In this episode, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece discuss the winners of the Game Accessibility Awards Conference (GAConf), which took place this week. They highlight the achievements of games like Forza Motorsport, which won several awards for its exceptional accessibility features, including the AAA Excellence Award and the Best Blind/Low Vision Accessibility Award.
Steven and Shaun also delve into the topic of Microsoft’s approval for running Windows on Apple Silicon Macs, specifically the M3 processor. Additionally, they address the quirky news story about the U.S. Embassy statement to the UK government regarding the controversial suggestion of adding salt to tea, which has sparked humorous debates on both sides of the Atlantic.
Also, as promised over three times already, they finally play a demo by listener Lena, who explains how to set up and use the new Groups feature within Be My Eyes.
And, Roger Khouri from London, Ontario, joins the guys to talk about Out of Sight and their upcoming 16th-anniversary event. He explains how Out of Sight provides a welcoming online space for the blind community to engage in games, workshops, and social interactions through the TeamTalk audio platform.
Remember to follow Double Tap on social media @DoubleTapOnAir and subscribe to the podcast for more accessible technology content. Send your feedback to [email protected].
In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece – rather surprisingly – discuss various topics related to accessible technology.
They start by celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apple Macintosh, reminiscing about their experiences with early Mac computers and discussing the evolution of Mac accessibility features, including the introduction of VoiceOver in 2005.
The conversation then shifts to Google’s introduction of new generative AI features in Chrome for Mac and Windows Cs, aiming to provide a more streamlined and personalized browsing experience. Although Steven and Shaun find some of the features, like tab organization and AI-powered custom themes, less relevant to their needs, they acknowledge the potential benefits for users who are partially sighted and the usefulness of AI writing assistance.
The main focus of the episode is on driverless cars, with special guest Gregg Hayes sharing his experience using Uber’s autonomous vehicle service in Phoenix, Arizona. Greg compares his ride with Uber to his previous experiences with Waymo, noting differences in the ease of finding the car and the level of interaction provided during the trip. Despite some challenges, Greg expresses his confidence and trust in the safety of driverless cars, highlighting the advantages of not having to interact with a human driver.
Keep in touch with Double Tap by emailing [email protected], or by calling 1-877-803-4567. You can also find us on social media by searching for Double Tap.
In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece are joined by Steve Saylor, also known as the Blind Gamer, to discuss the GAConf Awards happening on Wednesday, which he will be hosting.
The show begins with Steven and Shaun engaging in light-hearted banter about the weather and their sleepless nights due to a storm. They then shift to discussing Shaun’s desire for a relaxing holiday and the challenges of finding accessible vacation options.
The conversation transitions to the topic of game accessibility and the upcoming Game Accessibility Conference Awards. Steve Saylor shares his excitement about hosting the awards and the progress made in the gaming industry in terms of accessibility. He emphasizes that gaming is for everyone, regardless of age or ability, and that accessible gaming options are now available across various genres.
The show wraps up with listener emails and voicemails, including feedback on the Seeing AI app and an appeal for beta testers for the OKO app in Canada.
On this Friday, January 19, 2024, Steven and Shaun dive into a weekly roundup of tech and accessibility news, discussions and interviews.
The show kicks off with the hosts discussing the new schedule for Double Tap, which will now be five days a week, with four regular shows and the Friday Express. This change comes as they prepare to launch content on YouTube, aiming to maintain the quality of their work without spreading themselves too thin.
Grace Scoffield joins with Double Tap news headlines, covering Samsung’s new flagship smartphones featuring Galaxy AI, Google’s Circle to Search feature, the anticipated Orbit Speak from Orbit Research, and the upcoming Hable Two Bluetooth keyboard for smartphones. She also mentions the WebAIM survey for screen reader users, which is gathering insights to enhance web content and standards for people with disabilities.
Steven has a conversation with Eric Roche about the Inside One Braille tablet, a Windows-running device designed with touch technology for the blind community. It’s a high-end product that aims to provide a seamless experience for blind users, though its price point may be a barrier for some.
The episode also delves into accessible gaming, specifically focusing on Forza Motorsport, which allows people who are blind to drive with no vision at all. Steven interviews Ross Minor, who shares his excitement about the game’s groundbreaking accessibility features and the inclusive gaming experience it offers. They discuss the game’s sound cues, customization options, and the overall reaction from the gaming community.
Keep in touch with Double Tap by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-877-803-4567 and leaving us a voicemail that we might use on air. You can also find us across social media: search for Double Tap.
In today’s episode, Steven and Shaun are buzzing with excitement over the plethora of news hitting the tech world. They discuss the recent Samsung Unpacked event, which, despite not usually capturing Steven’s attention, brought some intriguing features to the table. Shaun, on the other hand, is particularly fascinated by the AI capabilities and live translation features announced.
Special guest Sallih Kunduz from the Accessible Android website and podcast joins the show to give his expert take on the Samsung announcements. Salih emphasizes the significance of AI in the new Galaxy S24 series and the potential for enhanced accessibility through live transcription and translation during phone calls.
The conversation then shifts to Orbit Research and their elusive OrbitSpeak product. Steven shares updates on the anticipated release, expressing cautious optimism due to previous delays. The hosts also touch upon the unfortunate delay of the Optima Braille laptop, promising to delve deeper into the reasons with Adi Kushner in a future episode.
Another highlight of the show is the introduction of the Inside One Braille tablet by a French company. This Windows-running device aims to revolutionize the Braille note-taking experience with its touch-sensitive screen and Perkins-style keyboard overlay. Eric Roche from Inside One gives listeners an in-depth look at the tablet’s features, design, and potential for inclusion in educational and professional settings.
Lastly, Steven and Shaun discuss the rumours about a paid subscription model for Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa. They ponder the value of such a service and what it would need to offer to justify the cost.
Resources Mentioned:
– Accessible Android: accessandroid.com
– Inside One Braille Tablet: insidevision.fr
Connect with Double Tap:
– Follow on X: @DoubleTapOnAir
– Email: [email protected]
– Call: 1-877-803-4567
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the ongoing saga of Steven’s attempts to find a suitable talking watch to simply tell the time. Following his issues with the Five Senses watch, listener Kyler gets in touch to share some important hints to get the best out of the watch, while listener Jennie suggests an update for the Apple Watch that might solve some of Steven’s original issues.
Also, following a rather honest email from listener Mary, there’s much discussion on the way people in the disability community are treated on the streets when out and about.
Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK)
X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed
Mastodon: @DoubleTap
On today’s show, Steven and Shaun discuss the accessibility of the Forza Motorsport game for gamers who are blind with help from guest Ross Miner.
They delve into the sensory overload and muscle memory involved in the game, exploring the various auditory cues used to navigate the racing simulation. Ross also shares his preference for Xbox over PlayStation due to its better audio handling capabilities.
There’s also further feedback from listeners on a wide range of topics, as per usual.
Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK)
X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed
Mastodon: @DoubleTap
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the latest purchase by Steven: a new talking watch that is supposedly smart. However, can some devices be less smart than they give themselves credit for?
And, following a post on Mastodon that he noticed, Steven has been shopping on eBay for a Braille display; is it the bargain he hopes for?
And there’s the good old-fashioned good/bad game with tech as we talk about the good and bad of screenreaders and a rather useful new feature on Mac for people who are partially sighted.
Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK)
X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed
Mastodon: @DoubleTap
Today on the show, Steven and Shaun wrap up Double Tap’s coverage of CES in Las Vegas.
While the mainstream tech companies talk about transparent TVs and smart bidets, here at Double Tap we wanted to focus on the technology that can make a difference to our lives. You will hear about smart navigation devices for people who are blind up to a glove that can reduce the tremors in the hand of a patient with Parkinson’s.
Plus we look at some of the best pet tech around at the world’s biggest technology show that sets the agenda for 2024.
Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK)
X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed
Mastodon: @DoubleTap