Apple Watch & iPhone Issues

In this episode focusing on the best of YouTube from this week, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, discuss a range of topics related to technology and accessibility. We kick off with Steven's conversation with Susannah Aday from Mira Showers UK about their new Mira Select Flex Shower, designed with accessibility in mind and in partnership with RNIB. The shower features inclusively designed attributes, such as high contrast controls for temperature and flow, a push button start/stop, and easy-adjust fittings, making it accessible for all, including those with visual impairments. Steven also speaks with Robin Spinks, head of inclusive design at RNIB, who elaborates on the partnership with Mira Showers and the importance of inclusive design in product development. (Starts at 13 seconds) Next up is the topic of traveling as a person who is blind. Steven and Shaun share their personal experiences and the challenges they face with short distances compared to longer journeys. They highlight the importance of assistance services in making travel more accessible but also acknowledge the mental exhaustion and anxiety that can accompany traveling when visually impaired. (Starts at 18 minutes 39 seconds) And finally, the guys delve into the topic of technology aimed at replacing traditional mobility aids like white canes and guide dogs. They express skepticism about the effectiveness and necessity of such technologies, stressing the importance of consulting the visually impaired community before developing new products. They invite listeners to share their thoughts on what technology or gadgets would genuinely benefit them in terms of navigation and mobility (Starts at 38 minutes 42 seconds) Get ahead of the conversation and check out the Double Tap YouTube channel every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the platform which you can find using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@DoubleTapVideo

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the world of accessible technology with their usual banter. Grace Scoffield joins them to discuss the latest in Double Tap News, with news on AI advancements from Microsoft's Ability Summit, and what’s coming up at the California State University Assistive Technology Conference (CSUN), where attendees can expect to hear from a variety of speakers, including deaf-blind attorney Haben Girma. Plus, HumanWare's updates to their devices, including the Brailliant and Mantis Braille displays, are also covered. Plus the guys cover a range of topics in your emails. Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In the latest episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a variety of topics, starting with Steven sharing his latest low-tech acquisition – a Braille calendar and his talking clock - which Shaun doesn’t seem very inspired by. They also continue what is now their daily wander into the world of artificial intelligence, specifically focusing on Microsoft's Copilot. Steven and Shaun express their skepticism and hopes for AI, discussing its potential to enhance accessibility but also acknowledging its current limitations. They also touch upon the surprising discontinuation of Android apps on Windows, expressing disappointment and speculation about the reasons behind the decision. Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In this episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a lively discussion covering a range of topics, including the latest on the MacBook Airs, updates from HumanWare on the Victor Reader Stream 3 and Mantis Q40, and their personal experiences with technology. The guys are also joined by Mathieu Piquette and Andrew Flatres from HumanWare to discuss updates across their range of products. In particular, we focus on an upcoming update for the Victor Reader Stream 3 and we get the answer to the eternal question: when will Audible books be able to be added to the device? Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In the latest episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece chat with Christopher Patnoe from Google about all things Android, and they delve into the broader topic of AI and its role in accessibility. Throughout the episode, the hosts cover a range of topics, including the potential of AI in creating more accessible experiences for people with disabilities. They address the excitement surrounding AI, likening its impact on tech to a positive tsunami, but also discuss the need for caution to avoid misrepresentations or "hallucinations" in AI-generated content. Christopher expresses frustration about getting the word out regarding Google's accessibility features. Despite their efforts, there seems to be a disconnect in communication, leaving many unaware of the tools available. Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In this episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece kick off with Steven sharing a story about helping his dad connect Apple Music to Amazon Echo, illustrating the common misconception about being locked into specific tech ecosystems and the surprise many feel when they learn about cross-platform compatibility. Listener emails bring up topics like marketing assistive technology to younger audiences, the need for resources for young people who are blind or partially sighted, and the complexities of finding a good therapist or counselor in the UK. They touch on the challenges of navigating YouTube with VoiceOver due to the introduction of shorts at the top of search results, reflecting on how changes in app interfaces can impact accessibility. The episode wraps up with excitement for the upcoming Ability Summit by Microsoft, focusing on the potential of AI and the importance of making technology accessible not just for consumers but for creators with disabilities. Hector Minto, technology evangelist for Microsoft, stresses the significance of registering for events like the Ability Summit to show interest and support for accessibility in tech. Register for the Ability Summit here: https://abilitysummit.event.microsoft.com/ Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In this episode focusing on the Best of YouTube from this week, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece discuss a range of topics related to technology and accessibility. The episode features an interview with Shani Danda, a disability inclusion consultant and the UK's most influential person with a disability in 2023. Shani shares her experience at the Zero Project Conference in Vienna, her work with international clients, and her thoughts on the state of disability in the UK. She also talks about her children's book, "No Horn Unicorn," which is rooted in the social model of disability. (Starts at 13 seconds) Shaun Preece introduced an app called Pi, which is a personal AI. He discusses its capabilities, such as providing news summaries and interacting in a more human-like manner. The hosts also delve into the ethical considerations and potential benefits of AI companionship for individuals who may be isolated or have mental health concerns. (Starts at 18 minutes 51 seconds) The episode concludes with Steven Scott interviewing James Rath, known as The Blind Filmmaker, about his experience with the Apple Vision Pro. James, who is partially sighted, shares his positive impressions of the device, especially the high-resolution display and built-in accessibility features. He compares it to other assistive devices like eSight and discusses the potential for developers to create apps that could further enhance the experience for visually impaired users. (Starts at 41 minutes 7 seconds) Get ahead of the conversation and check out the Double Tap YouTube channel every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on the platform which you can find using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@DoubleTapVideo

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and trauma. In this episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a range of topics, but the highlight is an in-depth and candid interview with Zach Tidwell, an app developer who is blind with an extraordinary backstory. The duo starts by discussing the rumour mill churning around Apple's supposed car project, which has been shelved in favour of machine learning and AI development. They debate the implications of this pivot, considering Apple's secretive nature, and ponder the future of technology interfaces, accessibility, and the potential for an Apple car as a tech-driven experience rather than a traditional vehicle. The conversation shifts to the core of the episode: Zach Tidwell's journey. Zach, a former Marine, shares his harrowing experience of attempting suicide, leading to his blindness and deafness in one ear. He talks about his struggles with depression, alcohol, and the life-altering aftermath of his suicide attempt. Zach's story is powerful as he describes the process of recovery, learning to live as a blind individual, and finding a new purpose through app development. Zach's app, Xanagrams, which won an award from Apple Viz, is a word puzzle game designed to be fully accessible to people with disabilities, including those who are blind, have auditory impairments, or have motor impairments. Steven and Zach delve into the technical aspects of coding as a blind person, the resources Zach utilized, and his aspirations for his company to contribute positively to the tech world and the blind community. Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In this episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece discuss a variety of topics, including Shaun's recent switch to a new internet provider and the frustrations he faced with customer service from his previous provider. The conversation shifts to the new iOS Journal app, with a detailed demo provided by listener Gordon Anthony. Gordon walks listeners through the app's features, settings, and how to create entries, whether they're based on prompts from the app or personal notes. He shares how he's using the Journal app to track his workouts and other personal details, offering insights into the app's flexibility and accessibility. Throughout the episode, Steven and Sean also respond to listener feedback. They address questions about transferring images from WhatsApp to Be My Eyes, discuss the challenges of accepting the use of a white cane, and share personal stories about their own experiences with vision loss. Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.