Tech Talk Features

Welcome one, welcome all... to Tech Talk! Your weekly dose of accessible tech news, reviews and gossip from RNIB Connect Radio! Joining Steven Scott on this week's show - Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz and Andy with the emails, and boy what a show we've put together for you! Coming up, Steven and the team discuss the new arrivals in the Microsoft Surface range: the Surface Laptop Go, and the Surface Pro X tablet. If you're listening to this in the US, both of those devices are out today, for those in the UK, you'll have to wait until the 27th. Are they worth putting on your Christmas list? With the US election drawing ever closer, we discuss just how accessible it is to vote, especially as we remain in a pandemic; Can absentee and early voting options truly be accessible? Tim explains the situation, and we also hear from Chris Denielson of the NFB in the States. Also, we've teamed up with RNIB's Technology for Life team to give you some much needed hints, tips and advice on things it would take us h

Hello everyone! It's time for Tech Talk 348! Thank you for joining us. On today's episode, Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy discuss Google's #LaunchNightIn event of last week, and boy are they all underwhelmed! There was plenty of new techy stuff revealed - the new Pixel 5, a Pixel 4A 5G, Nest Audio, and Chromecast with Google TV... they try to wrap up what they liked most, and what they may end up buying. It's also National Braille Week this week, which gives us a chance to talk about both the Orbit Writer... and Lego! Lego is still cool, no matter your age. Speaking of things that are cool, Bose have revealed a new series of 'Open Ear Audio™ technology' frames, and of course Steven has bought a pair. Shame his head is literally too big! All jokes to the usual email address, please... All that, as well as: an update for those of you having trouble with Audible and the Victor Reader Stream sync problems, the extortionate cost of YouTube TV, balls aplenty, help for musicians, should you buy a smartphone or

Hello, fellow geeks! Welcome to another terrific Tech Talk episode, full to the brim of everything you could wish for! Joining Steven on today's show - Robin from AbilityNet, Tim from Life After Blindness, and Andy from... er... Email Tower? Sure, let's go with that! On today's show you will hear the guys opinions on the latest products to be revealed from Amazon - if you're a fan of stopping home burglaries, or even just seeing what the dog is up to when you're out, you may be interested in the new 'Always Home Cam' from Ring, the home security company owned by Amazon. It's a bit unique... it's an indoor drone!  Steven's pretty excited about the new look Echo Dot products... it turns out the 'hockey puck' shape is a thing of the past... these new ones are spherical! Ideal for accidentally knocking off the nightstand, and rolling under the bed, then. Sticking with Amazon, the Show 10 was also revealed, and the team like the look of it. Is this product going to halt the Facebook Portal device before it eve

Team Tech Talk is here to rock your socks off! Today, the team tackle the rather underwhelming #AppleEvent from last week - if you missed it, don't worry - not only did you not miss anything ground-breaking, but Steven, Robin, and Tim are here to round up all the semi-decent announcements and talking points. Are the new health features worth getting an Apple Watch 6 for? Is the new look iPad a decent investment? Why did we get nothing on the next model of iPhone? We also cover your emails today as well, with Andy. You lovely lot have had a few things to say, including asking why we never give some of the lesser-known screen readers any air time, like Supernova. All this, plus - sleep apnoea, skating rink for your fingers, brief rants from Steven (not rants about his briefs, thankfully), issues with Audible, VoiceOver Recognition, more help on the subject of finding lost kids, WatchMinder, and the revelation that one of us goes to the library to eat his sandwiches. If you would like to get in touch, if

Plundering porpoises! The good ship Tech Talk sets sail once more, thank you for being aboard! On today's episode we welcome back a salty ol' sea-dog to the show... Tim Schwartz is here! Last heard on these particular airwaves on episode 266, Tim returns to turn the tricky threesome into the fearless foursome... or something like that. We catch up with what Tim's been up to, and try not to get too deep into either fires, American politics or the pandemic. This week, Cap'n Scott and his first mates talk Apple (surprise surprise...) now, the radio show and the podcast both come out a few hours before the big #AppleEvent planned for Tuesday 15th, so anyone listening to this show after that date, well.. you know what has been revealed, whilst we're stuck in the past! But the guys have a good crack at discussing the predicted hardware... possibly a new phone, possibly a new tablet... possibly new glasses?! But more likely... just the phone. Of course Steven's going to buy all of it anyway. And just because we

It's a Tech Talk Double Feature this week! Well, kind of.... Firstly, it's the return of RNIB Connect Radio's own Red Szell! A couple of weeks ago, on Tech Talk Episode 336, you may remember Red was in the market for a new laptop. Well, he's only gone and bought one! Steven recommended one from the Dell Inspiron range... did Red splash out on one of those, or something entirely different? In the second half, Andy finally decides to turn up, so we can finally get to your emails! This week... milk ice cubes, phablets, Nova Launchers on Android phones, looking for Richard III, Silenzio, Samsung Z-Flip phones, and lots more! If you want to complete the Tech Talk survey (and you only have until the 9th September to do so), click this link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/techtalkradio or email the team at TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk, and Andy will send you the link, and a wee personalised message, if you're nice. Tech Talk, and it's new motto "Below The Threshold Of Annoying" will return next week... with a

Welcome to the 343rd Tech Talk! That's a lot when you really think about it, isn't it? Firstly, let's get to some housekeeping. If you've heard the show already you'll know we mentioned lots of different bits and bobs at the start, well, here's all the info you need. To fill in the Tech Talk Survey, which runs until the 9th September, click here. The next AbilityNet Accessibility Insights webinar will be on 8th September at 1pm with Paul Smyth of Barclays. For more info, and to register, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6015978276110/WN_oD4cbiDnQ5anO3z67Qn_rQ  To take part in our own wee survey about the wonderful email jingle, click here. And finally, to follow us all on Twitter, we're here: Steven, Robin and Andy. Right! That's all that out of the way, so what's on the show? Well this week it's all about... you! Well, to be more specific, your emails. Steven and Robin sit back with their feet up, as Andy reads out your correspondence on a variety of topics, including: Lanyards

Oh look, it's you! Fancy seeing you here! Just in time for Tech Talk! Steven, Robin & Andy return to talk all manner of gadgets and gizmos, but not before Robin gives out an apology for a boo-boo from last week... He's only gone and mixed up his Williams and Bills! The trio discuss Google Lookout, which has seen some updates over the last week - it now offers two new features: the ability to identify food labels, and to scan documents. Is this the Seeing AI app that Android users were craving? In your emails this week, we answer a question about how long technology is expected to last; it may be a bit unfair comparing it to a 120-year-old Bechstein piano, but is it really too much to ask that a modern smartphone lasts more than a few years? All that, plus: Facemasks, Giraffe readers, Sticking up for the Dolphin Easy Reader, help with TV listings, stiff plastic, changes at Aira, Braille vs QWERTY, a new Android TV dongle, NVDA assistance, lots of Julians and Richards, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Ou

Greetings, Tech Talkees! Join Steven, Robin and Andy on this week's show to hear the fallout from Samsung Unpacked from a few weeks back, and what kind of pull Android has in 2020. We say goodbye to Toshiba tech, as they quietly exited the laptop business for good, after 35 years of great machines. The guys discuss what went wrong, why the sales dropped off, and who is now taking on their PC business. Also listener Will has sent us another Aira in the UK demo, this time to assist with his dinner choices! All that, and more, including: tea jokes, VOD failing blind people, Dynorod, tree-hugging, clippy cortana, Show and Tell not being in the UK yet, Shaun Connery and the band Texas, and even more problems with AD on TV in the UK. As ever, we love your emails! The address to contact us is TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk Catch you all next week!

Are you here for Tech Talk? Well you're in the right place! Steven's here, Robin's there, and Andy's everywhere - on today's TT, plenty of topics to discuss, including 'Theia', a robotic guide dog prototype designed by Anthony Camu - would you switch out having a fluffy, cuddly (and sometimes smelly) real life guide dog, in exchange for one that you need to plug in and recharge every night? And where would the USB slot be?! Crikey! Also, Steven chats with Dave Williams, founder of the Braillists' Foundation, which was set up to bring people together to share their experience and knowledge of braille. The pair chat about a new podcast which is coming out. All that, plus Fabric dots instead of loc dots, emails about Aira in the UK, rooftop garden terraces, conversation view in emails, finding lost sons, windows shortcuts, fail whales, and issues with certain screen-readers and Microsoft Excel. To email us and have your question or query read out on a future episode, email techtalk@RNIB.org.uk Lots of love!

Hello, friends! On this week's Tech Talk, Steven and Robin spend a bit more time discussing Aira now being available in the UK, and how it differs from services such as Be My Eyes. We also have a demo from listener Will trying out the service - thanks Will! (Plus, if you would like 60 minutes free upon signup instead of the usual 30, Will has also shared a referral code, so click this link here: https://link.aira.io/ref-v8n65) Also on the show, RNIB's very own Paulina Kuchorew chats to Linzi Sansum from RNIB’s Older People and Complex Needs Team about 'Chats about Apps' - a podcast series introducing easily accessible technology. Speaking of apps, Andy tells us about a fitness app on iOS, and their focus on audio-led programmes. The developers want to hear from blind and partially sighted fitness fans to help improve their app for those who are often in a neglected group when it comes to working out. All that, plus: hand held magnifiers, recycled computers, not much love towards dentists, Bose Frames an

Hello, Tech Talkers! Here's a warning - this episode is very lively... we've all been fuelled by strong coffee! On today's show, Steven chats with Brendan Lewis from RealSam, the makers of In Your Pocket, to talk about how the product can help blind and partially sighted people, and also to showcase a new handset device just launched. Also on the show, we delve deep into the swimming pool of emails! Aside from all the rogue Radio 4 mentions, we also talk about:  the Echo Show 8, Fujitsu supercomputers, being irked, doubts over ARM-based Macs, backtap headaches on iOS14, Daniel voiced by John, monster big ones, the what3words app, Apple issues with braille displays, ripping the nob off, Bluetooth keyboards, and Spoonbill Hickok ...and Robin's PSA: dont go licking 5G masts! That link for In your Pocket is: inyourpocket.net Coffee aside, we are also fuelled by your emails! They are always fantastic, so to contribute you can email techtalk@rnib.org.uk for a future episode!

Ahoy hoy Tech Talk listeners - what a show we have today! It's braille-tastic! Friend of the show Karina Gregory makes a return to chat to Steven about the recently released Mantis Q40, which, controversially, has a QWERTY keyboard... oooft! Also, sticking with regular Tech Talk contributors, iSee host David Woodbridge has a new demonstration all about using braille with the Apple Watch. Will either of these features convince Robin to get back into braille? All that, plus Twitter and recent hacks, Zoom for Home, font sizes, missing jingles, TW Blue and Chicken Nugget, and Microsoft Outlook update issues. If you want to add to the pages upon pages (or should that be books?) of emails, and we promise we will focus solely on them in the next couple of shows, you can email TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk TTFN! x

Hello hello hello! Welcome to another Tech Talk. It's a Tech Talk of two halves this week; how exciting! Firstly Steven and Robin are joined by Read On host, and general all-round good egg Red Szell, who is in the market for a new computer. Is it true to say that buying a PC or Mac when you're blind or partially sighted requires a little bit more effort? The team talk to Red about his tech history, what he uses his computer for, and what's the team think is best for him. Then for the last half, Andy joins us to cover some more of your lovely emails - Echos with screens, as well as more talk on the Dolphin Easy Reader to name but a few. TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk for all your correspondence! 

Ahoy! The good ship Tech Talk sets sail once again - join Captain Steven Scott, First Mate Robin Christopherson and Cabin Boy Andy for another week of accessible tech adventures! On this week's show, David Woodbridge gives us a demo of the iPhone SE, we talk about the UK arrival of Aira, the subscription service which allows blind and low-vision users to receive remote assistance through an app on a smartphone, and Robin shares the details about an upcoming Ability.Net webinar (details below!) Also on this week: The case of the (soon to be) missing charging bricks, books and copyright laws between the US and UK, SoundScape and the disappearing AR part of the Bose Frames, the best of Carol King, Apple stickers, how to participate in the British Assistive Technology Association/ World Health Association AT survey (again, link below!), defective detectives, password troubles, staying determined and not letting technology beat you, and even Robin choking on a peppercorn after his fancy lunch! Don't worry listen

Hello TT fans! Here's what's on this weeks show: We hear all about the latest PlayStation game currently making headlines... for all the right accessible reasons! The Last of Us 2 is breaking down barriers, meaning gamers with disabilities can also enjoy it, which includes Ross Meegan, who we chat to. Speaking of games, this time of the board variety, we hear from a listener in India who would like to know if any accessible crossword puzzles and accessible Scrabble games exist, so that his students can work on improving their English vocabulary. We also hear about a new research project from Microsoft which could help improve image recognition apps like Seeing Ai or TapTap See. Also on the show: Andy doesn't know what a Sam Brown is, screens falling asleep, audio bass on speakers, a bit of praise and a bit of criticism, both via emails, and Steven listing technology over his wife and dog.... shocker! TechTalk@rnib.org.uk for all your emails, and we promise to cover them in a future show.

We told you we had two treats for you this week... So, here we are, weirdly, on a Thursday! Steven and Robin return, and they've brought back Andy after his day off on Tuesday to go through the overflowing email inbox. So coming up on this show: Tackling Microsoft Teams, BlindSquare and accurate mapping via GPS, iPads, Audio Description levels, and of course we give another mention to the Turbo Scrub... it's getting so many mentions I think we should start getting advertising money! Also, for all you geeky audio fans out there that always ask about how we record the podcast, especially during lockdown, Andy, Steven and Robin detail what equipment they use to make the show sound so silky smooth, from microphones, mixing desks, audio interfaces, conference call software and audio recording software.  As we covered a few more emails this week, now would be a good time to get your questions and comments in! techtalk@rnib.org.uk is the email address. Chat to you all next Tuesday!

Hello all! We have a couple of treats for you this week, TT fans! Firstly, today - Steven is joined by Robin Christopherson (from AbilityNet), and Shaun Preece (from... his shed) to discuss, dissect and disassemble Monday's WWDC from Apple... what was announced, what was not announced, and what about the new accessibility features that don't often get covered on the day? The trio talk about what they're most looking forward to. And the second treat? Well, you'll have to wait until Thursday for that...!

On Tech Talk this week, the team tackle the overflowing email inbox! This includes all the correspondence received on the screen reader chat from last week; which do you prefer? Narrator, NVDA or JAWS? Also on the show, we talk about Apple moving away from Intel's x86 chips to new processors of Apple's own design, recommendations for wireless headsets, and Steven gets to the bottom of the news that RNIB Book Library are (possibly) offering SD Cards containing 700 braille ready books. To email us, drop your message to techtalk@rnib.org.uk and it'll be read out on a future show!

Steven's here, Robin's there, and Andy is... somewhere! Yes, it's Tech Talk o'clock! On today's show, we hear from RNIB Library and Newsagent Manager James Bartlett, who chats to Rowland Myers about the RNIB's online accessible book library, Steven gives a demo of how to set up and access the service using the Dolphin EasyReader app, and Robin tells us all about the updates to Narrator, and gives a rather eye-opening horse/donkey analogy! Also on this weeks episode: Andy McNab vs Hamish Macbeth, details about the impending Windows update, chocolate in the fridge, Linux, ElBraille, NVDA vs Narrator, Apple Watch recommendations, Andy's confusion regarding the how Amazon name each new Fire HD, and who remembers Clippy? We do jest about the email inbox overflowing, but in all honesty the show would be a shell of its former self without your correspondence! So come natter with us at TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk and we'll read them out - and whisper it quietly... rumours around that the next show will be more focused