Tech Talk Features

Are you sitting comfortably? Well let's begin! Hello, and welcome back to Tech Talk, and boy-o-boy what a show we have for you this week - it's jam-packed full of fun, frolics and fabulousness! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and Andy... and Shaun Preece! Yes, the friendly neighbourhood shed-dweller returns to his old haunting ground. Why, you may ask? Well it's to cover the topic of screen readers - we're now in 2021, so what's the best for use at home right now, especially for those starting out with screen readers? Yes, we know JAWS is great for professional use - to help you whilst you're at work, but this is about use out of the office. Shaun's an NVDA user - why did he choose that over others on the market such as VoiceOver, Narrator, or Dolphin? Can he persuade the others on the show to switch to? And why is Steven in trouble with his wife over Narrator? If you would like to read Robin's historical look back at screen readers on the AbilityNet website, you can do so here: https://abilitynet.org.uk

Welcome back one and all, it's Tech Talk 368! It's a bit crowded in Tech Talk Towers today, no room to swing the proverbial cat - not only do we have our regulars Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz and Emails Andy, but we're joined by Dean Ormond, radio presenter extraordinaire, who comes pre-loaded with his own tech question... what's your preferred choice in 2021, phone or computer? When it comes to everyday tasks, like banking, shopping or social media, do you reach for the PC, or the smartphone? Is it as simple as saying computer for work, mobile for personal? Also on today's show, the guys talk about their first few days trying the Clubhouse app, the new 'invitation-only' social networking app, which is predominately all about audio. How does it rank in terms of accessibility? Do Steven and Tim see it having legs to rival WhatsApp?  Our very own Robin has been chatting to people - we hear his interview with Pramit from the Louie Voice Control app, which allows users to do everything w

Yes, it is us, the Tech Talk crew... We're back - they cant keep us away! Joining Steven today - Robin, Tim and Emails Andy... and speaking of emails, let's talk about our inbox - over the past few months we have been lamenting about how far behind we are; well, we've spent some time offline getting our ducks in a row - a spring clean, if you will. So some of your questions have been deliberately redirected to the RNIB's Technology for Life Team to tackle, and we'll be getting to those over the coming weeks, but there are still some that we could comment on, on the show - and that is what today is all about! We cover some feedback on our two Android specific shows from a few weeks ago - how does Robin react to being accused of bias? What is it that's so gripping about the Apple eco-system? Whilst on the subject of Apple vs Android, we also talk at length about the VoiceOver rotor on iPhone, with one listener calling it a bugbear, so we have some solutions. We also talk more on NaviLens, following up on th

Hello everyone, it's Tech Talk o'clock! This week's show is split into two halves; firstly, Steven, Robin, and Tim are joined by David Ward, host of the Echo Tips podcast to talk all things smart speakers! The show is part of the New Vision Programme run by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Virginia in the US. What's the one thing that would make Robin leave the Echo family, and head over to Google? What annoys Steven the most about owning a smart speaker? What productivity skills available on the Echo range are Tim's most commonly used? In the second half, we're joined by Andy to dip our techy toes in the pool of emails from you, dear listener! Among the topics covered today - more love for the Victor Reader Stream and the Orbit Writer, a final glance over a few responses on the Braille illiteracy topic, overly long audiobooks, and not much love for the female American voices on talking microwaves!  You too can have your email read out on air... maybe even get a regal email title to go with it! E

Good day to you all! We continue our Android theme this week inviting Steve Nutt from Computer Room Services to join Steven, Robin and Tim to talk about the benefits Android can bring to blind people, and the hot specialist tech that's flying out the door. Also, Yvonne Brooks from RNIB's Technology for Life team joins the guys to talk about the new LIDAR scanner in the iPhone 12 Pro range, and gives her views on the benefits of the new tech. Also, keep your ears peeled for a really bad acapella joke from Mr Scott! For all your tech questions, queries and confusions, email TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk, and we'll feature it on an upcoming show. Coming up next week, David Ward from the Echo Tips podcast talking all about getting the most out of Lady A!

Here at Tech Talk Towers we are, on occasion, told we talk about Apple a little too much. In our defence, we do so because we own a lot of their products, and they are far and away leading the pack when it comes to accessibility in smartphone tech. But that doesn't mean we should brush Android under the carpet. This week, Steven, Robin and Andy welcome Dinos from RNIB's Technology for Life team cover Android with much more clarity than usual. Hot off the release of a new Samsung flagship smartphone, we start by talking about the Galaxy S21; just how impressive is it? If the selling points are the screen quality, and the amazing camera ability, is it really something blind and partially sighted smartphone users would buy? Maybe the higher-end priced Android phones aren't for you - what's out there in the low-cost range? Are these phones still worth looking into? Accessibility is also a hot topic - as said above, we know Apple leads the way in terms of making their phones accessible - how far behind are A

Time for Tech Talk! On this week's show, Steven, Robin and Andy are joined by birthday boy David Woodbridge to talk all about Apple! With Steven and David having a selection of new Apple products, the guys talk about how they're finding the MacBook Air, the AirPod Max headphones, and Series 6 Apple Watch - has the MacBook and the M1 chip met expectations? Are the headphones comfortable to wear continuously? How does Braille Display support work on the Watch? Also, we ask the daunting question... have any of the team tried Apple Fitness+? Also on this week, RNIB's Technology For Life team return! Joanne Wilson joins us to tell us all about some popular iOS14 features we may or may not know about. In amongst all that, we talk about: vino, thick hair, commissions on jokes, Be My Eyes and odd phone calls, new speakers, candles, crisps on the couch, condensation, and, poo. Yes, we do apologise if you're eating whilst listening this week. If you have a question needing an answer, and you'd like the team to

Brand new year, same old Tech Talk! Welcome back everyone, we hope your Christmas and New Year was as good as current situations allow, and that 2021 has started as close to promising as possible. The team of Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy return for our first official TT of the new year (even though we have been on already... shhh). On today's episode, the team talk about the 'World' update to Seeing AI, which utilises the LIDAR tech found in the latest iPhones. Sadly this means the only person to be able to test it so far is the one in the group who likes shiny new Apple things - Steven! We get his thoughts on locating mugs, dogs, and everything in between. Also, Robin's telling us all about an update to Google Nest series, and the introduction of sleep tracking. Some of us already use phone apps to monitor how much of a good nights kip we got; we'd love to hear if you think this is a good idea or not. We also tackle emails - Is it worth looking into an Apple TV, if the Amazon Fire Stick seems to offer it

Happy New Year Tech Talk fans! Following on from the last episode, where we reviewed 2020, we now look ahead at what is ahead of us in 2021, and once again, we do it for two whole hours! Team STAR reunite, yes, Steven , Tim, Andy and Robin lay out their thoughts about what lies ahead - flip phones, phablets, ultrawide band, a little bit more WFH, better wearables, satisfying clicks, 5G and so much more!

What a year, eh? I'm sure many of you will be glad to have 2020 behind us; there certainly has been a lot to talk about, especially in tech! So much so in fact, we're with you for the next TWO HOURS! Yes, on this back-to-back Boxing Day Tech Talk extravaganza, Steven, Robin and Tim are joined by David Woodbridge from Vision Australia to reflect on the year in technology - Airpods, Narrator, Facebook Portal... and squeezy penguins.

It's time for a very special episode of Tech Talk! Yes, Steven has given Tim, Andy and Robin the day off to finish their Christmas shopping, and instead welcomes some of RNIB's Technology For Life team in instead! Joining Steven this week are Jo Fullerton, Madleen Mann, Mohammed Atif, and Ben Rendle; together, they discuss the most pertinent questions the team receive, some of the common answers and solutions, as well as the team's own top tech highlights of the year. Find out more about the Technology For Life team here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/practical-help/technology-hub/technology-support

Good day to you all, welcome back to Tech Talk! We've got a Steven, a Robin, a Tim and an Andy on today's show, the usual suspects. On today's show, we welcome Amazon Show and Tell to a UK audience, an accessibility feature that identifies common pantry items and other things using your Echo Show's camera. It's new to these shores, and we waste no time in discussing its usefulness and uniqueness - Steven spoke to Dennis Stansbury from Amazon UK to talk about how it all works. Speaking of Lady A, we hear from Yvonne Brooks from the RNIB's Technology for Life team, who joins us to explain the range of Alexa products with a screen - a must listen if you're thinking of buying an Echo Show for Christmas! Speaking of treating yourself to a gift over Christmas, there's also been some rather expensive over-ear headphones released recently - AirPod Max headphones are the latest product released under the Apple brand, and it's causing quite a stir, well... the price tag is, at least. Which of the group has been

Hello, all! We're back, and straight back into the Tech Talk email inbox! Joining RNIB Connect Radio's Steven Scott this week - Robin Christopherson from the wonderful AbilityNet, Tim Schwartz from the lovely lifeafterblindness.com, and of course emails Andy. Quite a few themes in the emails this week including lots on Lady A, such as: calling costs and VOIP calls, tripod mounts and a link with guide dogs. There's also plenty on Audible Sync problems. Some of the other topics we cover include: iOS14 issues, Eggnog, hellos from Croatia, listening to us whilst doing the ironing, Gadflies, An Englishman struggling with obscure Scottish phrases, Utunes (or is it oooo-tunes?), iPad being set up straight out of the box, Wigtown Book Festival, and a right techie question that Steven could get his teeth into - is the Rodecaster Pro accessible? Davinder also joins us from the RNIB Technology for Life team, talking to us about memory... I'd tell you more, but I've forgotten... ha! We've done a right good job get

Iiiiiit's Tech Talk time! Okay, so you've done your festive gift shopping thanks to last week's gift guide episode of Tech Talk, so you should be feeling all festive and merry; so settle in, because Steven, Robin and Tim are here to answer your emails! Andy opens up the many pages saved up from you lovely listeners, and over this week and next we'll be reading them out, and discussing all the things you've messaged to us. This week, we cover: TW Blue, Lord of the Dance, TuneIn and the licensing rules which Steven expertly explains, reading PDF documents on Edge, dual bluetooth earphones, port and cigars, the NFL and football, Huawei, WhatsApp and Twitter, boogying down to the Bee Gees, auto text not working, broken earpods, first PCs, and many many more. So grab yourself a mulled wine, maybe a couple of mince pies, settle down on the sofa, and enjoy this cracker of a show! Oh yes, before we forget - 2021 is just around the corner, so if you would like to be one of the first emails to be read out in t

Ho Ho Ho! Greetings Tech Talk fans, welcome to a special, festive episode - yes, we know it's still only November, and yes, many of us around the world are still in some kind of lockdown, but we're not letting it knock our seasonal spirit. In fact, we're combining our festive feelings with our love of shopping, and tech! Yes, in this episode, Steven, Tim, Robin and Andy have gathered a collection of festive treats that we think you - yes you, dear listener - should be adding to your present list. We cover a wide scope of toys, gifts, gadgets and gizmos - we talk about accessible gaming (both handheld and consoles), smart speakers, doorbells, watches, smart frames, plugs, mugs, backpacks and more! What is top of your Christmas list? Do any of these suggestions interest you, or do you have any suggestions of your own? Email us at TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk

Welcome back Tech Talk fans, we hope this week's show finds you well. Steven, Robin, Andy and Tim return for another hour of tech-delight courtesy of RNIB Connect Radio.. Unsurprisingly, we begin this week with One More Thing, Apple's third event in as many months, which was broadcasting their new Mac range - the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, now with the new M1 chips designed and built by themselves. So what does this mean, in the larger picture? Are these new products worth an investment of our hard-earned money? Does dropping Intel signal the death knell for them? Which of these products do our Apple fanboys have in their online shopping cart already? Also this week, RNIB's Paul Porter returns to the show to talk us through the Dolphin Easy Reader app now being available on the Fire Tablet range, and we're also joined by Chris Turner from the Technology For Life Team, who is telling us all about custom iOS gestures. All that, plus maybe, just maybe, a quick dive into your emails. If Steven

Hello friends! Team Tech Talk is here with you for another hour of accessible technology goodness! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and Andy for a jam-packed show.  First, we hear about a new talking microwave that has been launched by the RNIB that aims to simplify the cooking experience for blind and partially sighted people. Steven chats to Claire Maxwell from the RNIB Products Team about the new kitchen appliance, and also to Kim Jaye, a blind cook who has been testing it out.  We also take a deep dive into the TechTalk email inbox, starting things off by covering some of your replies with regards to the Braille email we had a few weeks back. We received a lot on this topic from you, dear listener, so many thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions, and apologies if we didn't manage to get to your email this week. Also this week, Robin has been chatting with Microsoft and City University of London about Seeing AI, we hear once again from the Technology for Life team - this week, Mark explains about

Hello, all, and welcome to a special episode of Tech Talk this week; Robin, Andy and Tim get the week off, and Steven instead sits down to talk accessible gaming with two guests! Joining Steven is Ian Hamilton, and Sightless Kombat.  On the eve of the next era of console releases, with the Xbox Series X, and the PlayStation 5 due to be released this month, the world is about to take its latest step into modern console gaming - but what does that mean for those who are blind and partially sighted? What if you buy an expensive next-gen console, only to find none of the games are accessible to you? Of course, that's not the only method - PC gaming, Virtual Reality headsets, even gaming on smart speakers - what paths are the industry taking to make gaming a world for everyone? Also on this show, we hear from Steven Davidson from RNIB's Technology for Life team, who joins us to introduce a new book to help us understand iOS14. What are your thoughts on accessible gaming in 2020? With advances in console and

Good day to you all, and welcome to Tech Talk! On today's podcast you'll be hearing from our regulars: Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz, and Andy with the Emails. Speaking of emails, we begin this week's show with one that came in recently; regular listeners to the show will recall that Robin is now in possession of a Optelec Voyager refreshable Braille terminal, and has started using it as part of his daily life. Steven's also had lessons to relearn Braille over the last twelve months... but are they being too flippant towards learning braille? One listener has got in contact to suggest that their attitude towards Braille has irritated them, and that anyone unable to read Braille who is blind or visually impaired is, in their words, illiterate. It brought about a serious and thought-provoking discussion among the team which covered education, availability and advancements in technology, and the importance of Braille in our lives. There's a lot to unpack in this, and we fully expect you, d

We've made it to 350! Can you believe it?! 350 Tech Talk shows, amazing stuff - well done to all of you who have survived them all! Today's episode is a right Apple fest; Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy gather together to talk about the 'Hi, Speed' Apple event from last week. We're going to be getting four new iPhones - iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and a iPhone 12 Pro Max - which one is at the top of the guys shopping lists? We take a deep dive into all the features - improved displays, improved cameras, better speed, LIDAR, MagSafe, LTE and 5G, Ceramic Shield and being 4x less resistant to drop damage... are these the kind of features that could persuade you to upgrade? Also coming soon are a new range of HomePod Minis - these ones are sphere shaped, that apparently can interact with each other; can they rival Echo devices, and take over the home? Also on this week's show, we welcome back the RNIB's Technology For Life team; this week, find out all about the popular app Be My Eyes. We'd love