Talking Technology with V I Labs
This podcast is focused on technology that supports people who are blind and visually impaired. Our panel of IT Trainers & guest panelists discuss all the latest in mainstream and inclusive technology innovations in a fun and informative manner. V I Labs is the technology function within Vision Ireland. Vision Ireland is the national sight loss agency in Ireland. V I Labs provide technology assessments and training for all our service users. We are a not for profit charity, which offers support and services to people of all ages who are experiencing difficulties with their eyesight. Visit www.vi.ie to discover more about our technology services and other range of services Vision Ireland provide
Episodes
On this packed episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with Rhonda Bassett-Spiers, the CEO of Jaws maker Vispero. We discuss what’s new in Jaws and Zoomtext, and we hear details of an entirely new product currently in development.
We discuss Vispero accounts and changes to how Jaws and Zoomtext licences work, and could Vispero partner with or purchase Be My Eyes? We discuss all that and more.
Dereck Carolan joins us to ...
On this episode of Talking Technology with V I Labs, David and Joe discuss the Christmas movies and TV available with audio description. Is Frozen a Christmas movie?
Santa joins us to discuss his master plan to move to the South Pole as a result of global warming, and shares the emotional moment when his Meta Glasses gave a beautiful description of Mrs Claus in the snow.
Was Glide the lowlight of the year? And what on ear...
On this episode of Talking Technology, we give you all the best bits from our Jaws and NVDA event which took place last week. What are the similarities and differences between these two popular screen readers? Peter and Brian put them to the test to find out.
David and Joe discuss the audio-described Toy Show, and it’s Android update time in tech news.
Send us a voice note with your thoughts now. The number you need is +353...
We have finally reached episode 100 of Talking Technology. Thank you so much for listening.
On this episode, we take a trip to London to explore some of the latest technology at Sight Village 2025. From new Braille devices to talking tactile ballot paper templates, there really is a lot to explore.
We discussed the addition of live audio description for this year‘s toy show and check out a new AI tool making images on Whats...
On this episode of Talking Technology, we explore accessibility issues from the recent presidential election in Ireland and discuss updates for the BlindShell smartphone.
With Ireland recently electing a new president, we share views of those using the ballot paper template. Is voting in Ireland truly accessible?
BlindShell finally supports the Meta glasses, but is the phone living up to its claims of being a smartphone?
On this episode of Talking Technology, it’s all about Braille.
We explore the new Braille access feature included with iOS 26, and we get a demo of its capabilities from our very own Mairead O'Mahony.
Brian discusses how Meta glasses can be used with Braille displays and explains why this is so important.
We discuss architecture in this week’s tech news and tell you about some exclusive content over on our YouTube ...
On this episode of Talking Technology, we catch up with David Nason from Sky to learn about lots of exciting new accessibility improvements across their Sky TV products.
With audio description for on-demand content and major improvements to the voice guidance screen reader, there’s a lot to discuss.
Back in episode 90 of Talking Technology, we explored the accessibility updates for RTÉ Player. In this episode, we meet the t...
On this episode of Talking Technology, we have news on the latest updates to Meta glasses. With improvements to both the hardware and software, Meta are continuing to up their game.
We have questions on video doorbells and accessible gaming, and a discussion on the latest iOS 26 update.
Daniel explains mesh Wi-Fi systems, and what’s going on at AIB?
All that and more on this episode of Talking Technology.
Join the...
Apple has announced lots of new products. In this episode of Talking Technology, we recap their iPhone 17 event, exploring what’s new.
Mairead, Joe and David share their thoughts on the new AirPods, Apple Watches and iPhones, and decide if they will be purchasing any new toys following the event.
Let us know your thoughts with a WhatsApp voice note. The number you need is +353 86 199 0011
0:00 Intro
3:23 General event...
For someone who is blind or visually impaired, how do you get the result of a pregnancy test? Often, a blind or visually impaired person isn’t the first to know about their own test result. This is because traditionally, pregnancy tests, as well as many other health-related checks, have been inaccessible.
On this episode, we speak with Leah Shanahan about AMY, a pregnancy test that she has designed for those who are blind or v...
On this extra episode of Talking Technology, we only have one topic on the agenda.
Glidance, makers of the new glide mobility aid, have announced that the product won’t be coming to Europe at launch, and all European customers are being refunded.
We speak to CEO Amos Miller to ask why they made the decision they did, what this means for the future of glide, and how it will impact those who purchase glide legitimately in th...
In this episode of Talking Technology, we explore some of the upcoming courses available from Vision Ireland.
We catch up with Dominique and Des to hear their perspective on courses, as well as hearing from Dereck about what we can expect in the future.
We receive a much-anticipated update on Raheem‘s smart washing machine drama, discuss the benefits of meta glasses in a Jacuzzi, as well as learning about a brand-new produc...
Assistive technology company Envision has announced new Ally Solos glasses in a bid to compete with Meta. The new glasses are initially priced at €399, and contain many of the features we’ve come to expect from smart glasses, such as the ability to read documents, describe surroundings, and listen to audio through the glasses connected to your phone.
In this extra podcast, David and Joe discuss the new glasses and catch up wi...
Meta Glasses have been a major topic of conversation for blind people for a few months at this point, but unfortunately, those in Ireland were left out.
Things are finally starting to change, however, so in this podcast we try out the Meta Glasses without a VPN in sight. Are wearables the next step forward for those who are blind or visually impaired?
As well as our in-depth look at Meta Glasses, we also explore other topic...
It’s fair to say that RTÉ Player has had ups and downs when it comes to accessibility over the years. With the European Accessibility Act now in full effect, though, the team at RTÉ seem to be rolling out major upgrades.
In this episode, we take a look at what’s new both on mobile and on the web, and discuss some of the audio-described content that’s available.
In less positive media news, we discuss the discontinuation of...
On this episode of Talking Technology, we attend the Zero Limits Track Day in Mondello Park.
We speak to those attending to get their views on the future possibility of self-driving cars and ask if this technology would be embraced by those with sight loss.
David tries driving for the first time, and it turns out there’s hope for him yet as a getaway driver. What could possibly go wrong?
Vision Sports CEO Aaron Mullanif...
The European Accessibility Act is now in full effect, but what does it mean exactly? Will it actually make a difference for those who are blind or visually impaired?
This week on the show, we catch up with Vision Ireland’s new head of technology, Sean Doran, and head of sales at sister company Vially, Andrew Power, to learn about the European Accessibility Act and how companies are responding to it.
In Tech News, we explore...
On this episode of Talking Technology, we’re playing a game of catch-up as we check in on all the voice notes you sent us in recent weeks. Comments include thoughts on our use of chapter markers, WhatsApp’s arrival on iPad, and the Sullivan+ app.
We also catch up with Sean Breslin, who is providing audio descriptive commentary for Croke Park, and we have a statement from a lady with the coolest job title ever, as Anne Zahan - H...
After a very successful demo day at the Wayfinding Centre in Dublin, lots of people share their feelings on Glide. Some loved the device and can’t wait to get one, while others ask what it means for the future of the guide dog. Does Glide risk making guide dog refusal more acceptable?
With Apple launching a new design across their platforms, we discuss how it will impact those with low vision. Are we ready for liquid glass?
On this episode of Talking Technology extra, we meet the team from Glide ahead of their demo day in Dublin. We take a trip to The Wayfinding Centre to meet Amos Miller and Luke Buckberrough (co founders of Glide’s parent company Glidance Inc.).
They explain what the product is, discuss recent delays, and tell us about their ambitious vision for the future.
Would you use Glide? Send us a WhatsApp voice note now on 086 199 ...
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