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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 3, 2020 - Volume 784The Week's News in Access Technologyhttps://toptechtidbits.com/ A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology. This Week's Featured Advertisement: A. T. Guys Cyber Week Sale Continues through Sunday, our Biggest Sale of the Year
Our biggest sale of the year is happening now, with deals on a wide variety of tech and gadgets. Save up to $35 on Aftershokz bone conduction headsets, including the brand new OpenMove for only $79.95 or the high-end Aeropex for $124.95. Save $50 on the Humanware Victor Reader Trek, now upgraded with a brand-new GPS engine and new maps. Save on Bluetooth speakers, noise canceling headsets, keyboards, and more. Plus, check out the brand new Tribit StormBox Pro, a portable, 40-watt, Bluetooth speaker with amazing sound for under $100. Don't forget the Orbit Reader 20 Plus braille display and the Orbit Writer braille keyboard, along with our exclusive, customized, Snap-On case which lets you use your unit while inside the case. Check out our new travel chargers, USBC hubs, WayAround tags, and more. Visit https://www.atguys.com for all of the latest gadgets. Select the Holiday Sale link to see our latest specials. Sales end December 6 or while supplies last. All of us wish you and yours the happiest of holidays. Dear Tidbits Subscriber,1) Last Week's Most Clicked Tidbit (10.0% of all clicks.)A Full List of Alexa Voice Commands You Can Use:https://www.businessinsider.com/alexa-voice-commands 2) NVDACon Coming UpNot a lot of news this week but NVDACon looms large. The annual convention is well-stocked with information for the beginning and advanced NVDA user. Read a lot about it in this week's In-Process:https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-2nd-december-2020/ And view the whole weekend schedule in your time zone: https://www.nvdacon.org/2019-program-and-schedule 3) Review of Unleash Your Inner PodcastThis reviewer finds Jonathan Mosen's course on podcast creation still quite relevant:https://joeorozco.com/review-of-unleash-your-inner-podcast/ 4) Recordings from Sight Tech GlobalThe vast Sight Tech Global Conference will be in its second day when this newsletter appears, but many recordings of presentations are available and 3 December still has a lot to offer:https://sighttechglobal.com/agenda/?status=all&stage=all&date=12-03 5) Use Voice Control on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod TouchVoice Control works with VoiceOver now, and could be an excellent resource for a lot of users, especially some who have difficulty using the touch screen:https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210417?cid=tw_sc_Accessibility_113020 6) Introducing Accessidroid.com Your Premier One Stop Shop for Android AccessibilityAndroid has lacked a comprehensive resource like AppleVis where new users can learn and veteran users can share insights. Commtech, a for-profit company, is trying to fill that need:https://blindbargains.com/classifieds.php?m=5142 7) AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for November 2020Speaking of AppleVis, we can always count on the monthly summary of what's new and interesting throughout Apple accessibility:https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-and-noteworthy-november-2020 8) Now You Can View Office Documents On iOS Devices For FreeThis could benefit many people:https://www.gizchina.com/2020/11/27/now-you-can-view-office-documents-on-ios-devices-for-free/ 9) Tech Talk: Holiday Gift Guide 2020This week's first Holiday Gift Guide comes from RNIB Tech Talk:https://audioboom.com/posts/7735508-tech-talk-holiday-gift-guide-2020 10) The 2020 Blind Bargains Holiday Shopping GuideThis is Episode #219 of the Blind Bargains Qast:https://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=22044 11) How to use iPhone Back Tap Custom Controls in iOS 14In case you haven't availed yourself of this iOS14 enhancement, 9to5Mac tells you how and why you may wish to do so:https://9to5mac.com/2020/09/17/how-to-use-iphone-back-tap-controls-ios-14/ 12) David Woodbridge's BlogHere you can find tech demos and how-to articles from Australia:https://shop.visionaustralia.org/david-woodbridge-s 13) National Homework Hotline for Blind and/or Visually Impaired StudentsThis 'Hotline' is actually a 'Google Form' but other than that the NHH-BVI reports that it is a free service for K-12 and college students in the United States. NHH-BVI responders are experienced TVIs, tutors, mentors, STEM professionals, and college students who are eager to assist blind/visually impaired students. Areas of support include: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver for MacOS and iOS devices, Nemeth and literary braille, Cranmer abacus, Refreshable braille displays, Braille notetakers, Core subject, tutoring (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies), and Talking Scientific Calculators. To request assistance, complete this Help Request Form, and a Hotline Responder will contact you:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vo9Fq92UNY7iUDrNF7ezRRKyZYb9hPp6qnrY149T3Eg/edit 14) What Will Tomorrow's Tech Look Like? Ask Someone Who Can't SeeIn line with the Sight Tech Global Conference currently underway Will Butler of Be My Eyes explains what "Sight Tech" is and how far it has come, what's 'next' for the screenreader, and how we may, one day soon, achieve near perfect mobility:https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/25/what-will-tomorrows-tech-look-like-ask-someone-who-cant-see/ 15) Meet The Blindness Consultant Ensuring Apple TV Plus Show 'See' Respects AccessibilityAbout midway through the first season of the Apple TV Plus show See, several characters on a raft need to share a message without alerting others around them. Normally, people would pass a written note, gesture with their hands, shoot messages with their eyes, or soundlessly mouth instructions. But in the world of See, where all characters are blind, communicating without making a sound can be tricky.https://www.cnet.com/news/meet-the-blindness-consultant-ensuring-apple-tv-plus-show-see-respects-accessibility/ 16) Top Tech Tidbits Buy, Sell or TradeWe have four products for sale this week. Review them below or on the Tidbits website at:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html#listings Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:Sponsor: Sprint IP Relay➜ This Week's Classified Ad:One challenge someone with a combined vision and hearing loss must address is accessing the phone system without adequate vision or hearing. Individuals with no hearing but vision can access the phone system using a videophone. Those with no vision, but who have hearing can use the phone as it was intended. How would someone with vision and hearing loss continue to call doctors, contact emergency services such as 911, arrange for medical appointments, contact businesses, or friends and family who do not text? One solution, for those living in the U.S. with a form of hearing loss, is Sprint IP Relay. Come learn more at our webinars, specialized for the DeafBlind community. 11/10 at 10 AM EST, 11/12 at 4:30 PM EST, 11/17 at 1:00 PM EST, or 11/19 at 1:00 PM EST. RSVP by November 6th 2020 to deafblind@sprint.com. CART and ASL interpretation will be provided.
Sponsor Since: October 22nd 2020 Website: https://www.sprintip.com/ 🌐 Email: scott.davert@t-mobile.com 📧️ Download The App (iOS): Download The App (Android): Accessibility Customer Care: (800) 676-3777 📱️ About: Sprint IP Relay allows people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or with a Speech Disability to make or receive phone calls using an internet connection, a computer, tablet or smartphone. Simply type what you want to say to the operator, the operator relays the message to the person you called and then types the caller's response back to you. This process is all done through text, so a user with a braille display, for example, would not need to see the screen or use their voice to communicate with the hearing caller. The Sprint IP Relay service is available at no charge for those who are eligible. Registration is required to verify an individual's identity and residency. If you are a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or have a speech disability, you will qualify to register for the Sprint IP Relay Service. The user can call anyone at any time within the United States and its territories. Email scott.davert@t-mobile.com with any questions. Sponsor: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Featured Products: Revolution Cane Tip: Standard Roller Tip: $14.50 | Locator Dots: Small Pack of 6 (Clear or Orange): $2.00 | NFB Metal Cane Tip: $3.00 | TMAP - On Demand Tactile Street | Map (set of two maps): $25.00 | Ambutech Aluminum Folding Cane: $35.00 | NFB Chris Park Telescoping Cane: $45.00 | BoldWriter 20 Pen (Individual or 6-pack): $2.00 | Bump Dots: Mixed (50 count): $7.00 | Braille Apple Catalina VoiceOver Guide OSX 10.15 (3 volumes) - Latest Manual: $52.00 | SpeedDots iPhone Tactile Screen Protector, Phone Layout: $12.00 | NFB Chris Park 7-Piece Folding Cane: $50.00 | Visit https://adaptations.org/ to learn more today!
Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020 Website: https://adaptations.org/ 🌐 Toll Free: (888) 400-8933 📱️ Local: (415) 694-7301 📱️ About: Founded in 1902, San Francisco's LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired promotes the independence, equality and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. Adaptations is your online go-to for tools, technology, and accessible solutions for blind and visually impaired people. Sponsor: American Printing House (APH)➜ This Week's Classified Ad:APH's Braille Trail Reader LE refreshable braille display will start your students' braille journey with a positive technology experience that allows them to discover the joys of reading and writing. This 14-cell braille display features a Windows app for easy file transfer between teachers and students. Also perfect for the working adult: users can take notes, and create, edit and read text and braille files. Learn more at https://www.aph.org/product/braille-trail-reader-le/.
Website: https://www.aph.org/ 🌐 Toll Free and Customer Support: (800) 223-1839 📱️ Phone: (512) 895-2405 📱️ Fax: (512) 899-2284 ░ YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/WENRlCNDsxQ 🎥 Free Apps & Actions from APH: https://www.aph.org/free-apps-from-aph/ 📱 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. Sponsor: GuideLights and Gadgets➜ This Week's Classified Ad:GuideLights And Gadgets: Great Buys and Service! Mystery Gadget and Doggie bags. We Double the value for either our $25 or $50 gadgets-leather or "all-things-dog" grab bags. NEW! Leather Orbit Writer case; Braille on the go; $30.00, also part of bundle. Orbit Writer Bundle with hands free pouch, tutorial, case; $150 incl. shipping. Non-Contact Talking Infrared Thermometer; Best one in 15 years; $55 w/shipping. New! Portable Daisy Player with Internet Radio, Podcatcher, timer, lots more; Ivona Joey and Sally voices, Mystic Access tutorial, 128 GB SD card; $225; available NOW. For this and more, CALL Barry: (617) 969-7500 📱️; bscheur@scheur.com 📧️Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us
Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020 Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐 For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at: For All Things Dog Contact Kae at: 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! Sponsor: A. T. Guys➜ This Week's Classified Ad:If you're like me, you probably have more things to plug into your computer than available ports. That's why we've now added the Plugable USBC 7-in-1 Hub. Plug it into your laptop and you will get 3 USB ports, SD and Micro SD card slots, a USBC charging port, and an HDMI video port. It's available now for just $29.95:https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28&products_id=331
Sponsor Since: June 11th 2020 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: John Panarese➜ This Week's Classified Ad:World renowned Apple trainer and consultant John Panarese is offering some thing very special for the holidays! Gift certificates that you can give to persons of all ages who have a disability! Help John to bring some very exciting holiday cheer to homes that are in need of special gifts! To purchase your special gift certificate visit https://donorbox.org/macfortheblind.
Director, https://www.MacForTheBlind.com Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Website: https://www.macfortheblind.com/ 🌐 Donate Course Time: https://donorbox.org/macfortheblind ❤ 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: Donna Jodhan➜ This Week's Classified Ad:This holiday season, give the gift of education to families of parents and children with a disability! We need to help them cope with Covid challenges! Donna Jodhan is a well known coach and tutor to persons with disabilities! She is an Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) and continues to mentor families in need of extra tutoring! Visit her at https://donorbox.org/author-donna-jodhan. Your donations will be used to help families with parents and children with disabilities to receive personalized training on Macs and iOS devices.
Author, Donna Jodhan Publications Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Website: https://donnajodhan.com/ 🌐 Donate: https://donorbox.org/author-donna-jodhan ❤ 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: Dean Martineau➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Would you like to learn to control your computer with your voice, or to create documents using your voice rather than the keyboard? There are several tools to accomplish these objectives. I can provide training in their use. Write to me at topdot@gmail.com if interested.Editor, Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter
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. Sponsor: Be My Eyes➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Accessible Pharmacy, the new, home delivery pharmacy with a blind founder, is bringing its full range of support and services to Be My Eyes. Users of the Be My Eyes app can now call Accessible Pharmacy directly to get support with medication, medical devices, and even home delivery COVID testing. With a fully trained and discreet pharmacy staff on call from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Pacific, Accessible Pharmacy is the new way for blind and low vision consumers to get an easy, frictionless pharmacy experience. Call today — and you'll never have to take an Uber to the drugstore again. https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/accessible-pharmacy-joins-be-my-eyes.Lead Contact: Will Butler, VP of Community
Sponsor Since: November 5th 2020 Website: https://www.bemyeyes.com/ 🌐 Download The App (iOS): Download The App (Android): About: Be My Eyes is a free mobile app that allows anyone who needs video support to get assistance from a dynamic range of volunteers and company customer support professionals from around the world. With more than 4 million volunteers and dozens of companies offering on-demand visual interpretation and support, Be My Eyes is a free, unlimited way to bridge gaps and get access to whatever information you need — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in any language. Download the app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Your Name Here
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