All Cool Blind Tech Shows

In this podcast, Justin goes over the Speedtest.net app for iOS. He explains what it is used for, how it is useful in real world applications, and demonstrates how to proficiently navigate the application.

In this podcast, Alex takes us on a brief tour of the recently released Mozilla Firefox for iOS. There are some bugs and issues, but overall it's a smooth browsing experience. See Marco Zehe's post for more information.

This week on Spotlight the Cool Blind Tech Team features Claria Zoom. Claria Zoom is an all-in-one application helping elderly & people suffering from eye diseases (AMD, glaucoma…) stay active and independent. Download it now Claria Zoom won the Golden Silmo award at the 2014 World Optics Fair in Paris. Unrivalled reading & writing comfort Extra large characters Contrasted color themes Big keyboards Speech activation available on any screen Interface Claria Zoom FeaturesGrey copie 20+ redesigned functionalities Communication: Phone, Text messages, Emails Daily tools: GPS, Calendar, Clock, Calculator, Voice memos, Notes, Weather, File explorer Entertainment: Music player, Newspapers, Radio player, Audio book reader, Web browser Camera: Take a photo/video, Electronic magnifier, Optical character recognition (OCR)

A Blind Legend Game Review: Is It A Game Of Thrones or A Game Of Groans?

With the recent release of KNFB Reader for Android, we can now see how text recognition and accuracy can differ among various smartphones. Does iOS still have an edge over recognition quality? What are some of the shortcomings of the Android app? Taking the same document, we run it through the camera of a Galaxy Note 5 and an iPhone 6s, which offer the 2015-era top notch camera quality from both Apple and Samsung. You can grab the Android version of KNFB Reader here Or grab the iOS one from the iTunes Store here.

VIP: Apple TVs and Chromecast, i’m Sorry, I Can’t Search for Erotic Programs

How To Change The Default Web Browser In Windows 10

In the Spotlight we talk to Bin Liu and Arjun Mali developers of the BuzzClip. iMerciv has developed a small, discreet and versatile wearable for people that are blind or living with significant vision loss. The BuzzClip, uses ultrasound to detect obstacles that may lie directly in one's path. It then notifies the user of these obstacles through intuitive vibrations, allowing the user to safely navigate around any objects that they may walk into. PRE ORDER NOW!

Comics Empower is featured in this weeks Spotlight Interview. The online comic book shop that was created by Guy Hasson. who makes comics for the blind and the visually impaired! After more than 20 years writing for theatre, writing science fiction stories and books, and writing for film, Guy created the indie comic book company New Worlds Comics. Among other things, he initiated the Comics Empower Project, where real people told their real stories about how comics empowered, helped, or inspired them. The real stories showed him how deeply comics empower people for decades. This inspired the creation of the Comics Empower store, the comic book store for the blind and the visually impaired. More than that, it inspired the creation of the exclusive series, Aurora, an adventure sci-fi series with a blind hero. Useful links: First Timer's Ultimate Guide to Comics. Check out the writing competition for blind or visually impaired writers.

Spotlight Interview: Accessibility from a 22 Point of View

The grammar-precise side of me cringes a little when using the word "nexai," but from an accessibility perspective, it fits well! Join Me, Leo, and Quentin on a Marshmallow expedition in this edition of the VIP roundtable podcast, as Cool Blind Tech dissects the Google event and uncovers an array of nexus devices. First, we have the Nexus 5X. The device features a 5.2 inch screen at a resolution of 1080 x 1920, a Snapdragon 64-bit 808 processor, and 2 gigabytes of ram. It comes in 16 or 32 GB versions. Google also talked up their new always-on OK Google feature, but why not listen to the podcast to find out more? The phone starts at $379 USD. The other phone, The Nexus 6P features a larger 5.7 inch screen, a faster CPU, but at a higher $499 price point. Finally, we spoke of some of the features in Marshmallow, such as the new features for permissions. Find a list of features here, as posted on the Android website. Google also introduced a slew of Chromecast devices. One is the Regular $35 Chromecast which features better wifi with dual-band AC, plus a detachable HDMI cable. Another is the Chromecast Audio , which is also $35 but is geared towards audio-only streaming, through a 3.5 MM aux jack to your stereo or through optical input.

In this podcast, Justin goes through how to use the 3D Touch features on the iPhone 6s. He shows us how to do this on the home screen, to peak into things as well as pop into them and finally the settings available for this new feature.

In this Spotlight interview we feature Akash Khanolkar the CEO of CrowdViz. CrowdViz is an iOS app that unites blind people with our trusted sighted assistants. Blind users can receive immediate sighted assistance by connecting to an assistant and it is as easy as a click of a single button.

At the very tail end of August, Voice Dream Reader, the wildly popular book reading app, launched on Android. This opens up a huge potential market, ranging from students who want to read college coursework on-the-go, to professionals who drive a lot and need an easy way of reading materials with high-quality voices. Because of the excellent price range of Android devices, you can now own a book reader for under $100. We've interview Winston Chen who developed the iOS application, which has now grown into a comprehensive app. Getting this to work on Android from scratch was a unique challenge, as it requires a great effort and collaboration between features and platforms. Michael Scott developed the Android version of Voice Dream Reader, and it has many of the same functionality as found on iOS: Bookmarks, various high quality voices from Acapela (at the moment, Ivona is expected in a future update), along with bookmarking support, DRM-free Epubs, bookshelf views, Bookshare, Dropbox,One drive integration, visual adjustment of the document's contents, highlighting, built-in web browser... Just what does it take to develop an Android app anyway? How difficult was it to have all of these features migrate over from the iOS world? What are some future plans for the app? Ultimately, what goals might the team have in mind for its purpose? We sit down with both Michael and Winston to talk about the development and story of Voice Dream reader.

In This edition of the VIP Roundtable, we take a look at the recent Apple Event and the products announced. Starting with Apple Watch, Justin declares his love for red bands and tells us why he thinks the Watch OS 2 and native watch apps will bring the watch to life. Please note that since this recording that Watch OS 2 did not release on September 16 due to ongoing bug fixes. No new launch date has been given. Shortly after the panel discusses iPad Pro, can it really replace the desktop or laptop computer? Is that even what it’s created to do? With great CPU and GPU power and a large 12.9″ display? Will we finally get desktop class apps that can go head to head with your trusty desktop computer? Also after Steve Jobs famously remarked “Who wants a Stylus.” What is Apple doing with the Apple Pencil? The much anticipated Apple TV is next with the introduction of some great Siri integration which includes universal search, a touch enabled bluetooth remote and the amazing potential of the new Apple TV app store, have Apple finally earned a place in your living room? Just why are we still waiting for Audio Described content from Apple iTunes and Amazon? Wrapping up this episode we come to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Although relegated to last place in Apples running order, the new iPhones features of 3D Touch, 12MP rear facing camera, 5MP FaceTime camera and Harry Potter-like Living Photos means theres lots to talk about. Will the new 3d Touch interface be accessible to VoiceOver users? The new A9 CPU promises a 70% increase in speed over the A8 chip and Justin already pre-ordering his, are the new features enough to temp Leo and award-winning Android developer Quentin to pick one up, if so is the new Apple Upgrade Program worth a look? With a monthly fee starting at $32 for 24 months and the option to upgrade to the latest iPhone every year, can Apple compete with the Mobile Carriers? Useful Links: The Apple Event on iTunes. Tamas Geczy Article: 5 Reasons To Buy, Or Not To Buy The Apple Watch. Apple TV OS Accessibility Page. Apples Upgrade Program. (US Only).