RNIB Tech Talk

Welcome back one and all, it's Tech Talk 368! It's a bit crowded in Tech Talk Towers today, no room to swing the proverbial cat - not only do we have our regulars Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz and Emails Andy, but we're joined by Dean Ormond, radio presenter extraordinaire, who comes pre-loaded with his own tech question... what's your preferred choice in 2021, phone or computer? When it comes to everyday tasks, like banking, shopping or social media, do you reach for the PC, or the smartphone? Is it as simple as saying computer for work, mobile for personal? Also on today's show, the guys talk about their first few days trying the Clubhouse app, the new 'invitation-only' social networking app, which is predominately all about audio. How does it rank in terms of accessibility? Do Steven and Tim see it having legs to rival WhatsApp? Our very own Robin has been chatting to people - we hear his interview with Pramit from the Louie Voice Control app, which allows users to do everything within supported apps with just voice commands, which includes apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Uber, Phone calling and more. Also on today's episode, a brief dive into emails, mainly to find out what caused Steven to spend more of his money again, we also chat red sauce vs brown sauce, made-up towns in Scotland, the Apple Magic Keyboard, exploding technology, our favourite biscuits, a possible future Apple event, and the long-awaited microwave review that Steven's been promising for weeks! We'd love to get your feedback on computer vs phone - what do you find yourself going to first when it comes to everyday tasks? Or maybe you'd like to give your early thoughts on Clubhouse? Hey, maybe you'd even like to make a suggestion about what Steven 'Egon Ronay' Scott should try cooking in his microwave... just no more beans, please! Drop your email to [email protected] and we'll cover them on an upcoming show. Joining us on next week's show to talk screen readers.... Shaun Preece! Yeah, remember him? No? Okay, not to worry… chat to you next week!

Yes, it is us, the Tech Talk crew... We're back - they cant keep us away! Joining Steven today - Robin, Tim and Emails Andy... and speaking of emails, let's talk about our inbox - over the past few months we have been lamenting about how far behind we are; well, we've spent some time offline getting our ducks in a row - a spring clean, if you will. So some of your questions have been deliberately redirected to the RNIB's Technology for Life Team to tackle, and we'll be getting to those over the coming weeks, but there are still some that we could comment on, on the show - and that is what today is all about! We cover some feedback on our two Android specific shows from a few weeks ago - how does Robin react to being accused of bias? What is it that's so gripping about the Apple eco-system? Whilst on the subject of Apple vs Android, we also talk at length about the VoiceOver rotor on iPhone, with one listener calling it a bugbear, so we have some solutions. We also talk more on NaviLens, following up on the Technology for Life feature we included a few episodes ago, with a listener telling us about how they use them. Also on the show: Betamax vs VHS, spilling tea and beans, Sky Gnome, iOS rotor issues, new ears, Television Sound Receivers, cheesy pasta, and learning Welsh with Robin and Andy. For any emails, or even voice messages, send them to [email protected] Chat to you next week!

Hello everyone, it's Tech Talk o'clock! This week's show is split into two halves; firstly, Steven, Robin, and Tim are joined by David Ward, host of the Echo Tips podcast to talk all things smart speakers! The show is part of the New Vision Programme run by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Virginia in the US. What's the one thing that would make Robin leave the Echo family, and head over to Google? What annoys Steven the most about owning a smart speaker? What productivity skills available on the Echo range are Tim's most commonly used? In the second half, we're joined by Andy to dip our techy toes in the pool of emails from you, dear listener! Among the topics covered today - more love for the Victor Reader Stream and the Orbit Writer, a final glance over a few responses on the Braille illiteracy topic, overly long audiobooks, and not much love for the female American voices on talking microwaves! You too can have your email read out on air... maybe even get a regal email title to go with it! Email [email protected] with your thoughts, feelings or burning questions, and we'll get to them in the coming weeks. Until next week, stay safe!

Good day to you all!We continue our Android theme this week inviting Steve Nutt from Computer Room Services to join Steven, Robin and Tim to talk about the benefits Android can bring to blind people, and the hot specialist tech that's flying out the door.Also, Yvonne Brooks from RNIB's Technology for Life team joins the guys to talk about the new LIDAR scanner in the iPhone 12 Pro range, and gives her views on the benefits of the new tech.Also, keep your ears peeled for a really bad acapella joke from Mr Scott!For all your tech questions, queries and confusions, email [email protected], and we'll feature it on an upcoming show.Coming up next week, David Ward from the Echo Tips podcast talking all about getting the most out of Lady A!

Here at Tech Talk Towers we are, on occasion, told we talk about Apple a little too much. In our defence, we do so because we own a lot of their products, and they are far and away leading the pack when it comes to accessibility in smartphone tech. But that doesn't mean we should brush Android under the carpet. This week, Steven, Robin and Andy welcome Dinos from RNIB's Technology for Life team cover Android with much more clarity than usual. Hot off the release of a new Samsung flagship smartphone, we start by talking about the Galaxy S21; just how impressive is it? If the selling points are the screen quality, and the amazing camera ability, is it really something blind and partially sighted smartphone users would buy? Maybe the higher-end priced Android phones aren't for you - what's out there in the low-cost range? Are these phones still worth looking into? Accessibility is also a hot topic - as said above, we know Apple leads the way in terms of making their phones accessible - how far behind are Android? Could 2021 be the year where they catch up, or even overtake? Also, we talk more about Launchers - we've covered this in the past with Andy talking about how he uses Nova Launcher Pro on his Huawei, and how this comes with finger gestures, customisable home screens and app drawers, Dinos tells us all about Launchers with low vision users in mind, such as Big Launcher. Also on this week, emails - Svetlana from Siberia emails in about Braille, we hear about Neatebox being increasingly available over one part of Scotland, and more on Bumpon alternatives! We'd love to know your thoughts on Android smartphones - if you own one, or are thinking of buying one - what's swaying you one way or the other? If you're thinking of leaving the Apple ecosystem - why? What's been the final straw? Email us at [email protected], and it'll feature on an upcoming show. Here's a little leaser - more Android talk coming next week too! See you then :)

Time for Tech Talk! On this week's show, Steven, Robin and Andy are joined by birthday boy David Woodbridge to talk all about Apple! With Steven and David having a selection of new Apple products, the guys talk about how they're finding the MacBook Air, the AirPod Max headphones, and Series 6 Apple Watch - has the MacBook and the M1 chip met expectations? Are the headphones comfortable to wear continuously? How does Braille Display support work on the Watch? Also, we ask the daunting question... have any of the team tried Apple Fitness+? Also on this week, RNIB's Technology For Life team return! Joanne Wilson joins us to tell us all about some popular iOS14 features we may or may not know about. In amongst all that, we talk about: vino, thick hair, commissions on jokes, Be My Eyes and odd phone calls, new speakers, candles, crisps on the couch, condensation, and, poo. Yes, we do apologise if you're eating whilst listening this week. If you have a question needing an answer, and you'd like the team to tackle it, email [email protected], and it'll feature on an upcoming show, we promise! If you'd like to follow David on Twitter, you can here! Chat to you all next week!

Brand new year, same old Tech Talk! Welcome back everyone, we hope your Christmas and New Year was as good as current situations allow, and that 2021 has started as close to promising as possible. The team of Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy return for our first official TT of the new year (even though we have been on already... shhh). On today's episode, the team talk about the 'World' update to Seeing AI, which utilises the LIDAR tech found in the latest iPhones. Sadly this means the only person to be able to test it so far is the one in the group who likes shiny new Apple things - Steven! We get his thoughts on locating mugs, dogs, and everything in between. Also, Robin's telling us all about an update to Google Nest series, and the introduction of sleep tracking. Some of us already use phone apps to monitor how much of a good nights kip we got; we'd love to hear if you think this is a good idea or not. We also tackle emails - Is it worth looking into an Apple TV, if the Amazon Fire Stick seems to offer it already? There's also a rather spicy email about the guys not giving NVDA a fair enough try. Will any of the team fancy using NVDA for six weeks? The TFL team also join us twice this episode, Ben talks us through the roll out of some online advice sessions for parents with blind children - If you need some technical support, such as help with JAWS, or braille displays, RNIB is at hand. Ben also talks us a step by step guide on how to get braille books onto your Orbit Reader 20 - very handy indeed! All that, plus spilling tea, WhatsApp privacy, thrashing about in bed, Kenny G, freedom of speech, doorbells, Audible Sync, and reverse engineering Steven's brain. PLUG! If you want to attend the Accessibility Insights with the European Disability Forum, taking place on Tuesday 19 January 2021, at 1pm GMT, and hosted by Robin and featuring Alejandro Moledo, you can register here, or find more information here! SECOND PLUG! Are you an avid video gamer? Guide Dogs want to launch a new gaming fundraising campaign in 2021 and we need a small team of enthusiastic game lovers who can help provide us with the insight we need. You’ll have the chance to feed into ideas, share your experience and help us turn Guide Dogs into a gaming savvy charity! To find out more, email [email protected]. Catch you all next week!

Happy New Year Tech Talk fans!Following on from the last episode, where we reviewed 2020, we now look ahead at what is ahead of us in 2021, and once again, we do it for two whole hours!Team STAR reunite, yes, Steven , Tim, Andy and Robin lay out their thoughts about what lies ahead - flip phones, phablets, ultrawide band, a little bit more WFH, better wearables, satisfying clicks, 5G and so much more!

What a year, eh? I'm sure many of you will be glad to have 2020 behind us; there certainly has been a lot to talk about, especially in tech!So much so in fact, we're with you for the next TWO HOURS! Yes, on this back-to-back Boxing Day Tech Talk extravaganza, Steven, Robin and Tim are joined by David Woodbridge from Vision Australia to reflect on the year in technology - Airpods, Narrator, Facebook Portal... and squeezy penguins.

It's time for a very special episode of Tech Talk! Yes, Steven has given Tim, Andy and Robin the day off to finish their Christmas shopping, and instead welcomes some of RNIB's Technology For Life team in instead! Joining Steven this week are Jo Fullerton, Madleen Mann, Mohammed Atif, and Ben Rendle; together, they discuss the most pertinent questions the team receive, some of the common answers and solutions, as well as the team's own top tech highlights of the year. Find out more about the Technology For Life team here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/practical-help/technology-hub/technology-support

Good day to you all, welcome back to Tech Talk! We've got a Steven, a Robin, a Tim and an Andy on today's show, the usual suspects.On today's show, we welcome Amazon Show and Tell to a UK audience, an accessibility feature that identifies common pantry items and other things using your Echo Show's camera. It's new to these shores, and we waste no time in discussing its usefulness and uniqueness - Steven spoke to Dennis Stansbury from Amazon UK to talk about how it all works.Speaking of Lady A, we hear from Yvonne Brooks from the RNIB's Technology for Life team, who joins us to explain the range of Alexa products with a screen - a must listen if you're thinking of buying an Echo Show for Christmas!Speaking of treating yourself to a gift over Christmas, there's also been some rather expensive over-ear headphones released recently - AirPod Max headphones are the latest product released under the Apple brand, and it's causing quite a stir, well... the price tag is, at least.Which of the group has been the first to order a pair? Yes, you've probably guessed right there.Also, we get back into the emails! How do you set a personalised alarm on Lady A? Or go about researching online whilst visually impaired? We also get some feedback on accessible voting, and the Fire TV Cube. [email protected] is the place to fire us your emails - we'll be getting back to them early into 2021!ttfn x

Hello, all! We're back, and straight back into the Tech Talk email inbox!Joining RNIB Connect Radio's Steven Scott this week - Robin Christopherson from the wonderful AbilityNet, Tim Schwartz from the lovely lifeafterblindness.com, and of course emails Andy. Quite a few themes in the emails this week including lots on Lady A, such as: calling costs and VOIP calls, tripod mounts and a link with guide dogs. There's also plenty on Audible Sync problems.Some of the other topics we cover include: iOS14 issues, Eggnog, hellos from Croatia, listening to us whilst doing the ironing, Gadflies, An Englishman struggling with obscure Scottish phrases, Utunes (or is it oooo-tunes?), iPad being set up straight out of the box, Wigtown Book Festival, and a right techie question that Steven could get his teeth into - is the Rodecaster Pro accessible?Davinder also joins us from the RNIB Technology for Life team, talking to us about memory... I'd tell you more, but I've forgotten... ha!We've done a right good job getting through these emails over the past month or so, so now is a super time to get your questions answered in the new year! what does 2021 hold for you, tech wise? any purchases planned? what can we help you on? [email protected] is the place to send us stuff.Chat to you all next week!

Iiiiiit's Tech Talk time! Okay, so you've done your festive gift shopping thanks to last week's gift guide episode of Tech Talk, so you should be feeling all festive and merry; so settle in, because Steven, Robin and Tim are here to answer your emails! Andy opens up the many pages saved up from you lovely listeners, and over this week and next we'll be reading them out, and discussing all the things you've messaged to us. This week, we cover: TW Blue, Lord of the Dance, TuneIn and the licensing rules which Steven expertly explains, reading PDF documents on Edge, dual bluetooth earphones, port and cigars, the NFL and football, Huawei, WhatsApp and Twitter, boogying down to the Bee Gees, auto text not working, broken earpods, first PCs, and many many more. So grab yourself a mulled wine, maybe a couple of mince pies, settle down on the sofa, and enjoy this cracker of a show! Oh yes, before we forget - 2021 is just around the corner, so if you would like to be one of the first emails to be read out in the new year, then get them in now! [email protected] - questions, queries, suggestions... all welcome. See you next week!

Ho Ho Ho! Greetings Tech Talk fans, welcome to a special, festive episode - yes, we know it's still only November, and yes, many of us around the world are still in some kind of lockdown, but we're not letting it knock our seasonal spirit. In fact, we're combining our festive feelings with our love of shopping, and tech! Yes, in this episode, Steven, Tim, Robin and Andy have gathered a collection of festive treats that we think you - yes you, dear listener - should be adding to your present list. We cover a wide scope of toys, gifts, gadgets and gizmos - we talk about accessible gaming (both handheld and consoles), smart speakers, doorbells, watches, smart frames, plugs, mugs, backpacks and more! What is top of your Christmas list? Do any of these suggestions interest you, or do you have any suggestions of your own? Email us at [email protected]

Welcome back Tech Talk fans, we hope this week's show finds you well. Steven, Robin, Andy and Tim return for another hour of tech-delight courtesy of RNIB Connect Radio.. Unsurprisingly, we begin this week with One More Thing, Apple's third event in as many months, which was broadcasting their new Mac range - the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, now with the new M1 chips designed and built by themselves. So what does this mean, in the larger picture? Are these new products worth an investment of our hard-earned money? Does dropping Intel signal the death knell for them? Which of these products do our Apple fanboys have in their online shopping cart already? Also this week, RNIB's Paul Porter returns to the show to talk us through the Dolphin Easy Reader app now being available on the Fire Tablet range, and we're also joined by Chris Turner from the Technology For Life Team, who is telling us all about custom iOS gestures. All that, plus maybe, just maybe, a quick dive into your emails. If Steven allows it. [email protected] for your questions, queries and comments!

Hello friends! Team Tech Talk is here with you for another hour of accessible technology goodness! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and Andy for a jam-packed show. First, we hear about a new talking microwave that has been launched by the RNIB that aims to simplify the cooking experience for blind and partially sighted people. Steven chats to Claire Maxwell from the RNIB Products Team about the new kitchen appliance, and also to Kim Jaye, a blind cook who has been testing it out. We also take a deep dive into the TechTalk email inbox, starting things off by covering some of your replies with regards to the Braille email we had a few weeks back. We received a lot on this topic from you, dear listener, so many thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions, and apologies if we didn't manage to get to your email this week. Also this week, Robin has been chatting with Microsoft and City University of London about Seeing AI, we hear once again from the Technology for Life team - this week, Mark explains about an app he's loving - the Nike Training Centre. All that, plus Burger King, SmartPhone launchers, nerds, JAWS questions, and plenty of Steven's impression of a ship's horn. [email protected] for all your questions and comments, as ever. Chat soon!

Hello, all, and welcome to a special episode of Tech Talk this week; Robin, Andy and Tim get the week off, and Steven instead sits down to talk accessible gaming with two guests! Joining Steven is Ian Hamilton, and Sightless Kombat. On the eve of the next era of console releases, with the Xbox Series X, and the PlayStation 5 due to be released this month, the world is about to take its latest step into modern console gaming - but what does that mean for those who are blind and partially sighted? What if you buy an expensive next-gen console, only to find none of the games are accessible to you?Of course, that's not the only method - PC gaming, Virtual Reality headsets, even gaming on smart speakers - what paths are the industry taking to make gaming a world for everyone?Also on this show, we hear from Steven Davidson from RNIB's Technology for Life team, who joins us to introduce a new book to help us understand iOS14.What are your thoughts on accessible gaming in 2020? With advances in console and game accessibility, would you consider picking up the next console? Or, if you have a child or relative with a visual impairment, would you now feel secure in introducing them to games like Minecraft? Email us with your thoughts - [email protected] to you all next week!

Good day to you all, and welcome to Tech Talk! On today's podcast you'll be hearing from our regulars: Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz, and Andy with the Emails. Speaking of emails, we begin this week's show with one that came in recently; regular listeners to the show will recall that Robin is now in possession of a Optelec Voyager refreshable Braille terminal, and has started using it as part of his daily life. Steven's also had lessons to relearn Braille over the last twelve months... but are they being too flippant towards learning braille? One listener has got in contact to suggest that their attitude towards Braille has irritated them, and that anyone unable to read Braille who is blind or visually impaired is, in their words, illiterate. It brought about a serious and thought-provoking discussion among the team which covered education, availability and advancements in technology, and the importance of Braille in our lives. There's a lot to unpack in this, and we fully expect you, dear listener, to have an opinion on it too - let us know where you stand on all of the talking points covered today, by emailing [email protected] Also on the show, RNIB's Technology for Life team talk about online security, Steven's had the Echo Dot and Nest Audio devices delivered recently, so we compare them to other devices like the Apple HomePod, and the Sonos One, plus: lanyards, being fuelled by coffee, bad rapper names, extreme sports, Pay As You Go AIRA, and toe-breaking reviews. Chat to you all next week!

We've made it to 350! Can you believe it?! 350 Tech Talk shows, amazing stuff - well done to all of you who have survived them all! Today's episode is a right Apple fest; Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy gather together to talk about the 'Hi, Speed' Apple event from last week. We're going to be getting four new iPhones - iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and a iPhone 12 Pro Max - which one is at the top of the guys shopping lists? We take a deep dive into all the features - improved displays, improved cameras, better speed, LIDAR, MagSafe, LTE and 5G, Ceramic Shield and being 4x less resistant to drop damage... are these the kind of features that could persuade you to upgrade? Also coming soon are a new range of HomePod Minis - these ones are sphere shaped, that apparently can interact with each other; can they rival Echo devices, and take over the home? Also on this week's show, we welcome back the RNIB's Technology For Life team; this week, find out all about the popular app Be My Eyes. We'd love to know how you feel about what we've talked about this week - are you an Apple fanboy like Steven? What do you love about the Be My Eyes app? Let us know - [email protected]

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 half an episode to explain! This week, TFL's Mohammed Atif offers his demonstration of how to set up an Amazon Fire tablet with Voice View enabled. All that, plus: Robin now owning a braille display, and weirdly it has an ejector seat button, virtual machines, pet shop sounds, "Algorithms done a boo-boo", Steven speaking French, accessible ATMs, spongey braille, Andy "just works", Columbus collaborations, and Andy apparently being ideal for voicing SatNav systems in your car. Plus emails! What happens when Google blocks you from your emails, because you're not in your usual city? And a very technical question about adding a spellchecker to a Win32 application. Robin of course has the answer! Speaking of Robin, his World Sight Day interview with Amazon on their Day One Blog, can be found here - Making the digital world accessible to all On the topic of emails, yes, we do have an ever-expanding list still to read out, but trust me - we have secret plans for the rest of the year that will see us chomp through those 15 pages with ease! So now would be a great time to email in, and get it featured. Get in contact with us at [email protected] - every single one will be read out. Tata!

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 tablet just for the Google Lookout App, sheep not using 5G, missing AD on ITV now found, and Steven talking sports, albeit briefly.Andy is still giving out Tech Talk Titles for the regulars in the email inbox, so to join the list, get in contact with us at [email protected] - we welcome all kinds of questions, or even answers to previous listener questions that you want to join in on!chat to you all next week!

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 even got started? We also talk about the newest range of smartphones from Samsung, yes, Samsung are already revealing something new just months after the last lot. These are in the mid-range market, which has seen a boom in 2020. Will anyone on the team think of getting a Samsung S20 FE? We also talk about the new web accessibility toolkit from the RNIB, including the thoughts of RNIB CEO Matt Stringer, speaking exclusively to RNIB Connect Radio. All this, plus: emails, the news about the Alexa Care Hub, Jaffa Cakes, melons and mince pies, hacksaws, spatial audio, Zoom updates, the Android Accessibility suite, and Robin yawning?! We are still giving out Tech Talk Titles for the email regulars, so to join the list, get in contact with us at [email protected] - we welcome all kinds of questions, or even answers to previous listener questions that you want to join in on! ttfn x

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 only to claim your own Tech Talk Title (we have Richards I through III taken already!) then you can do so at [email protected] - we're getting through the inbox pages steadily, so now is a great time to get your questions in!Chat to you all next time :)

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 like fair and balanced coverage, we're also chatting about Android 11... it's one louder! Five points to you if you get that reference. Steven runs down all the expected new bits and bobs, and Andy bemoans the fact that his Huawei smartphone probably wont get this update for years, by which time his upgrade will be due, and he'll probably have ditched them. Maybe he'll see HarmonyOS before Android 11 though! Also up for discussion this week: Amazon Halo, and all kinds of blackmail they'll force on you once they have your naked body in photographs, football World Cup Finals, audio ducking, being clean shaven, A Lady and podcasts, The Simpsons, Whining noises, Downloading books that are recorded across multiple CD's, Kit Kats, whining noises which aren't emanating from Steven, and Non-Smart TV's. As we sail off to the lands of Valinor (again, another five points if you get that reference), the only thing left is to thank you for listening! Keep your wonderful emails coming in, especially those that give praise to Andy, he deserves it all... is it obvious who writes these show notes? ;) Blistering barnacles! [email protected] Toodle Pip xx

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 [email protected], 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 an old face returning! #RNIBConnect #TechTalk

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, social media, and using TW Blue for Twitter, Scripting on Narrator, being non-gooey, Trekker Breeze, Be My Eyes & independence, password managers, handheld recorders to help with music recording, the TV show Neighbours, more on dentists, and noisy rainstorms. Oh, and another apology regarding names... it's becoming quite the habit! Some of you like our rambling gibberish, some of you dont! Either way, we're really glad you're listening, and sharing your opinions. If you wish to have your say on anything we've covered in this, or a previous episode, email us at [email protected] Keep on truckin' x

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.Our poor email jingle has been getting a right hammering in emails lately, so we want to know... Do you like it, or despise it? Vote here: https://fast-poll.com/poll/198c9d33Our show is built around you, dear listener - without your comments, queries and compliments (and criticisms!)... well where would we be? What would Andy do?! [email protected] is the place to send them.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] Lots of love! x

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 and Soundscape news, unintentionally offending Americans, iPhone 12 rumours (will it really be 5.4 inches and square?), TV Guides, sounding like melting chocolate, and a walk down memory lane.We've covered plenty of emails in the past few episodes, and the next few will cover even more - to ask us anything, or to comment or question something featured in the show, email [email protected] and you'll certainly be included in an upcoming episode!Finally, here are the two links Robin mentioned in the episode for the upcoming AbilityNet Webinars! For more information, and to register, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8015958662507/WN_MqX0fomVSMOZQmVKBM7ZQQ Until we meet again!

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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. [email protected] 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 listeners, he's absolutely [email protected] for all your lovely emails!Register for AbilityNet's free accessible design tips webinarhttps://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7915937019647/WN_NT_jZq0cRt-ReKgQllKsTgParticipate in the BATA/WHO AT surveyhttps://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/help-every-disabled-person-uk-get-key-kit-they-need

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.... [email protected] 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! [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] and we'll read them out - and whisper it quietly... rumours around that the next show will be more focused towards emails, so now is a good time to write in!Until then, stay safe!

Welcome back to Tech Talk, everyone! We're still at home!On the show this week, Steven waxes lyrical over his massive new TV, and all the accessibility features it has, including audio description and voice guidance... he's very impressed! He can even see who is at his front door on it! This is thanks to the Ring doorbell app, which also has had a few updates.We natter about the Microsoft Ability Summit, and we hear a snippet from the keynote opening of the event by Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft Jenny Lay-Flurrie.Also, Robin explains his brilliant Bose frames, and the issues that occur when you smack your face into a cupboard... ouch! But they do now support Soundscape, which he's loving.Also in this week's episode: The Optacon swap gathers pace! Echo dot recommendations, more on Fraggle Rock, Dolphin EasyReader App, Lou Rawls, and alarms for when your mother-in-law is coming round.What to talk to us? [email protected] is the place to send your emails to the guys. Until next week!

[Hello TT fans; wondering why you've got this week's episode in your podcast feed again? Well, the original upload only lasted 48 minutes - whoops! Here's the full show. Soz x] Hi There! Ready for another Tech Talk? Of course you are! On this week's episode, the gang discuss Robin's busy week last week, what with the 9th Global Accessibility Awareness Day occurring - Steven on the other hand has just been turbo scrubbing various items around his house... Poor Dougal! We talk about the rumours regarding the Apple Glass, Apple's supposed new wearable, which could be announced at the iPhone 12 event - is this an actual leak, or have Apple sneaked this information out, in order to gauge a reaction from the public after the Google Glass fiasco? Robin also has a three-on-one iOS demo for us! How to connect your phone to your echo, how to use the keyboard to operate iOS, and finally a guide on the text-adventure game Frotz, which is his current obsession! Also this week: NHS track-and-trace, Synapptic updates, public transport apps, tech smelling lovely, TrackAVA, Robin's non-smelly trainers, and would Steven recommend the iPhone SE? For all your email questions, fire them over to [email protected], and we'll answer them in a future episode!

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! GAAD is an awareness day focusing on digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people with disabilities and impairments.In this special episode of Tech Talk, Steven Scott sits down with two Robins! Robin Christopherson, Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet and regular TT co-host, and Robin Spinks, the Principal Manager of Digital Accessibility at the RNIB.The trio discuss GAAD, and all the good being done by charities, manufacturers and organisations to make their products accessible.#GAAD #RNIBConnect #RNIBTechTalk

Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside! Steven, Robin and Andy return for another marvellous episode of Tech Talk - on this week's show we are joined by Stuart Beveridge, Assistive Technology Trainer at SeeScape. Stuart joins us to answer your questions on the 40-cell Braille display 'ElBraille', including if there are plans for a smaller model, and if it's compatible with personalised macros. Also on the show, we talk about the Miele GuideLine, a unique washing machine designed specifically for blind and partially sighted people... more on that in a future episode! Also: Be My Eyes and RNIB, Alexa vs Siri, and the battle for supremacy among smart assistants, MacBook Pro desires, and the pain behind a lack of function keys on newer models, and after the unbridled success of his Turbo Scrubber... thing, Steven explains what else he's been spending his hard earned* money on this week... and keep your ears peeled for a brief appearance from Dougal the dog! As mentioned during the show, you can contact Stuart at the following address: [email protected], or check out their website: https://www.seescape.org.uk/ Speaking of emails... here's ours! [email protected] - we love getting them, and we will read all of them (even if we are falling behind a little bit). You've got to hear the show. It's a dynamo! *unsubstantiated

Hello, Tech Talk fans! Episode 325 is ready for your ears! We cover a handful of news items in today’s episode, chiefly the Microsoft Surface Go 2’s arrival; how does it compare with the rest of the ‘not-quite-a-tablet-not-completely-a-laptop’ market? Can anyone make a convincing case to buying it? Elsewhere Steven’s been glued to shopping channels during lock-down: he will soon be the proud owner of something called a ‘Turbo Scrub’! Will he get bored enough to give us a full review next week? Also WWDC is online-only this year, but we do have a date: June 22. More on that in later episodes... And then to emails, and not only are Robin and Steven apparently ready to open some kind of Swap Shop for tech, but we also cover drone parcel deliveries when deaf/blind, Facebook notifications, Optacon’s under the stairs, keyboards for El Braille, and the increasing problem with modern films which have a strong combination of mumbly dialogues, overly loud soundtracks as well as audio description... sensory overload! If you want to quiz, argue, moan, brag, complain, adulate… (or simply ask a question), you can do! Get those emails sent to [email protected] and you’ll get to hear Andy read them out in an upcoming episode.

It's absolutely chockablock in Tech Talk Towers today; there's no room to move! That's because we have Steven, Robin, Shaun and Andy all in attendance. Yes, Steven returns from his illness! You can tell, because there's extra waffle in this week's episode. Alongside the waffle, the gang talk about the iPhone SE, and Steven's first impressions, Intel to buy Moovit, Robin chats about a recent purchase - the Echo Show 8, there's talk about the Covid-19 tracking software being implemented, and we also hear about a new Microsoft AI for Accessibility funded project from City University London, called The ORBIT (Object Recognition for Blind Image Training) (https://orbit.city.ac.uk/) For all your email questions, fire them over to [email protected], and we'll answer them in a future episode (depending on the waffle levels).

Tech Talk is here to blow your isolation blues away! Robin and Andy welcome Shaun Preece back for another week as Steven recovers from his illness. The trio deal have a jam-packed show for you, including: The return of Fraggle Rock, now on Apple TV+, The arrival of Galloways and RNIB remote support via Be My Eyes, mental health with Headspace, an anniversary for Microsoft Disability Answer Desk, email topics including microwaves, and someone not liking the chat about Harry Potter! All that, plus news on the recent Zoom update, Apple Accessibility and thoughts on the upcoming WWDC, Shaun's new haircut, Andy moaning about the Dark Sky weather app disappearing from Android phones, and a very (very) brief chat about the iPhone SE... I predict more on this topic next week! As ever, drop your questions, queries, compliments, complaints and general musings to [email protected], and we'll get to them on a future show!

Well well well, what's this? A strange-yet-somewhat familiar voice is introducing you all to the podcast this week... could it be? Why yes! Yes it is! It's the return of the delectable, delightful, and at times deplorable... Shaun Preece! Last heard way back on episode 266... best blow the cobwebs off him first... Why is he back, you may ask? Well, Steven's poorly this week, so of course Shaun was more than happy to help out with presenting duties. He joins Robin and Andy this week to talk about all sorts of stuff, including: The arrival of the iPhone SE 2nd gen! Who among the Tech Talk team will end up buying one first? Also, March saw the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's 42nd anniversary: fans will remember the Babel Fish, so how close are the Echo buds to that translating technology? All that, plus haircuts, BBC and TuneIn, Spotify, the Body Coach, clapping, Magic Jinn and loads more! We love your emails! You can write your own to [email protected], we're also on Twitter (@RNIBRadio) under #AskTechTalk Get well soon, Steven!

Hello to you all! It's Tech Talk time, and this week's show is jam-packed! We've Andrew Coleman on to tell us about Galloway's, a sight loss charity based in the North West of England launching an Alexa skill, which will allow people to find out about their latest services, as well as listen to a range of talking newspapers, Randy Rusnack returns to talk us through talking ovens, Robin and Steven chat about their Bose Frames and the newest update, and we also discuss some news items, including delivery drones, Google’s AI phone assistant Duplex, and Robin tries desperately to convince Steven to listen to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - especially as JK Rowling has make the ebook and audiobook free! Want to email us? [email protected]. Tweet? @RNIBRadio with the hashtag #AskTechTalk. Keep safe, everyone. #StayatHome

Greetings!On this week's rip roaring, trailblazing Tech Talk, Steven and Robin discuss the imminent arrival of the iPhone SE, and also all the accessibility changes in the new iOS update, we discuss Audible making books free for younger readers, more tips and tricks for getting the absolute best out of your Amazon echo device, especially to keep you in a routine during this odd times, and speaking of odd, Andy's here with emails! More from you guys this week on the new RNIB Reading Service, Overdrive, and radio apps.You never know, Dougal and Shanelle might even make an appearance! Want to email us? [email protected]. Tweet? @RNIBRadio with the hashtag #AskTechTalk.Keep safe, everyone. #StayatHome

Welcome to Tuesday, and welcome to Tech Talk! Steven, Robin and Andy join you from their own homes again this week. On today's show, Robin guides us through making calls and checking your calendar via Lady A (with a little help from Randy Rusnack), we hear about a Vital Tech support service funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, which provides advice on accessible technology, we hear about the multi-line digital Braille e-reader Canute with David Woodbridge , and there's also time for some emails. [email protected] is the email for all your questions, queries and compliments!