Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 8, 2016 - Volume 588
The Week's News in Access Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

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Greetings,

1) A useful new book comes from Jackie Brown of the British Computer Association of the Blind. Braille on display tells you about the features found in most of today's popular Braille devices, and offers the author's opinion on their pros and cons. It is available for $35 in various electronic formats:
http://mosen.org/brailleondisplay/

2) Microsoft is taking automatic picture recognition a step further in an online demo which recognizes and describes images. It's called CaptionBot:
http://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=16240

3) CAVI will offer a "Music Composition with Reaper" course next semester. The course costs $150 for those paying out of pocket. A knowledge of tracks, items, folders, effects and the ability to successfully save and render a project in reaper are prerequisites:
http://wiki.cucat.org/pmwiki.php/Main/MusicCompositionWithReaper

4A) You can read here about Microsoft's accessibility plans for Office 365:
https://blogs.office.com/2016/12/02/accessibility-in-office-365-enabling-greater-digital-inclusion/

4B) And here, for a post saying some of the same things, but detailing planned improvements to Narrator and Windows 10:
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/accessibility/2016/12/02/making-microsoft-products-more-accessible-what-to-expect-in-2017/

5A) Identifi is another object-recognition app (iOS only at present) to add to our portfolio. Amazing what we can do today that we couldn't even three years ago!
http://www.fredshead.info/2016/12/identifi-object-recognition-for.html

5B) Meanwhile, Envision has released ELI, an iOS app apparently destined to emulate the capabilities of the Pen Friend. The user purchases special labels from the company, then records or re-records messages of any length to identify the object:
http://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ios-app-discussion/introducing-envision-eli-personal-assistant-visually-impaired-help

6A) This article is called "Amazon Echo As An Accessibility Support:"
https://luisperezonline.com/2016/12/05/amazon-echo-as-an-accessibility-support/

6B) Speaking of the Echo, you'll be able to hear it compared and contrasted with Google Home on Tek Talk for GMT 13 Dec at the special time of 00:30
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

7) This page details the current state of accessibility of LibreOffice, one of the free Office alternatives:
http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/accessibility/

8) As they have in previous years, AFB offers its "Gift Ideas for Friends and Family Members Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired:"
http://www.afb.org/blog/afb-blog/gift-ideas-for-friends-and-family-members-who-are-blind-or-visually-impaired/12

9) CNET presents "21 Shortcuts for Safari You Need to Know:"
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/shortcuts-for-safari-you-need-to-know/

10) This talk by "Blind Scooter Guy" tells his story and gives his account of how he uses technology:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngjgHtV8Ohw&t=95s

11) This AppleVis guide covers "Sharing Data from a Text Message:"
http://www.applevis.com/guides/gps-ios-ipad-iphone-ipod-touch-miscellaneous-voiceover/sharing-data-text-message

12) This site aims to be a social networking platform to bring the disabled community together:
https://mydisabilitymatters.club/new-site-bring-disability-community-together/

13) Hear about "Building Electronics Projects," from two of the participants in the Blind Arduino Project, in Eyes on Success Episode #1650:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%201650.htm

14) I'm sure that within the next couple of days the official version will be released, but for now, the release candidate of NVDA 2016.4 is ready. It features improved performance with the Microsoft Edge browser and the implementation of Browse Mode in Windows 10 Mail, among other enhancements:
http://www.nvaccess.org/post/nvda-2016-4rc1-released/

15A) Other podcasts include the AT Junkies talking about access to Google products:
https://audioboom.com/boos/5366828

15B) Blind Bargains Qast #84:
http://blindbargains.com/b/16238

15C) And the Blind Sight podcast, Episode #17:
https://soundcloud.com/theblindsidepodcast/episode17

16) iAccessibility announces a product to make Spotify for the Mac accessible:
http://iaccessibility.net/index.php/downloads/accessible-spotify/

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2.) One Gently Used Optelec Clearview Plus 22 Inch Monitor with Ultra Flex Arm for $1,995.00 USD - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
Price: $1,995.00 USD
Savings: Offered here at approximately $1,300.00 USD off its suggested list price.
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Description: Optelec's Clearview line of video magnifiers is Flying Blind, LLC's preferred desktop solution for the low-vision user seeking comfort, simplicity, ergonomics, and versatility ...

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Flying Blind, LLC Online Store Highlights:
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1.) Welcome to OWAC! Operating Within A Cloud! 'OWAC: Where The Sky's The Limit!' - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
OWAC Onsite = $1,000.00 USD + Pre-approved travel expenses. OWAC Remote = $500.00 USD
http://bit.ly/OWAC-HTML
The OWAC Professional Development Workshop marries decades of assistive technology know-how with the fast-paced expectations of a predominantly sighted world. Are you serving students ...

2.) 'iOS in the Classroom: A Guide for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, iOS 9 Edition' Authored By Larry L. Lewis, Jr., President, Flying Blind LLC, and Published by AFB Press - AFB Online Store
Paperback: $29.95, Online: $17.95, ePUB: $20.95, Kindle: $20.95
http://bit.ly/iOS9-ITC-AFB-FBLLC
This book represents a 'must have' for any direct service provider working with vision impaired consumers who are using iOS technology within their educational or pre-vocational settings ...

3.) Silver Indoor Outdoor Talking Thermometer for $16.95 USD - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
http://bit.ly/1HHaM7I
Indoor and outdoor temperature spoken at the touch of a button, Fahrenheit or Celsius, volume control and on/off switch. LCD visual display can show either indoor or outdoor temperature ...

4.) Perkins Mini Braille Display 16 Cell for $1,495.00 USD Each and 24 Cell for $2,295.00 USD Each - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
http://bit.ly/1l9TSEw
A portable Braille display with more to offer for less money. The Mini provides Braille input and output for PCs, tablets, mobile phones, and gives you that internal notetaking functionality ...

5.) Large Print Address Book for $16.00 USD - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
http://bit.ly/1Q1LZxC
Spiral bound book. Holds up to 500 address listings. Three address listings per page. Includes 20/20 pen. Durable covers with inside front and back pockets. Alphabetical tabs and ample room ...

6.) Smart Beetle 14 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with Executive Products Carrying Case for $1,275.00 USD - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
http://bit.ly/1OHltXe
A Pocket-sized Power Pack That Fits Your Lifestyle and Your Budget! Ultra-Portable 14-Cell Braille Display with 5 Simultaneous Bluetooth Connections! Smart Beetle is a 14 Cell Braille ...

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http://bit.ly/1TmcA6r
Spiral bound register helps keep better control of check recording. Contains spaces for 14 entries per full page. Size: 5" x 9" ...

8.) Braille Edge 40 Braille Display with Executive Products Carrying Case for $2,795.00 USD - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
http://bit.ly/1O5ircy
The most powerful and versatile Braille display, with the features of a basic Notetaker! Manage Your Daily Life! Braille EDGE 40 is not only a most reliable, high-performance refreshable Braille ...

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