Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Volume 820The Week's News in Adaptive Technology A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology. This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Package Available! Please Join Us In Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of this Publication. Join These 11 Industry Leaders and Begin Reaching Over 6,700 Assistive Technology Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts Each Week!
You can secure our last available package today for just $325.00 USD for the next 3 months, or save $100.00 USD and join us for the year. All Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis. Please help us support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Consider showing your support for the world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology, while enjoying some really incredible marketing benefits: Dear Tidbits Subscriber,1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last WeekA.) Why Siri, Alexa, & Every Other AI Voice Has Been Feminine: (5.8% of all clicks.)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBlPxpaum6U B.) How I Think Smart Watches Are Way More Useful Than You May Think: (5.6% of all clicks.) https://accessibility-insights.com/2016/11/01/how-i-think-watches-are-way-more-useful-than-many-think/ C.) How To Access Images Without Alt Text | Recognizing Images With Seeing AI: (XX% of all clicks.) https://veroniiiica.com/2021/08/02/how-to-access-images-without-alt-text/ D.) Use JAWS Find in Word and Outlook: (4.9% of all clicks.) http://www.hartgen.org/tips E.) An Overview of Microsoft OneNote for Windows 10: (3.4% of all clicks.) https://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=22112 2) Top Tech Tidbits "Most Clicked Tidbit" Weekly Contest | $250 USD Annual Cash Prize | Week #33 of 52Number of Votes Last Week: 13 | Number of Winners Last Week: 1 | Winner Names: Paul Ferrara | Current Overall Winner: Maya with 2 of 52 points. | Current 2nd Place Winners: 16 Players with 1 of 52 points each. | How well do you know adaptive technology? Do you think that you could consistently identify adaptive technology trends if given the opportunity? Well here's your chance. You can now cast your vote each week for the one Tidbit that you believe will receive the most clicks. Get it right more than anyone else each week and you win a $250.00 USD cash prize at the end of the year (December 31st 2021). In addition, there may be opportunities for winners to join our editorial team. The premise is simple and voting is easy. Can you pick the one Tidbit out of each issue that will get the most clicks? If you think you can, or at least would like to try, learn everything there is to know about the contest here and start casting your vote today:Learn More:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/36.html Vote Now:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/vote Leaderboard: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/most-clicked-tidbit-contest-hall-of-fame.html 3) One Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Package Currrently AvailablePlease join us in supporting the ongoing distribution of this publication. Join 11 other industry leaders and begin reaching over 6,700 assistive technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts each week. All while enjoying some really incredible marketing benefits. If this sounds like you, please reach out to our publisher today at: publisher@toptechtidbits.com ✉. Or learn more at:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsorship-information.html. 4) Chromebook Accessibility Part 2: Browsing with Chromevox | Nimer Tech and Outdoor Adventures YouTube ChannelNimer demonstrates web browsing with Chromevox screen readers, and makes comparisons to other screen readers on the market. Happy Chinese Valentine's Day, and happy birthday to my friend Robert from Zimbabwe:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c_A3iR6WK0 5) What Is Google's Auditorial Experiment?Auditorial is an experiment in storytelling that's redesigning the internet for those with visual disabilities. Here's everything you need to know:https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-auditorial/ 6) Social Media Accessibility Tips & Tricks: FacebookWhether sharing a new photo, commenting on current affairs, uploading a funny video, or promoting your business's newest venture, social media remains relevant because people want to make connections. However, these connections aren't always possible if social media platforms aren't accessible. The Where It's AT Blog team has put together some of the latest accessibility features social media platforms have been producing to make their communities more accessible to all. Using these Facebook accessibility tips and tricks, you can feel confident in your ability to connect with your community:https://abilitytools.org/blog/social-media-accessibility-tips-tricks-facebook/ 7) FlickType Discontinuing Its iPhone Keyboard App Due to App Store HurdlesFlickType has announced it's discontinuing its iPhone keyboard app for blind users after Apple didn't approve its latest update and failed to reply back to the developer:https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/16/flicktype-discontinuing-iphone-keyboard-app-due-to-app-store-hurdles/ 8) How to Get AR Walking Directions in iOS 15In iOS 15, Apple's Maps app benefits from a range of new features and improvements, including the ability to use augmented reality walking directions in big cities:https://coolblindtech.com/how-to-get-ar-walking-directions-in-ios-15/ 9) Freedom Scientific Announces ONYX® PROFreedom Scientific announces its newest member of the ONYX® Family of products. The ONYX PRO is a camera system with OCR and is designed to be used with the Microsoft® Surface Pro 7 (Microsoft Surface Pro 7 not included). It features a dual camera design for flexibility, one camera allows you to easily go from near magnification to distance viewing. The other camera is dedicated to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) mode that scans printed text and reads it back to you in a clear and natural voice:https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/lowvision/onyx-pro/ 10) New Website Resource "Screenless Allies"This reader writes in to tell us, "This website aims to bring articles on many kinds of how-to's on things like assistive technology and basic life skills for the blind. These are all written from a blindness perspective. Think of this as the "How-to-Geek" for the blind, due to the variety and style of articles we have. I, Jose, and another friend of mine are the two runners of this website. I also have a podcast named "Teachavision," where we cover the teaching aspect of blindness. That is, I talk to teachers of the visually impaired, and plan to branch out to other disabilities in the future. Please feel free to reply with any questions you may have, and I'll be happy to answer them. Sincerely, Jose Briseno. Check out the site at:https://screenlessallies.com/ 11) Word Advanced Find - All The Special CodesWord's Advanced Find has many special codes to help locate or replace hidden or unusual things in a Word document. Here's a complete and searchable list of all the ^ codes and what they are for:https://office-watch.com/2021/word-advanced-find-all-the-special-codes/ 12) Netflix Now Rolling Out Spatial Audio Support on iPhone and iPadThis is a boon for Airpods Pro and Airpods Max users:https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/18/netflix-spatial-audio-support-roll-out/ 13) Braille Screen Input, Any pointers?A good compendium of knowledge about this valuable iOS feature in this forum post:https://www.applevis.com/forum/braille-apple-products/braille-screen-input-any-pointers 14) Windows Update Breaks Alt+TabAlt+Tab isn't the best way to switch among open programs, but it is the most commmonly used among blind users, and this update has broken it. Fortunately, the fix isn't too difficult:https://www.windowslatest.com/2021/08/17/windows-10-kb5005033-is-causing-new-issues-for-some-users/ 15) Parallel #57: Web Accessibility Testing on MobileHow to use mobile tools to test the accessibility of Websites in iOS:https://www.relay.fm/parallel/57 16) Microsoft Edge Gets a New Accessibility Page in SettingsThe Accessibility section in Microsoft Edge Canary lets you adjust the page zoom, enable or disable mini menus, turn on navigation with the keyboard, find a link to accessibility settings in Windows, etc. As it often happens, Microsoft uses the new section to promote its own services; for example, some users report seeing prompts to set Bing as the default search engine:https://winaero.com/microsoft-edge-gets-a-new-accessibility-page-in-settings/ 17) Thunderbird 91 ReleasedA new version of the popular Thunderbird app is available for download. The open source mail and RSS reader has reached version 91, aligning the release number to Firefox. The new version comes with a bunch of changes. There are an Improved Set-Up Wizard, Better Calendar Support, and multi-process implementation that could result in performance improvements:https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/ 18) Google Testing Accessibility Feature That Will Allow Disabled Users To Control Android Phone Features With Smiles, Raised Eyebrows And Other Facial GesturesGoogle is testing a new accessibility feature on Android phones that allows users to control functions by using facial gestures instead of touching its screen:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9898219/Google-testing-accessibility-feature-let-Android-users-control-features-smile.html 19) Are Your Emojis Accessible?Did you know that Emoticons are not Emojis? And that you should avoid emoticons, whenever possible? When a screen reader encounters an emoticon, it has difficulty understanding and conveying the meaning behind the series of text characters. Rather, use emojis, as when a screen reader encounters an emoji, it reads the assigned meaning of the emoji to the person using the screen reader:https://at3centerblog.com/2021/08/04/are-your-emojis-accessible/ ➜ Press Releases and Other News1) Augmented Reality Is Coming for Your Ears, TooNew software applications are cleverly mapping audio to transport users to another space:https://www.wired.com/story/augmented-reality-already-arrived-in-our-ears/ 2) Pioneering Program for Visually Impaired Babies Turns 40When it comes to working with visually impaired infants and their parents, few are as experienced, skillful and knowledgeable as Elizabeth Dennison:https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah/articles/2021-08-15/pioneering-program-for-visually-impaired-babies-turns-40 3) California Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert on Hearing Aids Sold Online or Over-the-CounterCalifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert warning Californians to exercise caution when purchasing direct-to-consumer hearing products, such as hearing aids, over-the-counter or online:https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2021/consumer-warning-otc-hearing-aids-california/ 4) Bose Launches Direct to Consumer Hearing Aids NationwideBose announced this week that it is expanding availability of its SoundControlTM hearing aids across the United States. Until now, the devices had only been available to residents in a limited number of states: Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The devices will come with a 90-day, risk-free trial, dedicated product support, and will be sold directly from Bose for $849.95 a pair:https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2021/bose-launches-hearing-aids-nationally/ ➜ Featured Podcast Episodes1) Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther Episode 31: Climbing Mountains Blind One Finger at a Time (Part 1 of 2)August 6th 2021 | Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther is pleased to have Erik Weihenmayer as our featured guest. In the first of this two-part interview, Erik shares with us the many challenges he's experienced in his pursuit of summitting the tallest mountains in the world blind. His strategies and use of basic technologies provide valuable lessons that can be applied in most any challenging situation. So strap on your cleats and let's learn what it takes to climb Everest one finger at a time:https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-31-climbing-mountains-blind-one-finger-at-a/id1530444764?i=1000531221950 2) Blind Android Users 36 | Getting To Your Destination with a GPS App and SunuBand to Help Detect ObstaclesAugust 14th 2021 | In this episode we talk about, Samsung Unpack 2021 event, our thoughts. What is new in Android 12 Beta 4. In the must have apps segment we talk about our used GPS apps. For spotlight segment we have interview with CEO of Sunu. For app of the week, we demo Audible Vision OCR app. In our talkback tip of the week, we explore talkback on a device with multi finger gesture support vs on a device without multi finger gesture support:https://tinyurl.com/hcwjpa5w 3) Mosen At Large 143August 14th 2021 Thoughts on what it means to be blind, calendar apps for iPhone and has Apple lost its moral authority on privacy?:https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/a6ab4eef/thoughts-on-what-it-means-to-be-blind-calendar-apps-for-iphone-and-has-apple-lost-its-moral-authority-on-privacy- 4) Eyes on Success 2134 Navigating Indoors with the Clew AppAugust 18th 2021Most navigation apps rely on GPS and work well outdoors. Unfortunately, such apps are not suitable for indoor use. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Paul Ruvolo about the Clew app he developed which overcomes this limitation by making use of Apple's AR Kit and the phone's camera in order to guide users from point to point indoors: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%202134.htm 5) That Real Blind Tech Show 48 | Getting To Know Underdog Fantasy and Best BallIt's the Rage With All the Kids These DaysAugust 18th 2021Demo Month continues as Brian walks you through another fully accessible Fantasy Football game. This time he is doing a demo of the fantastic fully new accessible Underdog Fantasy. Underdog Fantasy offers Best Ball contests along with weekly one day daily contests where you can draft a new team each week: https://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-48-getting-to-know-underdog-fantasy-and-best-ballits-the-rage-with-all-the-kids-these-days ➜ Featured Webinars and Training Courses1) Updated Braille Blaster from APHAugust 20th 2021 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT | Register here:https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nLoRNn-WSR-6pgDgGhhuVQ 2) Tech for Teens Club: LEGO Stop-Motion Videos from PACERAugust 21st 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, XXX GMT | Using just a mobile phone and LEGO brand toys, we'll be learning how to create stop-motion style videos that you can share with your family and friends. Learn the techniques to create smooth animation using the Stop Motion Studio app (iPhone & Android). Then create your own stories and bring your characters to life!https://www.pacer.org/workshops/ 3) Speech recognition for communication impairments from CallScotlandAugust 25th 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT | Project Euphonia is a Google Research initiative focused on helping people with atypical speech be better understood. The approach is centred on analysing speech recordings to better train speech recognition models. The aim is for people living with dysarthria or other speech difficulties to be better understood by speech recognition technology such as Google Assistant. In this webinar, Richard will discuss the Euphonia project and how people living with speech impairment can participate. With the forecast being that by 2024, there will be more devices that can interact with voice than the global population, it is vitally important that everyone is included in the development of the technology behind speech recognition:https://www.callscotland.org.uk/professional-learning/webinars/WEB194/ 4) iBUG Introductory Mac Training CourseSeptember 7th 2021 This 12-week course is free, and you are expected to work, attend and participate. It starts Tuesday, September 7th 2021. Email by August 27th 2021 to see the requirements you have to adhere to, and provide the model or year of your Mac:chanellem.allen@gmail.com ✉ 5) 2021 M-Enabling Summit - Promoting Accessible Technologies and EnvironmentsOctober 4th - 6th 2021 | The M-Enabling Summit Conference and Showcase is dedicated to promoting digital environments and assistive technologies for senior citizens and users of all abilities. It is an annual meeting place for all who implement digital inclusion strategies or develop assistive solutions and accessible digital contents and services for workplaces, learning environments or consumer markets:https://m-enabling.com/ 6) Sense-Ability. Using the BrailleSense 6! | Paid Course | Hartgen ConsultingOctober 6th 2021 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6 GMT | While the BrailleSense 6 is a relatively new product, largely due to previous devices offered by its manufacturers it has already established itself as a power house for work and entertainment. Find out how it works in a way which makes Braille Sense!http://hartgen.org/braillesense 7) Accessing Higher Ground Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference by Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)November 15th - 19th 2021 | Presented and hosted by AHEAD, Accessing Higher Ground is conducted in collaboration with ATHEN:https://accessinghigherground.org/ 8) 2nd Annual Sight Tech Global 2021December 1st & 2nd 2021 | 100% free. 100% virtual. Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility. Registration is now open:https://sighttechglobal.com/ ➜ Directories1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directoryhttps://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directoryhttps://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directoryhttps://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html➜ Buy, Sell or Trade1) FOR SALE: One Focus 14 Braille DisplayListing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $850.00 USD | Condition: Gently Used. | Description: This Braille display was only used during a couple of training sessions. Carrying case and all adaptors/charger included. | Contact: Email jflower418@gmail.com ✉ or call Jane at (415) 858-8436 ☎. |2) FOR SALE: Mathcaster for Amazon Alexa. Just Say "Alexa, Open Mathcaster"Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $1.00 USD | Condition: New. | Description: Mathcaster is suitable for ages between 8-12 and is free to play. This Alexa Skill is a perfect resource to help children improve and develop their math skills. Learn more at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094NDXMKF?ref&ref=cm_sw_tw_r_as_dp_KypaG8Iu9kJBy. | Contact: Email nicksawka@wanderword.net ✉ or call Nicholas at (724) 466-2087 ☎. |3) FOR SALE: Escape from 63rd & Wallace. Just say "Alexa, Open Escape 63rd"Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $4.00 USD | Condition: New. | Description: Escape from 63rd is an horror audio adventure that takes the listener on a journey to Chicago in 1893, following Charlene, a young woman searching for her sister. Learn more at: https://poptale.com/releases/escape-from-63rd-and-wallace/. | Contact: Email nicksawka@wanderword.net ✉ or call Nicholas at (724) 466-2087 ☎. |4) FOR SALE: The Cursed Painting Audio RPG. Just say "Alexa, open the Cursed Painting"Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $1.00 USD | Condition: New. | Description: Explore ancient ruins in order to uncover the secret of the Cursed Painting, and stop the undead curse plaguing the kingdom in this Interactive Fantasy Adventure Game, inspired by classic tabletop RPG's. Learn more at: https://poptale.com/releases/the-cursed-painting/. | Contact: Email nicksawka@wanderword.net ✉ or call Nicholas at (724) 466-2087 ☎. |5) FOR SALE: One BrailleSense Polaris MiniListing Date: 8/5/2021 | Price: $2,000.00 USD | Condition: Gently Used. | Description: This 20-cell Android notetaker is in mint condition and needs a new forever home. Has new mother board, all original packaging, accessories and documentation including braille quick start guide along with an Executive Products case. | Contact: Email dave@speedyturtle.net ✉ or call Dave at (918) 527-0688 ☎. |2) FOR SALE: One Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Ad (Just like this one.)Price: $5.00 USD | Description: List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. | Buy an Ad: Fill out this short 10-step form ✔ to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today. | Learn more at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html 🌐 |Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter➜ VisionAware Resources Including the Directory of Services
APHConnectCenter has resources to help blind and low vision people thrive. In addition to the Reader's Digest Getting Started with Vision Loss Guide You can also check out the Directory of Services to locate resources in your community for living with blindness and low vision. https://visionaware.org/
Sponsor Since: March 4th 2021 Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐 Email: connectcenter@aph.org ✉ APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line: Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives. Sponsor: Humanware➜ BRAILLIANT Renewed! The NEW Brailliant BI X Series is here!
The wait is over! A redefined family of Brailliant refreshable Braille displays has arrived! The NEW Brailliant BI X Series will help you stay connected, download books from many participating online libraries and share information easily with your peers. You will enjoy the intuitive, seamless user experience of KeySoft Lite, the HumanWare flagship accessibility suite designed to make you more productive. Including the Brailliant BI 40X and the Brailliant BI 20X, this is the Brailliant idea you need!
http://www.humanware.ca/web/en/newsletter/081920211100-BrailliantBIX-Launch-US.htm Sponsor Since: February 4th 2021 Website: http://humanware.com/ 🌐 Phone (Asia): +61 2 9686 2600 ☎ YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWVYiggn-w 🎥 About: HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technology for people who are blind or have low vision. HumanWare offers a wide range of innovative products, including the BrailleNote Touch, first Google certified braille tablet, the iOS compatible Brailliant braille displays, Victor Reader®, the world's leading family of digital audiobook players, the unique Prodigi® family of desktop and portable vision and reading systems, and the ultra-portable explore line of electronic handheld magnifier. Sponsor: Be My Eyes➜ Accessible Pharmacy Joins Be My Eyes
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. Sponsor: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
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