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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Volume 763
The Week's News in Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com/
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.
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Greetings,
1) Last of Us Part II: Is This The Most Accessible Game Ever?
A wide range of people can play this game, which has garnered a lot of positive press:
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53093613
2) What Is Compatibility Mode in Microsoft Office?
Have you ever wondered about this? Also, This is our first contribution from Dignited!
https://www.dignited.com/65011/compatibility-mode-microsoft-office/
3) 17 Cool Tricks Apple's Spotlight Feature Can Do
This concerns both Mac and iOS and comes from the Apple tips and Tricks section of Applenews.com:
https://tips.applenws.com/17-cool-tricks-apples-spotlight-feature-can-do/2019/idropnews?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost
4) I ditched Android for iPhone SE for a Month. Here's the Pros and Cons:
This Tom's guide writer elected to return to Android after trying the SE for a month. Read the full story:
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/iphone-se-month
5) Dolphin GuideConnect
This review in the July 2020 issue of The Braille Monitor explains the product and who should use it:
https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm20/bm2007/bm200712.htm
6) Mouse Assisting Inclusive Technology
This Braille Forum article discusses adaptive technology problem-solving and a solution offered by iOS 13:
https://acb.org/mouse-assisting-inclusive-technology
7) Accesibilidad Universal, Adaptive Technology Podcast from Spain
This podcast will focus largely on Apple products, but any adaptive technology is fair game:
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yNWVmYWQ3NC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
8) Markdown and Battery Optimization: Mosen At Large #48
This edition of the wide-ranging audience-participation podcast covers the above topics and more. A lot of us swear by Markdown!
https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/8/f/9/8f9190ddfd62bb9d/MALP0048_write_beautifully_formatted_documents_anywhere_with_markdown_and_how_does_the_Optimise_Battery_feature_on_your_iPhone_work.mp3?c_id=77790779&cs_id=77790779&destination_id=2151986&expiration=1594258819&hwt=e43f33aac1917b9101e289f50c5d5873
9) Bluetooth Keyboards and More, Mosen at Large #47
Among other topics, people share their views about Apple's apparent decision to stop including charging blocks with new phones:
https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/6/2/c/62cbec8006ddbc1e/malp0047_is_it_OK_for_people_to_use_the_word_blind_to_mean_something_other_than_the_absence_of_sight_would_you_buy_an_iPhone_without_a_charger_favourite_Bluetooth_keyboards_and_more.mp3?c_id=77471996&cs_id=77471996&destination_id=2151986&expiration=1594266207&hwt=7ec1b60c4925ef97b574cb60836a5f44
10) Technology Tips And More from New Vision at Goodwill
This newsletter features some adaptive technology podcasts we often mention, as well as lots of Alexa information and more:
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1102549354893&ca=668ce858-a0a0-47a8-9faa-4e5331bbedfc
11) Announcing AppleVis 2.0: The Second Decade Edition
AppleVis established itself as a valuable resource for Apple product users for those with visual impairments, and has maintained this position, not an easy achievement in today's world. Now they have a revamped website:
https://www.applevis.com/blog/announcing-applevis-20-second-decade-edition
12) Leveraging Accessibility to Connect People with The Technology They Nneed
This post is focused on useful, mostly Microsoft, technologies for life with social distancing:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/inclusive-remote-working-2/
13) Audio Tutorial on NVDA Configuration Profiles
You can easily play or download this recording:
https://thedabbler.co.za/tutorials-by-the-dabbler/nvda-configuration-profiles/
14) Tidbits Poll Results: Do you use more than one screen reader?
Last week we asked Tidbits subscribers, "Do you use more than one screen reader? If you do, please rank the following screen readers in order from most used (1) to least used (7):" So far 18 readers have weighed in giving us the following ranking for the most used screen readers by those that use more than one: #1: JAWS (Job Access With Speech) #2: VoiceOver (Apple OS) #3: NVDA (Nonvisual Desktop Access) #4: Narrator (Windows OS) #5: System Access or SA To Go #6: Chromevox #7: Zoomtext. You can still weigh in, or review the breakdown here:
https://poll.app.do/most-used-screen-readers
15) New Tidbits Poll: As an AT-user in search of the most accessible experience, are you more likely to use your computer or a mobile device to browse a website?
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/more-accessible-website-browse-computer-or-mobile-device
Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor:
American Printing House (APH)
➜ This Week's Classified Ad: Introducing the Mantis Q40TM from APH: a feature-loaded refreshable braille display designed with you in mind. This revolutionary Bluetooth® keyboard and 40-cell refreshable braille display connects to multiple host devices, and includes a basic editor, book reader, calculator, clock, and file manager for standalone productivity. For more information, visit:
https://www.aph.org/product/mantis-q40/.
Sponsor Since: July 2nd 2020 
Website: https://www.aph.org/ 🌐
Toll Free and Customer Support: (800) 223-1839 📱️
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Fax: (512) 899-2284 📱️
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/WENRlCNDsxQ
About: Since 1858, the American Printing House for the Blind has operated in Louisville, Kentucky as the world's largest nonprofit organization, creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired. APH believes that the future belongs to everyone. By offering innovative products and services, APH opens up a door of opportunities for lifelong independence and success.
Author, Donna Jodhan Publications
➜ This Week's Classified Ad: Donna Jodhan! Much more than a mysteries event host! She is delighted to share her CCB Mysteries chapter news with you! A unique way to collaborate with others to host mysteries events and to use fund raised to send kids with disabilities to all kinds of exciting camps!
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President, Sterling Creations
President, Barrier Free Canada / Canada sans Barrieres
Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020
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.
Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us
➜ This Week's Classified Ad: GuideLights And Gadgets invites you to: Listen, Learn, and Buy from our selection of leather, electronics, and doggy products. Our Orbit Writer Braille Keyboard Bundle Sale Starts Now; Get the Braille keyboard, the sheath, our hands free leather neck pouch, and free shipping All For $120. Read about our 2020 Inventory Reduction Act with 18 convention specials at: http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us. Listen on ACB Radio for our 5 different exhibit presentations. For more info: Call Barry: (617) 969-7500 📱️, or Kae: (781) 286-1696 📱️. Let Us Help Find Just The Right Products For You!
Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020
Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐
For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at:
Phone: (617) 969-7500 📱️
Email: bscheur.gadgetsandtech@gmail.com 📧️
For All Things Dog Contact Kae at:
Phone: (781) 286-1696 📱️
Email: guidelightdogs@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 solutions for organization and travel with a variety of leather bags, pouches, and backpacks. Then there are the random products that are included, just for fun! We enjoy working with our customers 1-on-1 to their money is well spent and not wasted on something they may not use.
In thinking about our customers and whether we will carry a product our guiding motto is that it must be: practical, affordable, simple, tested, and accessible (the pasta principle) and it seems to work very well.
What We Do: We bring our business either via zoom, phone, or to your conference or convention, to give each customer a chance for questions and where possible, "hands on" evaluation of the merchandise. Kae and I test and use each product as blind users before we put it in our catalog. 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, afforable, and, whenever possible, fun! Our inventory is constantly changing, so a visit to us is never the same experience twice!
Director, MacForTheBlind.com
➜ This Week's Classified Ad: World-renowned Apple Trainer and Consultant John Panarese will be launching his series of courses on iOS for the blind any day now! Don't miss out! Space is limited! To sign up or register visit:
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Authorized Apple Business Affiliate
Apple Certified Support Professional
Apple Certified Trainer
Assistive Technology Consultant
Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020
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.
➜ 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
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Website: https://www.atguys.com/ 🌐
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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 📱️.
Editor, Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter
➜ This Week's Classified Ad: Summer Special: Four training sessions for the price of five, $100: Windows, J-Say, iOS, many applications. Write to me and we can evaluate how well we can work together:
topdot@gmail.com
Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020
Website: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/ 🌐
About: Dean Martineau is the Founder and a Contributing Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter.
Website: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsorship-information.html 🌐
About: Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.
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