Rnib Tech Talk

Hello there Tech Talk fans, welcome to episode 388! On today's show, we've got Robin, Tim, and Emails Andy joining Steven with the show chock-a-block with content and talking points. We chat to Douglas Walker, to find out about an online resource called Hadley that can advise on a wide range of areas, technology being a major one. Jo Fullerton from the RNIB Technology for Life team has an app for the green-fingered among you. We also have some quick fire news stories - Sight Tech Global going virtual, non-invasive blood sugar measuring confirmed by Apple supplier Rockley, Microsoft investing in voice technology and bringing new features to Outlook on iOS and soon on Android... and loads more! Also, a quick dip into emails, namely an email aimed at Steven regarding accessible smart televisions - what is out there that he could recommend, and how troublesome is the set up process? TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk for all your emails! Chat soon :)

Out of the sweltering heatwave come sweltering Steven, roasting Robin, Tanned Tim and Emails Andy, ice lollies in hand, and fans blaring, to bring you another sun-kissed Tech Talk! We tackle the topic of Windows 365, what is that, you ask? Well, fresh off of the Windows 11 announcement, and the new Surface hardware, Microsoft announced a new service that allows business customers to access Cloud PCs from anywhere. It's like remote access, only... better? For now we only have details on the business product, as WFH becomes more and more frequent. Speaking of the office, with the easing of restrictions making it possible for us to once again go back into the workplace, how safe are our office environments and can technology help stop the spread of further disease? We hear a report on UV lighting detailing such worries. Steven's decided to ditch Facebook, because it was ruining his productivity. How many hours can you lose to Facebook Watch? Well, quite a few it seems. Andy warns not to even consider tryin

Hello to you, and to you... and especially you! Tech Talk is here once again with another deep dive into the world of accessible gadgets and gismos. This week, Steven, Robin, Tim and Emails Andy tackle more from the emails inbox, including emails meant for other departments! Aside from that, we dish out tips and tech must-haves when entering the workplace for the first time - what headphones work best with JAWS, that wont cut out the sound of the phone ringing? What is best for reading documents, that wont cut text off? Also, Robin (and Faith) give us an audio demo of the Amazon Echo Show 10 device - the screen can follow you round the room, always keeping you in frame, but does that make them any less accessible to blind people, and also... is it worth the steep price tag? Remember the good old days of using your FM, AM or Long Wave radio to tune into your favourite far flung stations? Did you know that you can use the latest apps on your smartphone or computer to achieve the same result? Dinos from RNIB'

Tech Talk is back... where would you be without us!? Steven, Robin and Emails Andy are all here, as is Tim, who has finally made it back from Clearwater, Florida (via Chicago) to rejoin Team Tech. On the show this week, the team tackle the email inbox, including subjects such as:  Clubhouse: is it nothing more than an elite club, or is there truly room for everyone?  Microsoft breaking Outlook, and how listener Gordon and Be My Eyes helped them fix it How setting up an Amazon Echo device in someone else's home can sometimes lead to unexpected embarrassment Phones with keypads, and keyboards for phones Problems with the Apple podcast player, and what alternatives are out there, and Super helpful tips for Supernova All that, plus a rather in-depth discussion about smart coffee makers, which leaves us all drooling (until we heard the price, and that it only does espresso!), slippers, woes about the weather, post-work Talkback options, and listeners lettings their spouses listen to Tech Talk because they ar

What's the time? Why, it's Tech Talk o'clock! Steven is joined by Robin, Emails Andy and 'special' guest Shaun Preece this week - where's Tim you may be asking, well, he's still on his holidays. The fearsome foursome sit down to discuss Windows 11 - what will be included, when it's coming, and what the accessibility features might be like. The hot phrase on everyone's techy lips this week is TPM - well Shaun's here to explain why it's being talked about so much with regards to upgrading from Windows 10. Also on the show this week - wearable technology! The world of wearable tech is very much available and accessible to the blind community via smart glasses and more, some of which even claims it can help improve vision. Mark Evans from RNIB’s Technology for Life team and shares his findings on the latest gadgets out there. The pandemic has cost many of us the ability to learn new skills and meet new people. However for one group of blind people, they used the latest tech to continue their desire to learn

A special Tech Talk for you all this week, as we have a look into accessible gaming! Steven is joined by five visually impaired gamers (Lynette, Kim, Abbie, Sophie and Matt) discussing the challenges and joys that gaming while blind gives. All part of RNIB’s campaign called Gaming for RNIB. Also joining us, disabled gamers Steve Saylor and Courtney Craven share their views on the latest virtual E3 conference. And also this week, RNIB’s Joanne Wilson from the Technology for Life team answers customer’s queries on the most accessible TVs on the market. Share your thoughts on accessible gaming with the team! TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk for all your emails, as ever

Tech Talk is back in your ears once again, and boy... we're sounding good! It's a full house this week - Steven's in the big chair, and is joined by Robin, Tim and Emails Andy, and there's a lot packed into today's hour! Firstly, we're talking TV. Unfortunately, television set top boxes have for many years been a challenge for blind and partially sighted people, as they haven’t had accessibility features to speak aloud or make clearly what is on screen. We've been chatting to Fraser Stirling from Sky Q about how that is changing, with new features such as Voice Guidance. We also have a listener review on Sky Q from 'Friend of the Show' Kelly. Speaking of regular listeners, Julian II follows up from our Technology for Life feature from a few weeks back with a personal review of the update to Google Lookout. It's such a promising app, but is it winning over the self proclaimed 'negative' Julian? Also this week, Chris Turner joins us from RNIB's Technology for Life team to introduce us to the voice recor

Well well well; look who the cat dragged in...! It's time for the glorious return of Tech Talk - Have you missed us?  Steven's back, and is joined by Robin and Tim for a show dedicated to WWDC 2021- Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is held annually, and this year, held online. It was a two hour marathon of new software developments, IOS improvements and generally what new things the Apple whiz kids have been working on since we last saw them. So what do the guys make of it? Was there any mention of accessibility? What new advancement are the team looking forward to the most? Thank you for bearing with us whilst we were absent over the past few weeks, and thank you for the emails and messages regarding Steven. Our inbox is starting to collate nicely, so if you'd like to share your thoughts about this years' WWDC, or anything else on your mind, the address is TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk, and you'll have your musings read out on a future episode! Until then, stay safe!

Good day, everyone! Team Tech Talk returns for yet another show, full of accessible tech gossip and talking points. Settle down with a brew and a biscuit, and let us entertain you for the next hour! On today's show, Steven is joined by Robin, Tim, Emails Andy and special guest Sue Dunn, who is a service user at the KVIN. Sue joins us to talk to us all about her experiences using SuperNova, the magnifier and screen reader for Windows. Can it be a serviceable alternative to other options? How customisable is it? Also on this week, Hannah joins us from the RNIB Technology For Life team to tell us all about What Three Words- the app that divides the world into three metre squares, gives each square a unique combination of three words, that makes it easier to find and share exact locations. We dip back into emails as well - and thank you so much for filling our inbox back up over the last week! We talk a little more about the disappointment regarding the RNIB Digital Radio, Steven asking Microsoft for favour

Yes, it's us again, twice in one day - we spoil you! On this episode, we have Steven, Robin, Andy, Callum and Shaun - and it is our goal to clear the TT email inbox - do we succeed? You'll have to listen to find out! We start off the show a little confused, which admittedly, isn't that hard for some of us! But we soon dive back into your questions and queries, including: Lady A devices with minds of their own, a little more Aftershokz and cheek vibrations, reading manuals, fanfares, the merits of Voiceover, more NVDA chat, being wanted, this time with an actual NVDA user, bonny ladies or bunny ladies, working Netflix with Audio Description on your iPhone, convoluted Apple shortcuts, and loads more! Want to air your opinion on Aftershokz, accessible TV's, screen readers or smart speakers? Email us at TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk We'll be back next Tuesday at 1PM on both radio and podcast - see you then!

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Tech Talk! What a treat we have for you this week - two Tech Talks! Now, I could explain that one aired on Bank Holiday Monday, and the other in the usual TT timeslot of Tuesday 1PM on RNIB Connect Radio, but you don't need to worry about that, as this is podcast world! Both shows are coming to you at the usual time. How generous are we? Very! Steven is joined by Robin, Andy, and a returning Callum this week to hopefully empty the email inbox - firstly, we cover a rather impassioned email about the RNIB Digital Radio we reviewed a few weeks back - some people believe the product is falling far short of expectations, leaving them a little underwhelmed - as we like to be unbiased about these things, we talk about the apparent shortfalls. Does this radio discriminate? Also, we hear about a success story of someone reporting an accessibility bug to the developer - it always brings a smile to hear these types of stories, especially when the company then goes out of its way t

It's Tuesday, it's 1pm, that means only one thing...Tech Talk! Steven, Robin and Tim are all here to talk about the smorgasbord of new colourful products from Apple... yep, sorry haters, of course we're talking about the Spring Loaded Event, including the new iMac, and AirTags, and improvements to Apple TV. What do the team make of the news; underwhelmed, overwhelmed? There is more to talk about, as ever - Ben Rendle is here from RNIB's Technology For Life team to tell us how he uses the Amazon Echo in his home, we're also joined by Paul Bepey to hear about Braille Displays, including the ElBraille. As Steven mentioned in the show, next week we have not one, but TWO Tech Talks... you lucky people! You can tune in to RNIB Connect Radio on Bank Holiday Monday at 5PM to hear show one of our email specials, and then the second will be in our usual timeslot on a Tuesday. If you only listen via podcasts, no need to panic - both shows will drop one after the other on Tuesday at 1pm. You still have time to ge

Here we are, once again, talking accessible technology on the aptly named Tech Talk! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and emails Andy for this week, as well as a whole host of special guests! Firstly, Steven has been chatting to the team at blindandroidusers.com, for an in-depth talk about Android and accessibility, availability, popularity, as well as the updates to TalkBack, Android Braille options, and taking the first steps away from a certain smartphone rival! Also on the show, Steven gives a full and detailed, hands on review of the  new RNIB digital radio, including the features and functions it has. Not only that, we hear a clip from an interview from RNIB Connect Radio's Ellie Marsh on how Be My Eyes can help you with your Home Covid tests, we very briefly mention the Apple event which is happening today (April 20th), (but we'll save that for another time), and we tackle your emails and voicemails, including a couple more tips on productivity. To email us your thoughts on the topics we covered tod

Hi there! Welcome back to Tech Talk. There is loads and loads and loads in today's show, how on earth we cram everything in to one hour is beyond comprehension! Firstly, we can say that Steven, Robin and Andy are re-joined by Tim once again, after a brief absence - welcome back Mr Schwartz! On today's show, we talk about some new products coming soon from the RNIB that has Steven all giddy! The new product guide was revealed at the start of April, and we talk through some of the items available - full demos from Steven coming soon, if he can ever stop saying the word "excited"! Also this week, Steven chats with Dennis Stansbury, Amazon’s UK Country Manager for Alexa Experience and Devices, about the Echo Show 10 - the newest in the 'Lady A' range of smart speakers, which includes a 10.1" HD screen that moves automatically and always keeps you in the frame - a big plus for video calls, and following recipes in the kitchen! Our Technology for Life team feature comes via Fraser Fleming of Triple Tap Tech in S

Good day, lovely people! On today's TT, Steven, Robin and Andy are once again joined by Shaun to talk all manner of wonderful things! Some big news to come from Sky TV last week - Sky Q now gives more control to visually impaired customers, thanks to the service’s latest update, including a new Voice Guidance feature, which has got everyone all giddy! Also, we hear all about Google Lookout, as Davinder Kullar from RNIB's Technology For Life team explains all. Robin's having a few cross words with Lady A this week too - did you know you can do crosswords (or play crosswords, according to Steven), on your Echo device? In emails this week, defending NaviLens, QR codes, and a question about cooking hobs not being accessible. Finally... Get well soon, Tim! Chat to you all next Tuesday!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, like you're spinning far too many plates, and that things are getting on top of you? How many unread emails do you have? How many times a day does your work phone ring? Well, we here at Tech Talk feel your pain - so we've gathered the crew to talk about some 'Top Tech Talk Tech Tips' to help battle workflow, productivity and time management! Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson and Emails Andy return with self proclaimed Tech Talk black sheep Shaun Preece, to talk about overflowing email inboxes, FOMO and learning to switch off from 'work mode', prioritizing tasks, and being 'overfaced'! There are some really helpful tips on getting the most out of Outlook, Notepad, phone apps, and more. Also this week, we hear from Mohammed Atif from the RNIB Technology for Life team, this week introducing us to Sharky, the JAWS 2021 voice assistant. In emails we talk about Clubhouse accessibility, and using NVDA as a first-time PC user, we hear a clip from Toby Davey's recent interview with Da

Good day Tech Talk fans! We need a name for you... Talkies? Tekkers? If you have a better name, email in ;) Anyway, welcome to this week's show, and it's a bit of a special one this week, with a particular theme - Joining Steven and Robin this week are Madleen Bluhm and Ben Rendle from the RNIB's Technology For Life team. It's been one whole year of COVID-related restrictions, in the UK at least. As of today, around 40% of the UK has been vaccinated - it seems like only yesterday we were worried about loo paper shortages, and getting money back from booked summer holidays. Steven and his regular contributors have been recording Tech Talk now from our home offices, our spare rooms, and wherever there is space, since episode 317. Today, on episode 372, we look back at an unprecedented twelve months. What can we make of the last year, from a technology perspective? Have we seen any positives since last March? What about Madleen and Ben - have some of the questions they've been asked in the TFL team been chall

Good day to you all! Welcome to another Tech Talk, brought to you by RNIB Connect Radio. This week marks the one year anniversary of self-isolating, working from home, and social distancing from our friends, extended family and co-workers - time flies, eh? Let Tech Talk cheer you up as spring is just around the corner! This week's episode, featuring Steven, Robin, Tim and Emails Andy, covers the news and talking points from the week - did you know there's an audio version of the IKEA catalogue now online? Well, it's less of a full catalogue, more of a "tour for the ears", as IKEA themselves describe it. Think of it like an audiobook, with all the items in the story having price tags; could this kind of innovation catch on? We play an audio sample, and share our thoughts. There's a new audio game on the iOS and Android market called Blind Drive, and as we're all fans of playing games and not doing actual work, we all promise to try it out, and see if the praise is justified! What else? Well, Steven's re

Time for a little taste of Tech Talk! On today's show, Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy are joined by a new voice - please welcome Callum Stoneman! Steven throws Callum right into the deep end early on, with questions like "who are you?" and "what have you done with your life?", but we soon move on to less threatening topics such as first PC's, braille, preferred smartphone makers and more. Also on today's show, we talk a little more at length about Clubhouse, and the recent update which aims to improve accessibility. Regarding the chat app as a whole, Tim and Steven are a little bit addicted, Robin's nonplussed, and Andy has total FOMO, being the Android fan he is. So has the update done enough? Also, what about security, or moderation? In one of our emails this week, a listener asks Steven to compare the Apple M1 Chip with an Intel-based Apple machine, specifically if battery life any more important than overall performance, we talk a little more about iOS vs Android, but this time a listener asking: "what ab

A little something extra for all you podcast subscribers! On this episode of Geek Out, Steven speaks to Oliver Lemon from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, and Robin Spinks from RNIB to discuss Alana AI, a spin-out company from the university and how their new conversational AI could help RNIB deliver improved services in the future. Find out more here: https://alanaai.com/