Episode 222: MWC2025 AND MARCH2025 PIXEL DROP Android Basics Welcome to Episode222. In this segment, Google dropped both the March Pixel Feature-drop for Pixel phones and the Watches. SPOTLIGHT In the spotlight segment, we highlight what took place at the MWC2025 week, where Samsung dropped a trio of phones— A26, A36 and A56 . We also mentioned in passing phones from the likes of Honor , Xiaomi and ZTE . HARDWARE DEMO Our friend and listener of the podcast Aaron Spears shows us how to inst...
Mar 09, 2025•2 hr 33 min•Ep 222•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 221: OnePlus 13 Review and New Voices for RHVoice TTS Android Basics Welcome to Episode 221. In this episode, Olga, the Dev of “ RHVoice ” informs us of what’s going on with the new voices for Armenian and Finish languages. Google dropped a little patch for Android 16 Beta 2 , bringing it to Android16Beta2.1 with the following fixes: Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented devices from entering Doze mode. (Issue #396603519) Fixed issues that caused some animations to appear choppy ...
Mar 02, 2025•2 hr 36 min•Ep 221•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 220, shopping with innosearch AI Android basics Talkback 15.2 has been released. Braille displays which use the HID protocol are now supported via Bluetooth, such as the most recent releases from Humanware. Spotlight We are joined by Patrick Long from Innosearch AI, a shopping site which aims to make the experience of shopping from major retailers more accessible. App of the week Warren brings us a demonstration of the game Project Dark . Commentary Karene shows us the touch lockin...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep 220•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 219: THE STATE OF AUDIO RECORDERS IN 2025 Welcome to Episode 219. In this episode, we continue on our journey of essential app categories in 2025 and this week, we focus on Audio Recorders. Android Basics Keeping in line with the subject matter of this episode, we discussed the following recorders: ASR Recorder , Easy Recorder , HiQ MP3 Recorder , Dolby On , Advanced Recorder , Parrot Voice Recorder , AudioLab Audio Editor/Recorder , etc. SPOTLIGHT In the spotlight segment, we take a loo...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep 219•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 218, The state of text editors in 2025 Android basics We continue our look at app categories we examined a few years ago, to see what has change as apps come and go, or simply get updated. This week, it’s the turn of text editors. We discuss the pros and cons of Google Keep - Notes and Lists , UpNote , Simple Text Editor , Microsoft Word , Google Docs , Simplenote and Joplin . Unboxing Warren unboxes the HMD Vibe . Staying in touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your A...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 217, First open listener session of 2025 We’re delighted to be joined by our listeners to discuss a range of topics related to Android. Unboxing John unboxes the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra . Staying in touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list , join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-3...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 216: Android16Beta1&Samsung S25-Series Unpack Event Welcome to Episode216. In this episode, we salute the 1st Android16Beta and welcoming the Samsung S25-series of phones. ANNOUNCEMENTS We update you as to what’s going on with Ed’s family and wish Katie a belated birthday. Android Basics Keeping in line with the subject matter of this episode, this segment focuses on the 1st Beta of Android16Beta1, where interested users can enrol using this page . https://www.google.com/android/beta...
Jan 25, 2025•2 hr 33 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 215: E-BOOK READERS PART1 (BLIND-CENTRIC READERS) Welcome to Episode215, our very first episode of revisiting categories from the past 3 years. In this episode, we’re starting off with E-Book Readers and for this week, we focus on blind-centric readers. Android Basics Keeping in line with the subject matter of this episode, this segment focuses on the 3 apps listed above— Dolphin Easy Reader , Legere Reader and Tech-Freedom . UNBOXING John unboxes his brand spanking new OnePlus 13....
Jan 19, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 214, CES 2025 and The OnePlus 13 and 13R Android Basics We discuss the latest beta releases from Samsung and Google. One UI 7.0 Beta 3 and Android 15 QPR 2 Beta 2.1 . Spotlight 1 We let you know what Android related news caught our attention at CES 2025 . Spotlight 2 We give you the details from the OnePlus winter Event and share our thoughts on the new OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R . Staying in Touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comment...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 213: BATTERY VERSUS PERFORMANCE Welcome to Episode213, our very first episode for the year 2025. Android Basics In this episode, we deliberate on Battery versus Performance. In other words, which one is better? Is it better to have a phone with a great performance, or is it better to have one that has great battery with a mid-of-the road performance? APP OF THE WEEK For this week’s “APP of the week,” we demo a file-management app called “ File Manager ” by a developer called “ File Manag...
Jan 04, 2025•1 hr•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 212, Our Favorite Android Apps and Phones of 2024 We get together with some of our listeners and discuss our favorite apps and phones of the year. Here is Kareen's Article explaining the differences between PiccyBot and Seeing AI Video Descriptions. Please add to this thread on Samsung Members to help us put an end to this talkBack fragmentation nonsense. Staying in Touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our E...
Dec 29, 2024•2 hr 42 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 211, 4th Anniversary Celebrasion Episode211 is a very special episode for us as we observe our 4th year in existence and we want to sincerely thank those that were able to join us in observing this milestone. Staying in Touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list , join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions p...
Dec 21, 2024•2 hr 42 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 210: 2nd visit with Tech-Freedom Welcome to Episode210. ANNOUNCEMENTS We would like to remind you that next week, Dec. 21, is our 4th anniversary celebration of the existence of Blind Android Users . We encourage all our readers and listeners to join us in celebrating this monumental milestone. Spotlight We are joined by the crew of “ Tech-Freedom ” (their second appearance on our podcast) to talk about the changes that came down earlier this month and what that means for users of the ap...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 209, Samsung One UI 7 Beta Announcements The countdown is on to our 4- year anniversary celebration! We will be recording on 21 December at 12PM Eastern or 9AM Pacific and you are invited to take part. We’ll be posting a link on our usual channels closer to the time. Android Basics We discuss the December feature drop for qualifying Google Pixels, and the announcement that some phones will get upgrades for longer than previously thought. You can read about these feature...
Dec 08, 2024•2 hr 41 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 208, the role of AI in the life of a blind person Announcements The countdown is on to our 4- year anniversary celebration! We will be recording on 21 December at 12PM Eastern or 9AM Pacific and you are invited to take part. We’ll be posting a link on our usual channels closer to the time. Our Youtube channel has reached 1,500 subscribers! Thank you so much for all your support. Android Basics The crew discusses the rapidly evolving world of AI and its use cases for blind peo...
Nov 30, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 207, All About Android 16 Developer Preview Announcements Join us in 4 Weeks for our 4- year celebration. We will be recording on Dec 21st at 12PM Eastern or 9AM Pacific and you are invited to take part. Android Basics android 16 has shown itself early this year. We discuss the developer preview that just dropped this past week and what we are looking most forward to. TalkBack Highlights John shows us the new web reading controls we now have access to as of TalkBack 15.1. Staying i...
Nov 23, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 206: TalkBack 15.1 is Here Android Basics We discuss all that's new in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 . Spotlight TalkBack 15.1 has arrived, and we share everything new we have discovered so far. App of the Week Warren demonstrates Startpage , a web browser focused on privacy. TalkBack Highlights John shows us the new ways of activating links as of TalkBack 15.1. Staying in touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email l...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 205: Concluding One UI settings Announcements We would be delighted if everyone could join us for our 4-year anniversary on Saturday 21 December. Please join us at noon Eastern, 5 PM UK time and 9 AM Pacific so save the date! Android turned 17 this week. It can now obtain a driving licence in the UK and apparate in the Wizarding World. Android basics This week, John concludes our look at Samsung One UI settings, demonstrating what you’ll find in About phone. App of the week W...
Nov 09, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 204: Seeing AI Video Descriptions and One UI Tips and User Guide Announcements Don't forget to join us for our 4-year celebration on December 21st at 9 AM PST or 12 PM EST. Spotlight We discuss all the new features in the latest update to Seeing AI , but focus mostly on our first impressions of the video description feature. Android Basics John takes us through the "Tips and User Guide" portion of Samsung's One UI settings. App of the Week Warren demonstrates the reading app that calls i...
Nov 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 203: Big week for Qualcomm and Android15 QPR1 Beta 3 ANDROID BASICS This week has been a busy week for many companies, among them, Google who rolled out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 for Pixel6-series through Pixel9-series. Spotlight This week, Qualcomm showcased the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite during its annual conference in Maui, HI, where it unveiled the new generation of the Qualcomm chip that would be powering most flagship phones next year. APP OF THE WEEK For this week’s “App of the week...
Oct 26, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 202: Android 15 Announcements We would be delighted if everyone could join us for our 4-year anniversary on Saturday 21 December. Please join us at noon Eastern, 5 PM UK time and 9 AM Pacific so save the date! Android basics This week, it’s all about Android 15 which dropped for eligible devices on 15 October. The crew talk you through some of the key features and changes. App of the week Warren brings us a demo of Simplenote . Tip of the week Warren shows us how to archive a...
Oct 20, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 201: A conversation with the developer of WalkersGuide Announcements Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 200th episode. The next big thing is our 4-year anniversary on Saturday 21 December. We would be delighted if you could join us at noon Eastern, 5 PM UK time and 9 AM Pacific so save the date! Spotlight We are joined by Eric Scheibler, the developer of the GPS app WalkersGuide . App of the week Warren demonstrates the email app Thunderbird , which many listeners wi...
Oct 13, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 200: Party time This week, we are joined by our listeners for a party to celebrate our 200th episode! Staying in touch Make a donation via PayPal , Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list , join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 06, 2024•2 hr 40 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 199: One UI Settings (Software update settings) Announcements Our 200th episode is in just a week, on Saturday 5 October 2024 at noon Eastern, 5 PM UK time and 9 AM Pacific. We would be delighted if you could join us then so save the date! When the time comes, please join via the above link. Android basics This week we continue our look at One UI settings on Samsung devices. This time, John brings us a demonstration of software update settings. Spotlight We take a look at pro...
Sep 28, 2024•2 hr 39 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 198: One UI Settings (Accessibility Settings Part 3) Announcements Our 200th episode is in just two weeks time - on Saturday 5 October 2024. We would be delighted if you could join us then so save the date! John appeared on Double Tap recently to talk about Talkback 15. Take a listen to his interview . Android basics This week we continue our look at One UI settings on Samsung devices, in which John concludes his tour of accessibility settings. Unboxing John unboxes the Samsu...
Sep 21, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 197: Accessibility Part 2 in One UI Settings ANNOUNCEMENTS Our 200th episode is coming up on October 5th, 2024 and we encourage you to set aside some time and join us to party for this great milestone! ANDROID BASICS We return to our journey through the One UI Settings and this week, we bring you Accessibility part 2 as we shine the light on the "Hearing Enhancements" and “Dexterity and Interaction” sections. Spotlight This episode’s spotlight is all about Android 15 QPR Beta1.2 and “ Ge...
Sep 15, 2024•2 hr 35 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 196: Talkback 15 Announcements Our 200th episode is on Saturday 5 October 2024. We would be delighted if you could join us then so save the date! Spotlight This week it’s all about the release of Talkback 15, one of the most consequential Talkback releases in years. Talkback highlights John demonstrates the new, Gemini-powered AI image descriptions in Talkback 15. Tip of the Week Warren shows us how to import material into ElevenLabs Reader . Android journey Kenny Hitt joins us to ...
Sep 08, 2024•2 hr 55 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 195: An Interview with the Developer of StreamSphere RSS Reader Spotlight We are delighted to be joined by Martin Vivian, the developer of StreamSphere (an RSS reader demonstrated by Warren a few weeks back). App of the Week Warren demonstrates Thumbtack , an app for hiring folks to do projects around the house that you don't want to tackle yourself. JIESHUO (CSR) kareen explains what one-finger long gestures are and how to use them. Staying in touch Make a donation via PayPa...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 194: Pixel 9 series unboxings and a review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Announcements Thank you to those who entered our competition to win a lifetime’s access to the PiccyBot app. We’ll be in touch with the winners this week. Our 200th episode is on Saturday 5 October 2024. We would be delighted if you could join us then so save the date! Spotlight Joe Hodge returns with a review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 . Unboxing We resume our annual tradition with Warren and John ...
Aug 24, 2024•2 hr 57 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast Episode 193: Made by Google 2024 Announcements Enter our competition to win access to the PiccyBot app following our interview with the developer last week. Our 200th episode is on Saturday 5 October 2024. We want you to join us then so save the date! Spotlight This week saw Made by Google 2024 take place on 13 August. The crew discuss the phones, watches and AI features of products announced at the event. My Android journey Joseph Hodge joins us to tell his Android journey sto...
Aug 18, 2024•2 hr 42 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast