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Top Tech Tidbits. The Week's News in Access Technology. Masthead logo includes title as well as five photos, a blind man with a white cane wearing dark sunglasses talking and listening to his mobile phone, a woman with sandy brown to blonde hair wearing a hearing aid, finger tips feeling braille dots on a refreshable braille display, a man making the sign for 'family' in American Sign Language (ASL), and a woman reading text from a tablet using magnification software.

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 18, 2020 - Volume 760

The Week's News in Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Preorder the Orbit Writer Braille Keyboard and Orbit Reader displays from A. T. Guys. Read on to learn more about our exciting products.

Picture of Orbit Research products and A. T. Guys logo with text Revolutionary access technologies thoughtfully selected by A T Guys. Including the: Orbit Writer Braille Keyboard, Orbit Reader Braille Display. VISIT OUR STORE, Pre-order yours today!

Link: https://www.atguys.com/?utm_source=tidbits&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=orbit0620

A. T. Guys has the gadgets and tools to liven up your summer and beyond. We’re now taking preorders for the Orbit Writer Braille Keyboard, the most affordable device that will let you connect to your phone or computer and type in Braille. Connect to up to 6 devices at once and switch easily between them. Plus, it fits in a purse or pocket and weighs just 3 ounces. Preorder now for $99.We also have the Orbit Writer 20 Plus in stock, a modern display with signage-quality braille, braille translation, clock, calendar, and more, all for $699. Or preorder the 40-cell version for $1,399 which includes cursor routing buttons and haptic feedback. Check out our V7 USB Headset Microphone and sound great on your next Zoom meeting. Organize and label everything in your life with stickers, magnets, and buttons from WayAround. Relax with our waterproof Bluetooth speaker, quarantine karaoke speaker and microphone, or our tiny SoundPods speaker. From a talking cell phone with buttons, to lightweight, bone conduction headsets, we’re sure you’ll find your next cool tech toy. Browse our online store at www.atguys.com, email questions to support@atguys.com, or call (269) 216-4798 📱️. Happy summer.


Greetings,


1) Envision Innovator Chat:

This webinar, on Friday, 19 June 2020 at 17:00 GMT will discuss the Envision app, the new upcoming Envision glasses, the ever-growing VIP community on YouTube, and much more! Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4015923853266/WN_cP_h8rxJQDufwVKqQy3faw

2) Free JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion Offer Extended Until August 31

People can get these Freedom Scientific Programs for free use because of the COVID-19 virus until the end of August 2020, and if you have been taking advantage of the offer, your license will be automatically extended by two months:
https://portal.freedomscientific.com/Account/Login

3) June 2020 Upgrades to Freedom Scientific Products

The three screen reader products from Freedom Scieitnfic have received their bi-monthly updates, and this Web Friendly Help post explains what is new:
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/new-features-in-jaws-zoomtext-and-fusion/

4) Making Narrator More Efficient

This appendix to the manual for Narrator explains how you can replace much of the screen reader's verbiage with sounds to make its use more efficient:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4521592/windows-10-appendix-e-narrator-sounds

5) BrailleNote Touch Plus Adds Scientific Calculator, Braille Study Modes and More

The latest upgrades to the BrailleNote Touch Plus add calculation and Braille learning support, as well as a one-hand mode:
http://support.humanware.com/en-usa/support/braillenote_touch/training_and_resources_section/training_and_resources/science_and_math

6) InsideOne Braille Tablet on Tek Talk

Learn about this unique Windows device with a 32-Cell Braille display and Perkins keyboard on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 23 June 2020 at 00:00:
https://zoom.us/j/839935813

7) Six-Hour Course on Zoom Available

The recording of the Hartgen Consultancy Zoom Course can now be purchased for 50 pounds, about $63.00:
http://www.hartgen.org/training

8) TTJ Announces Summer Schedule of Virtual Help Sessions

You can get help on your Apple products from a team of experts at no cost:
https://ttjtech.net/2020/06/12/ttj-announces-summer-schedule-of-virtual-help-sessions/

9) TTJ Is Now On YouTube

The Tech Juggernaut now has a YouTube presence:
https://ttjtech.net/2020/06/16/ttj-is-now-on-youtube/

10) New Phone Number for Listening to ACB Radio

This now venerable Internet radio station has some tech-related programming and lots of other content. Besides listening online and via smart digital assistants, you can call and listen, and the number has changed to (518) 906-1820 📱️.
http://acbradio.org

11) The Mind Behind the Mantis Q40

Read about Larry Skutchan's vision of this new Braille device and the path to its realization:
https://www.aph.org/the-mind-behind-the-mantis-q40/

12) New Self Paced Windows Basics Training Course Now Available from Commtech USA

This company now sells a $99 course on Windows 10:
https://commtechusa.net/new-self-paced-windows-basics-training-course-now-available-from-commtech-usa/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

13) Tidbits Poll Results: What does the acronym " AT " mean to you?

Last week we asked Tidbits subscribers, "When you come across the acronym " AT " in what order do the following 4 terms come to mind? Adaptive Technology, Assistive Technology, Accessible Technology, Access Technology. You said: (1) Assistive Technology (2) Access Technology (3) Accessible Technology (4) Adaptive Technology. You can still weigh in, or review the breakdown here:
https://poll.app.do/what-does-the-acronym-at-mean-to-you

14) Tidbits Poll: As a screen reader user, which of the following is more important to you?

Share your opinion with us on this, and future AT-related polls, on the Top Tech Tidbits website where you can weigh in and view results:
https://poll.app.do/screen-reader-user-speech-priority


Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:


Sponsor: John Panarese

Director, MacForTheBlind.com

➜ This Week's Classified Ad: It is a perfect time to start familiarizing yourself with your new Mac or iOS device! Why not contact John Panarese to receive top notch services!
https://www.macfortheblind.com

MacForTheBlind.com logo.

Authorized Apple Business Affiliate
Apple Certified Support Professional
Apple Certified Trainer
Assistive Technology Consultant

Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.macfortheblind.com/ 🌐
Email: john@macfortheblind.com 📧️

About: Macfortheblind.com is a place specifically for blind people who are either users or potential users of Macintosh computers or iOS devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, iPod Nano, Apple Watch and Apple TV. I am a blind individual who has used the Mac ever since VoiceOver became available in OS 10.4 Tiger, and I own an iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Book Pro laptop computer, an iPhone 6S, an iPad Air, an Apple Watch and an Apple TV 4th Generation. In addition, I am an Authorized Apple Business Affiliate, and as an Apple Certified Support Professional and an Apple Certified Trainer, I offer training and technical support for individuals, agencies and organizations on the mac and all iDevices, as well as offering assistive technology consulting.


Sponsor: A. T. Guys

➜ This Week's Classified Ad: Now accepting preorders! A T Guys is pleased to be taking orders for the Orbit Writer, the new, compact $99 Bluetooth Braille keyboard that works with your smartphone or computer via Bluetooth and USB. Also available for preorder is the upgraded Orbit Reader 20 Plus and the just-announced Orbit Reader 40 Braille displays, now with built-in translation, clock, calendar, and calculator. To learn more, visit the link below or call (269) 216-4798 📱️.
https://www.atguys.com/orbit

A. T. Guys logo.

Sponsor Since: June 11th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.atguys.com/ 🌐
Phone: (269) 216-4798 📱️
Email: support@atguys.com 📧️
Skype: atguys
Twitter: https://twitter.com/atguys (@atguys)
Facebook: https://facebook.com/atguys

About: ATGuys.com. Your access technology experts, home for cool gadgets, accessories, and more. Our products are all tested to work great for blind and visually impaired users but also work just as well for anyone. If there's an item you're looking for, or if you have a question, please don't hesitate to send us a message or call (269) 216-4798 📱️.


Sponsor: Dean Martineau

Editor, Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter

➜ This Week's Classified Ad: A Message More Important Than Technology. At this time, when America's history of racial oppression can not be swept under the rug, I can do little better than to point you to the post made on the Blind Bargains site. One person who commented on that post suggested serious study of the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. My wife Judi and I will soon begin conducting serious study groups of this book via Zoom. The book is available on Kindle, BARD and BookShare, and the study guide we'll be using is free online. There are sure to be lots of other books, and lots of other approaches to studying this one, but if you might be interested in being part of such a group, drop me a note at: topdot@gmail.com.
https://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=21973

Top Tech Tidbits logo.

Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/ 🌐

About: Dean Martineau is the Founder and a Contributing Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter.


Sponsor: Donna Jodhan

Author, Donna Jodhan Publications

➜ This Week's Classified Ad: Calling all culinary enthusiasts! Author Donna Jodhan has lots of recipes to share with you! From appetizers to entrees and desserts to soups and salads and lots more!
https://donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Author Donna Jodhan logo.

President, Sterling Creations
President, Barrier Free Canada / Canada sans Barrieres

Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: https://donnajodhan.com/ 🌐

About: My name is Donna J. Jodhan and I have been blind all my life, but that has not prevented me from living independently as someone who takes care of my own home and garden, travels regularly for my job, and runs my own business. I am an entrepreneur, blogger, author, audio mystery writer, advocate, podcaster, and law student. I enjoy cooking, ice skating, playing chess, composing on my electronic keyboard, and communicating with nature.


Sponsor: Barry Scheur

Director, GuideLightsAndGadgets.us

Photo of Barry Scheur of 'Gadgets' products and Kae of 'GuideLight' products sitting together smiling.

Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐
Phone: (617) 969-7500 📱️
Email: bscheur.gadgetsandtech@gmail.com 📧️

About: Our Scope of Products: We specialize in 3 lines of products, all intended to assist in access to adaptive electronics, enhance experiences for guide dog teams, and offer practical accessories for organization and travel. Then there are the random products that are included, just for fun! We work with our customers 1-on-1 to assure the proper selection of product to meet the individual's needs. What We Do: We bring our business to your conference or convention, to give each customer a chance for "hands on" evaluation of the products we carry. All products we sell, we have personally evaluated for accessibility and usability for people who are blind or visually impaired. In the case of products for guide and service dogs, our own three guides, Thor, Debra and Melody, are engaged in the process of evaluating the usefulness, durability, and/or fun of the product. We want each of our products to be useful, accessible, and, whenever possible, fun! Our inventory is constantly changing, so a visit to us is never the same experience twice!


Sponsors #6-12: Sponsorship Packages available.

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About: Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.


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