. As OrCam become the first big AI glasses maker to leave the assistive technology space, what do the Meta glasses tell us for the future. With the Bord Gas Energy theatre gearing up for an audio described performance of Wicked, we chat to them to ask how it all works. Be My Eyes discuss data sharing in tech news, and we chat about the closure of popular site AppleVis. Support the show...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 63Ep. 3
On this weeks talking technology we talk to the team behind the new Vision Ireland Bookshare skill on Alexa, and we’ll also give you a demo where you’ll get an insight into David’s favourite book. With the announcement of blind Barbie dolls, we ask the question does Barbie need a screen reader now? We discuss audio description in the upcoming Olympics and some super cool tactile tools in the kitchen. Contact the podcast team at any time by email to Content@vi.ie, or send a WhatsApp voice note to...
Jul 23, 2024•54 min•Season 3Ep. 62
This week on Talking Technology we dive deeper into description app PiccyBot with its developer Martijn van der Spek. With David not finding much use for PiccyBot last time we spoke about it on Quick Picks, will he be eating his words? In tech news we tell you about a new service launching for Vision Ireland Bookshare users as well as checking out a ton of announcements from Aira. Support the show
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 61
