Top Tech Tidbits Podcast Top Tech Tidbits

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, November 23rd 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, WAYAROUND.
 
WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things.
 
The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires.
 
The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.
 
Download the app for iOS or Android today.
 
Learn more at: WAYAROUND.COM.
 
And at number #5 this week …
 
iOS Accessible App Spotlight: Be My AI / Be My Eyes (Part 3 of 3) By Illegally Sighted Via YouTube
 
In this third video covering Be My AI, I try looking at several charts, diagrams, tables, and more. Again, I am very impressed with the results. Describing these types of pictures may be extremely helpful for students and professionals:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDF2qwcAvVs&t=3s
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
Pedesting App Revolutionizes Accessibility With Detailed Indoor Navigation And Inclusive Building Features By Assistive Technology Blog
 
Pedesting is a groundbreaking app developed by Nabeel Ramji, who, despite his rare form of cerebral palsy, has navigated significant challenges to create a solution for individuals with disabilities facing barriers in public spaces.
 
Ramji's personal journey, from a childhood with limited speech and mobility to becoming a University of Calgary graduate and a successful professional in real estate, inspired the creation of the Pedesting app:
 
https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2023/11/pedesting-indoor-navigation-calgary.html
 
And at # 3 this week...
 
Vispero's Next Big Thing Contest Winner Announced By DoubleTap
 
The winner of Freedom Scientific's Next Big Thing contest has been announced.
 
Freedom Scientific, a leading manufacturer of assistive technology for people with vision impairments, launched the innovative contest back in September to crowdsource new features for their renowned software products JAWS and ZoomText.
 
Finalists' ideas included creating a JAWS Gym to help people get to know the numerous keyboard shortcuts within JAWS, and a cool idea to give you paragraph previews of documents, websites and more without having to open the item up:
 
https://doubletaponair.com/visperos-next-big-thing-contest-announces-winner-tonight/
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
Confirmed: Microsoft Office 2024 Won't Require A Subscription By ghacks.net
 
Microsoft Office 2024 exists, does not require a subscription and will be released in 2024:
 
https://ghacks.net/2023/11/13/microsoft-office-2024-confirmed-wont-require-a-subscription/
 
And at #1 this week …
 
Introducing Obstacle Detector Professional: Travel Tools For The Blind By AppleVis
 
Editor (Woodbridge): The Obstacle Detection App for iPhone mainly uses LIDAR, requires an iPhone 12 Pro or above, and includes a 5 minute demo within the app and then an in-app purchase. Worth having a look at and play with.
 
AppleVis: Obstacle Detector is a powerful obstacle-detection application explicitly designed for visually impaired individuals. With its robust features and advanced technology, Obstacle Detector has become an indispensable travel companion for the visually impaired:
 
https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/introducing-obstacle-detector-ap

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, November 16th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, AIRA.
 
Aira is the sole commercially embraced solution that connects blind and low vision individuals with certified Visual Interpreters, delivering a secure and reliable service.
 
Their 24/7, globally accessible on-demand platform is empowered by a proprietary dashboard that seamlessly integrates with their mobile app.
 
Using just your smartphone camera and the Aira app, a highly-trained Visual Interpreter will be at your side, to provide a comprehensive visual interpretation of your environment.
From vivid descriptions to reading, from clear explanations to expert navigation, they’re here to assist you with whatever you need, all in a safe and secure manner.
 
Learn more today at: AIRA.IO.
 
And at number #5 this week …
 
The Best Password Managers To Protect Your Data On iOS And macOS By Apple Insider
 
Using unique and strong passwords for every website is a must for internet security.
 
Too few people know how to do this, and that's where password managers come in and can make online life easier.
 
There's no doubt about it, actually doing the work to stay safe on the web is hard — and getting harder.
 
In order to be truly secure online, each and every login you use needs its own strong, unique password:
 
https://appleinsider.com/inside/ios/best/best-password-managers-to-protect-your-data-on-ios-and-macos
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
The Best Microphones For Zoom, According To The CNET Staff Who Use Them
 
As remote work increases globally, online meetings are also on the rise.
 
Having the best microphone for those meetings helps everyone communicate effectively:
 
https://www.cnet.com/tech/best-microphone-for-zoom-according-to-the-cnet-staff-who-use-them/
 
And at # 3 this week...
 
How Your Smartphone Can Help If You Have Hearing Loss By Kami Funk Via Accessibility.com
 
Kami Writes: Eighty-five percent of people now own a smartphone.
 
Smartphones are ubiquitous tools nowadays.
 
But did you know they can also be accessibility tools for people with hearing loss or hearing-related disabilities?
 
It's true!
 
Let's take a look at the features that make your smartphone an excellent accessibility tool for hearing-related disabilities:
 
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-your-smartphone-can-help-if-you-have-hearing-loss
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
How 'Acoustic Touch' Technology Offers Vision Through Sound By Unite.ai
 
In an era where technological marvels emerge at a breathtaking pace, a remarkable breakthrough has surfaced from the labs of Australian researchers—'acoustic touch.'
 
This pioneering technology promises to redefine the landscape of assistive devices for the visually impaired.
 
Developed by an industrious team from the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Sydney, and the innovative minds at Sydney start-up ARIA Research, acoustic touch stands as a testament to human ingenuity and compassion.
 
Acoustic touch does not just aim to assist those who navigate the world without sight; it seeks to transform their interaction with their surroundings, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary through auditory signals:
 
https://www.unite.ai/how-acoustic-touch-technology-offers-vision-through-sound/
 
And at #1 this week …
 
Seeing AI Advances By Oph

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, November 9th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
     
This podcast brought to you by, FABLE.
 
Just like curb cuts help everyone get on and off sidewalks, designing digital products with accessibility in mind helps make the internet more accessible for everyone.


Fable is an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities.
 
Fable connects people with disabilities to accessibility managers, user researchers, designers, and developers to build incredible and accessible user experiences.
 
Learn more today at: FABLEPATHWAYS.COM.
 
And at number #5 this week …
 
AI Suitcase Tested Outdoors To Guide Visually Impaired People
 
An artificial intelligence-powered suitcase being developed to guide visually impaired people is slowly moving toward taking over the roles of white canes and guide dogs, researchers said.
 
They are now at the difficult stage of making the robotic suitcase on wheels usable in both indoor and outdoor environments.
 
During an experiment in September 2023, the smart suitcase guided Chieko Asakawa, director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Miraikan, to the nearest station from her workplace in Tokyo's Koto Ward:
 
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15025247
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
This USB-C Headphone Dongle Brings Back The Headphone Jack To The iPhone 15 — And Makes Your Music Sound Brilliant By iMore
 
The last iPhone to carry the headphone jack was the first generation iPhone SE, discontinued in 2018.
 
That is now five years ago. Five years with no main-line iPhone with a headphone jack, and the only way to get one officially from Apple is with a $10 dongle that feels like it's only going to last around three minutes.
 
From my experience, in fact, they can last even less time than that, with unreasonably thin cables.
 
Now, with the advent of the USB-C port on the bottom of the iPhone 15 line, it's become easier to connect headphones with different dongles, and it's even opened the floodgates to a whole new idea for iPhones — USB-C Digital to Analog Converters (DACS):
 
https://www.imore.com/iphone/this-usb-c-headphone-dongle-brings-back-the-headphone-jack-to-the-iphone-15-and-makes-your-music-sound-brilliant
 
And at # 3 this week ...
Computer Scientists Program Robotic Seeing-Eye Dog To Guide The Visually Impaired By News Wise
 
Engineers from the Computer Science Department at Binghamton University, State University of New York have programmed a robot guide dog to assist the visually impaired.
The robot responds to tugs on its leash:
 
https://www.newswise.com/articles/computer-scientists-program-robotic-seeing-eye-dog-to-guide-the-visually-impaired
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
What's New in JAWS 2024 Screen Reading Software By Freedom Scientific
 
This page describes the new features and improvements available in JAWS 2024:
 
https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/JAWS/JAWSWhatsNew#Enhancements
 
And at #1 this week …
 
The iPhone 15 Pro Brings Tangible Accessibility Benefits By SixColors.com
 
What makes an iPhone accessible? Mostly, it's the software: the operating system and apps that follow guidelines Apple has set for that purpose.
 
If new hardware plays a role, it's often in the opposite direction. For some with hearing or vision disabilities, the loss of the Home button has made hanging onto an iPhone SE

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, November 2nd 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
     
This podcast brought to you by, CLUSIV.
 
Clusiv empowers you, the blind or low-vision learner, to gain the skills you need to enter the modern workforce from the comfort of your own home, and at your own pace.
 
For the first time in history you can learn from blind professionals who have truly walked the walk in all areas of corporate America and academia all in one place.
 
Whether its learning to be an expert with the Microsoft Office suite so you can make the President’s List at college, or diving deep into computer science and accessibility analysis so you can make the internet a better place for all, Clusiv is here for you.
 
Learn more today at: CLUSIV.IO.
 
And at number #5 this week …
 
10 New Windows 11 Features In The October 2023 Update To Try Now BY Computer World
 
Windows 11's big update for the year isn't only about artificial intelligence. There are lots of other updates to check out, including the return of many users' favorite taskbar option:
 
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3708773/windows-11-october-2023-update.html
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
Generative AI: A Guide For Beginners BY Aaron Di Blasi VIA Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
 
Navigating the world of generative AI can feel overwhelming, especially for those just taking their initial steps into this burgeoning field.
 
A question I am frequently asked is, “So, where do I start with generative AI? What's the first step? And which tool should I use?” The tool you choose will be contingent upon your specific needs and objectives. Do you wish to distill vast amounts of text? Craft compelling narratives? Or create stunning visual artwork? To assist you in making these decisions, I have compiled this introductory guide:
 
https://mvsltd.com/news/generative-ai-a-guide-for-beginners/
 
And at # 3 this week...
 
You Can Replace Siri With ChatGPT On Your iPhone, Here's How BY BGR
 
I opened with the following comment: This article was originally published on March 12, 2023, but with the recent release of GPT-4V, and a continued silence from Apple on the subject of AI, it may now be even more relevant than it was before.
 
BGR Writes: It's very likely that Apple will give Siri formidable powers in the near future, similar to what ChatGPT can do. Or better. But Apple isn't in the same hurry as Google and Microsoft to respond to the ChatGPT threat by launching flawed versions of AI bots. While we wait for Siri to gain ChatGPT powers, we can always replace Siri on iPhone, iPad, and Mac thanks to a shortcut that lets you harness the power of ChatGPT directly on an Apple device. Technically, we're not really replacing Siri, as Apple doesn't offer iPhone users that sort of access to system apps. We're just using Siri to trigger a ChatGPT shortcut via voice, and then the latter will answer our queries:
 
https://bgr.com/tech/you-can-replace-siri-with-chatgpt-on-your-iphone-heres-how/
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
JAWS, Zoomtext and Fusion 2024 Have Been Released
 
Below are links to what's new in each release:
 
JAWS:
https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/JAWS/JAWSWhatsNew#Enhancements
 
ZoomText:
https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/ZoomText/ZoomTextWhatsNew#enhancements
 
Fusion 2024:
https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/Fusion/FusionWhatsNew#enhancements
 

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, October 26th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, ACCESS TECH LIVE.
 
Formerly Double Tap TV, Access Tech Live is a weekly tech show on AMI-TV, (also available on CBC Gem in Canada and YouTube).
 
Join hosts Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo each week as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist them in their everyday lives.
 
Its tech from an accessible point of view! The show features interviews with some of the biggest names in consumer tech and features up and coming companies and services.
 
Learn more today at: ACCESSTECHLIVE.COM.
 
And at number #5 this week …
Demonstration And Hands on Overview of the Monarch Graphics Braille Tablet From HumanWare & APH BY David Woodbridge, Top Tech Tidbits Editor | Audio Only
https://t.co/JAOFmvZn3O
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
How to Create Audio Descriptions for YouTube Videos BY Rebecca Klein VIA 3PlayMedia
 
Rebecca Writes: More than 1 billion hours of videos are watched on YouTube each day. 71% of people with disabilities leave a website immediately if it's not accessible. You don't have to be a mathematician to understand these stats and their implications.
 
If you want your YouTube videos to reach their full potential, you need to make them accessible with captions and audio description. But how?
 
Until 2023, YouTube didn't support audio description in the same way it supported captions. For captions, users could upload an SRT file with their video, but there was no similar solution for audio description.
This meant that if a user was going to add audio description, it had to be embedded into the video and uploaded as one version.
 
However, YouTube recently launched the ability to add audio description tracks to videos — a win for media accessibility!
 
While the audio description capabilities are not available to all users yet, YouTube indicates that they will continue to roll this feature out to more creators:
 
https://www.3playmedia.com/blog/how-to-add-audio-description-to-youtube-videos/
 
And at # 3 this week...
Passkeys: What They Are and Why You Need Them ASAP BY PC Mag
Here we tell you what passkeys are, how you can get them, and where you can use them to log in securely without exposing your email address or creating a password.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/passwordless-authentication-what-it-is-and-why-you-need-it-asap
 
And at number #2 this week …
I'm Totally Blind. Artificial Intelligence Is Helping Me Rediscover the World BY Milagros Costabel VIA Slate
If someone told me, a couple of weeks prior, that I would be taking pictures of everything that crossed my path, I would have laughed in their face.
But there I was, sitting on the sidewalk, looking to capture the perfect shot that would allow me to learn a little more about the world I am a part of: the expression of the guide dog who is always by my side; the bustle of a busy street full of buildings, cars, and signs; the box of desserts I just bought, wondering whether it looked appetizing enough to bring to a family dinner.
I can't see these things, which are so easy to take for granted, with my own eyes. But A.I. has now brought me as close to being able to do so as I'll probably ever be.
https://slate.com/technology/2023/10/ai-image-tools-blind-low-vision.html
 
And at #1 this week …
Some iOS VoiceOver Bugs and Workarounds BY Pam Coffey VIA The Tech-VI List
Pam Writes: As I am w

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, October 19th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, HIMS, Inc.
 
HIMS, Inc. is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999.
 
Learn more today at: HTTPS://HIMS-INC.COM.
 
And at number #5 this week …
 
Flying Blind: Taking Flight Simulation To A New Level In Accessibility BY Hackaday
 
Software developers Andy Borka and Jason Fayre have a love for aviation. They are also both totally blind. They've developed software called Talking Flight Monitor, and it has made flight simulation possible for anyone with impaired vision or blindness, as you can experience in the blurry video below the break. What draws them to aviation and flight simulators? Find out here.
 
https://hackaday.com/2021/11/02/flying-blind-taking-flight-simulation-to-a-new-level-in-accessibility/
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
What's the Difference Between Outlook, Outlook for Windows, and Outlook.com? BY Ask Leo
 
LEO WRITES: The short answer is: Outlook, Outlook for Windows, and Outlook.com are three different things. They don't really relate to each other. They have only three things in common: they're all related to email, they all have the word "Outlook" in their names, and their icons are similar if not identical. That's where the similarity ends. It's frustrating because people often refer to Outlook when they mean Outlook.com.
 
https://askleo.com/how_do_outlook_and_outlookcom_relate/
 
And at # 3 this week...
 
My Plain Text Workflow As A Fiction Writer BY Robert Kingett
 
ROBERT WRITES: Plain text workflows are especially useful for screen reader users because, rather than memorizing an inaccessible user interface, the user can just create documents without worrying about formatting. This post by a blind writer covers managing track changes as plain text as well as how one can do text based accounting, and more:
 
https://robertkingett.com/2023/10/02/plaintext/
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
BrailleNote Touch Outdated OS BY Perkins School For The Blind
 
Is your BrailleNote having connectivity issues and/or problems with Google applications? A number of TVIs are reporting that the BrailleNote Touch (and other more current Humanware braille notetakers) are running Android 8.1, an old operating system. This old operating system will no longer connect to most school Wi-Fi networks. It is reported that even the current Humanware braille notetakers are running the old operating system. Google no longer receives security updates and is officially no longer supporting Android 8.1 (AKA Android Oreo) which was released in August of 2017.
 
https://www.perkins.org/braillenote-touch-outdated-os/
 
And at #1 this week …
 
JAWS Power Tip: How To Use Immersive Reader in Microsoft Edge BY Freedom Scientific
 
Immersive Reader is a Microsoft Edge feature that simplifies the layout of text and reduces clutter. Use it on pages where it is available to read continuously, bypassing ads and other page content. This can include pages containing content such as articles, blog posts, and recipes. JAWS provides notification if Immersive Reader is available when the page loads. To enable Immersive Reader, follow these steps.
 
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/197.html
 
And that's the scoop for this week.
 
Remember that links to each of the articles announced today can be found w