Talking Tech - Vision Australia Radio

In this weeks Talking Tech it is all about Apple WWDC 2024 keynote, and what is new in the 6 OS’s, and of course Apple’s own Apple Intelligence.

For more info on the beta info for Vision Pro 2,  iOS 18, iPad os 18, watch os 11, TV os 18, and Mac OS 15, check out the US Apple website at:

https://www.apple.com 

Remember that these are developer betas only, public betas will be next month, and a lot of the features talked ...

Product Minute: Get up to 15% off selected assistive tech devices from the Vision Store. Sale ends June 30, or while stocks last. Come in to any Vision Store or shop online at

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/onsale

Blind Shell Classic 2 Ok for When Telstra Drops 3G network on August 31 2024

All is safe, your Blind Shell Classic 2 will continue to work.

Be-My-Eyes Now Available for Windows

This excellent app fam...

Product Minute: EOne Bradley Watch 

More than a watch, a classic Time piece.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/campaigns/eone-bradley-mesh-silver-watch-40mm.html

The Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre is offering two PhD Scholarships. Candidates who identify as having a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

You can learn about the MATS Centre at:

https://www.monash.edu/mats/about

Emergi...

In this podcast, Toby Walsh is joined by Vision Australia assistive technology guru and 'Talking Tech' presenter David Woodbridge to chat all things Artificial Intelligence.

Toby Walsh is Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales, research group leader at Data61, adjunct professor at QUT, external Professor of the Dep...

Quick list of links for this weeks show.

OPen AI 4o Online Presentation

https://www.engadget.com/openai-claims-that-its-free-gpt-4o-model-can-talk-laugh-sing-and-see-like-a-human-184249780.html?src=rss&guccounter=1

The Chat GPT Mac Desktop app (for Chat GPT Plus Subscribers)

https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-chatgpt-desktop-app-is-more-helpful-than-i-expected-heres-why-and-how-to-try-it/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

Goog...

Product Minute: Mountbatten Tutor.

Happy to say the Mountbatten Tutor is available from both Vision Australia and Quantum RLV.

Great for pre-Braille training in to primary.

Could be used by adults as well, but not primary focus.

Braille, emboss, type in via QWERTY keyboard, see what is happening on the inbuilt screen, and link it up to a smart phone or tablet.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/campaigns/mountbatten-braill...

In this weeks Talking Tech, Stephen gives a warning about the potential of the Sonos app update May 7 in the US not being accessible with VoiceOver.

Stephen catch’s up with Sam Taylor (ATC) from the Va Brisbane office on a general discussion about assistive and main stream tech.

Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627...

This week Stephen revisits a program from late last year in conversation with David on the technology advances in 2024.

Notes from 26th December 2023:

What is Computer Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In simple terms, it is making computers think like Humans.

Eg recognising speech, making decision, and recognising patterns etc.

General examples of Computer AI

Advanced Web Search Engines.

Recommendation systems.

Virt...

Product Minute: Envoy Connect Audio Player for the Vision Australia Library

Straightforward and easy to use with the Windows Kiosk application to access books and download to the plugged in player. Then unplug, and enjoy your audio book.

Remember, the Vision Australia Library is open to anyone with a print disability, and the Vision Store is available to anyone interested in vision related products such as  the Envoy Connect.

Product Minute:: Mini Guide Cane Holder  

As the name suggests, it is a holder that you slide your Mini Guide in to which is attached to your cane.

I only purchased mine this week and it is one of those items which I should have purchased when it first came out, it is so handy smile.

Several links below

Two links firstly to the Va Store shop page for the Mini guide Holder, and then the link to the actual Mini guide ...

Talking Tech for April 9 2024

Product Minute: Shokz Open Move Bone Conduction Head Phones

Two reasons why I always go back to these head phones.

Firstly of course, they are bone conduction head phones leaving my ears free to listen to what is around me.

Secondly, they use a standard USBC port which means for my ever growing collection of USBC devices plus their cables, they still fit wright in.

https://shop.visionaustral...

Product Minute: 10 inch Digital Clock with 30 Alarm Reminders

Excellent bed side or wall mounted large print clock.

One thing that my wife holds on to, is our clock on the wall at home so she can just glance at the time when she needs to.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/10-inch-digital-clock-with-30-alarm-reminders.html

Another Update from CSUN Conference 2024, Sony

A lot more than just the PS5.

Google IO for ...

Product Minute: Zoomax Snow 12 Inch video magnifier with Speech (more than half price)

Very handy portable tablet sized video magnifier and OCR print reading device.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/zoomax-snow-12-with-speech-magnifier.html

A Chat About the new BT Speak and bt Speak Pro

Note taker or note taker and full desktop.

My Demo:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2d3u25/BTSpeak_Pro_demo6d30p.mp3 

B...

Talking Tech show notes for March 19 2024

Product minute: Manual Braille Labeller.

Nice to have around to simply label stuff in Braille.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/reizen-rl-350-braille-labeller.html

My Concerns of Using Hable One with Android

Some of the Hable One commands simply do not  work on my Samsung Z Flip 3.

Folks on the web have said it does work, and it doesn’t work on their Android devices, so I ...

Talking Tech for March 12 2024

Product Minute from the Vision Store

Code Jumper - a great way to teach students coding through physical play.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/code-jumper.html

A Reminder for CSUN 2024 Number 39 March 18 to 24 2024

I’m really looking forward to this years 39TH conference, especially in the realm of AI.

https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/index.php/?gad_source=1&gclid...

My First Colouring Book 

Yes I no not Tech related grin.

I’m really looking forward to trying this out with my Grandson.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/my-first-colouring-book-animals.html

Loop Ear Buds

Various ear buds for different  Environments simply using acoustic filters.

https://www.amazon.com.au/s?me=A1CVBR8PLBYTJC&marketplaceID=A39IBJ37TRP1C6

Amazon Echo Pop, new Echo

 No Thanks, simply n...

Hable one

Yes it is in the web shop now.

Here are some notes I wrote about the Hable one, then you’ll find the link to the shop page.

Product description:  

Hable One is an external braille keyboard designed for people who are blind or have low vision to use and navigate their smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)with ease.

No installation is needed – just pair it to your smart device via Bluetooth and start Brailling (A...

News From the Vision Store:

Vision Store Parramatta Closed Feb 21 to April 22 Due to Building Renovations.

As of February 29, Vision Store no longer selling Apple products.

Product Spot Light: Mini Guide.

One of my most longest used sonar type devices for obstacle detection.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/miniguide-ultrasonic-echo-location-detector.html

Products that I will be investigating:

Ultra Cane.

...

60 seconds Product spot:

All Terrain Cane.

https://shop.visionaustralia.org/all-terrain-cane.html

With all the hype around AI/AR/VR etc, I thought it would be good to take a pause and look at the other tech trends that are important to us now and moving forward:

                5G Expansion and Adoption: 5G networks will become more widespread, offering faster and more reliable connectivity. This will accelerate the...