368: Computer vs Smartphone, Louie Voice Control, and the Clubhouse app
Welcome back one and all, it's Tech Talk 368! It's a bit crowded in Tech Talk Towers today, no room to swing the proverbial cat - not only do we have our regulars Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz and Emails Andy, but we're joined by Dean Ormond, radio presenter extraordinaire, who comes pre-loaded with his own tech question... what's your preferred choice in 2021, phone or comp...
58m Feb 23, 2021
58m
367: Tackling the Inbox, Learning Welsh, and Spilling the Beans
Yes, it is us, the Tech Talk crew... We're back - they cant keep us away! Joining Steven today - Robin, Tim and Emails Andy... and speaking of emails, let's talk about our inbox - over the past few months we have been lamenting about how far behind we are; well, we've spent some time offline getting our ducks in a row - a spring clean, if you will. So some of your questions have been deliberat...
58m Feb 16, 2021
58m
366: Smart Speakers with David Ward, and more from the Email Inbox
Hello everyone, it's Tech Talk o'clock! This week's show is split into two halves; firstly, Steven, Robin, and Tim are joined by David Ward, host of the Echo Tips podcast (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/echo-tips-new-vision-MS1Zg38freu/) to talk all things smart speakers! The show is part of the New Vision Programme run by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Virginia in the US. What's...
58m Feb 09, 2021
58m
365: More on Android, and what's trending in Specialist Tech
Good day to you all! We continue our Android theme this week inviting Steve Nutt from Computer Room Services (https://www.comproom.co.uk/) to join Steven, Robin and Tim to talk about the benefits Android can bring to blind people, and the hot specialist tech that's flying out the door. Also, Yvonne Brooks from RNIB's Technology for Life team joins the guys to talk about the new LIDAR scanner ...
58m Feb 02, 2021
58m
364: Is this the year Android rivals Apple for Smartphone Accessibility?
Here at Tech Talk Towers we are, on occasion, told we talk about Apple a little too much. In our defence, we do so because we own a lot of their products, and they are far and away leading the pack when it comes to accessibility in smartphone tech. But that doesn't mean we should brush Android under the carpet. This week, Steven, Robin and Andy welcome Dinos from RNIB's Technology for Life tea...
58m Jan 26, 2021
58m
363: Are the New Apple Products Living Up to the Hype?
Time for Tech Talk! On this week's show, Steven, Robin and Andy are joined by birthday boy David Woodbridge to talk all about Apple! With Steven and David having a selection of new Apple products, the guys talk about how they're finding the MacBook Air, the AirPod Max headphones, and Series 6 Apple Watch - has the MacBook and the M1 chip met expectations? Are the headphones comfortable to wear...
58m Jan 19, 2021
58m
362: Seeing AI update, Braille books on the Orbit Reader 20, and Google Nest tracking sleep
Brand new year, same old Tech Talk! Welcome back everyone, we hope your Christmas and New Year was as good as current situations allow, and that 2021 has started as close to promising as possible. The team of Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy return for our first official TT of the new year (even though we have been on already... shhh). On today's episode, the team talk about the 'World' update to ...
58m Jan 12, 2021
58m
361: A Tech Talk special: Looking Ahead to 2021
Happy New Year Tech Talk fans! Following on from the last episode, where we reviewed 2020, we now look ahead at what is ahead of us in 2021, and once again, we do it for two whole hours! Team STAR reunite, yes, Steven , Tim, Andy and Robin lay out their thoughts about what lies ahead - flip phones, phablets, ultrawide band, a little bit more WFH, better wearables, satisfying clicks, 5G and so...
1hr 56m Jan 01, 2021
1hr 56m
360: A Tech Talk special: 2020 In Review
What a year, eh? I'm sure many of you will be glad to have 2020 behind us; there certainly has been a lot to talk about, especially in tech! So much so in fact, we're with you for the next TWO HOURS! Yes, on this back-to-back Boxing Day Tech Talk extravaganza, Steven, Robin and Tim are joined by David Woodbridge from Vision Australia to reflect on the year in technology - Airpods, Narrator, Fa...
1hr 55m Dec 26, 2020
1hr 55m
359: Tech Talk: RNIB's Technology For Life Special
It's time for a very special episode of Tech Talk! Yes, Steven has given Tim, Andy and Robin the day off to finish their Christmas shopping, and instead welcomes some of RNIB's Technology For Life team in instead! Joining Steven this week are Jo Fullerton, Madleen Mann, Mohammed Atif, and Ben Rendle; together, they discuss the most pertinent questions the team receive, some of the common answe...
58m Dec 22, 2020
58m
358: Amazon Show & Tell, Apple AirPod Max, and Emails
Good day to you all, welcome back to Tech Talk! We've got a Steven, a Robin, a Tim and an Andy on today's show, the usual suspects. On today's show, we welcome Amazon Show and Tell to a UK audience, an accessibility feature that identifies common pantry items and other things using your Echo Show's camera. It's new to these shores, and we waste no time in discussing its usefulness and uniquene...
58m Dec 15, 2020
58m
357: Emptying the Tech Talk Email Inbox [Part Two]
Hello, all! We're back, and straight back into the Tech Talk email inbox! Joining RNIB Connect Radio's Steven Scott this week - Robin Christopherson from the wonderful AbilityNet, Tim Schwartz from the lovely lifeafterblindness.com, and of course emails Andy. Quite a few themes in the emails this week including lots on Lady A, such as: calling costs and VOIP calls, tripod mounts and a link wit...
58m Dec 08, 2020
58m
356: Emptying the Tech Talk Email Inbox
Iiiiiit's Tech Talk time! Okay, so you've done your festive gift shopping thanks to last week's gift guide episode of Tech Talk, so you should be feeling all festive and merry; so settle in, because Steven, Robin and Tim are here to answer your emails! Andy opens up the many pages saved up from you lovely listeners, and over this week and next we'll be reading them out, and discussing all the...
58m Dec 01, 2020
58m
355: Tech Talk: Holiday Gift Guide 2020
Ho Ho Ho! Greetings Tech Talk fans, welcome to a special, festive episode - yes, we know it's still only November, and yes, many of us around the world are still in some kind of lockdown, but we're not letting it knock our seasonal spirit. In fact, we're combining our festive feelings with our love of shopping, and tech! Yes, in this episode, Steven, Tim, Robin and Andy have gathered a collec...
58m Nov 24, 2020
58m
354: Macs to the Max, Dolphin Easy Reader app, and Custom iOS gestures
Welcome back Tech Talk fans, we hope this week's show finds you well. Steven, Robin, Andy and Tim return for another hour of tech-delight courtesy of RNIB Connect Radio.. Unsurprisingly, we begin this week with One More Thing, Apple's third event in as many months, which was broadcasting their new Mac range - the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, now with the new M1 chips designed and bui...
58m Nov 17, 2020
58m
353: Nike Training Centre, Braille feedback, and Talking Microwaves
Hello friends! Team Tech Talk is here with you for another hour of accessible technology goodness! Steven is joined by Robin, Tim and Andy for a jam-packed show.  First, we hear about a new talking microwave that has been launched by the RNIB that aims to simplify the cooking experience for blind and partially sighted people. Steven chats to Claire Maxwell from the RNIB Products Team about the...
58m Nov 10, 2020
58m
352: State Of The Nation on Gaming
Hello, all, and welcome to a special episode of Tech Talk this week; Robin, Andy and Tim get the week off, and Steven instead sits down to talk accessible gaming with two guests! Joining Steven is Ian Hamilton (https://twitter.com/ianhamilton_) , and Sightless Kombat (https://twitter.com/sightlessKombat) .  On the eve of the next era of console releases, with the Xbox Series X, and the PlaySta...
58m Nov 03, 2020
58m
351: The importance of Braille, thoughts on the Echo Dot and Nest Audio, and online security
Good day to you all, and welcome to Tech Talk! On today's podcast you'll be hearing from our regulars: Steven Scott, Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz, and Andy with the Emails. Speaking of emails, we begin this week's show with one that came in recently; regular listeners to the show will recall that Robin is now in possession of a Optelec Voyager refreshable Braille terminal, and has starte...
58m Oct 27, 2020
58m
350: New iPhones, new HomePod Minis, and a look at the Be My Eyes app
We've made it to 350! Can you believe it?! 350 Tech Talk shows, amazing stuff - well done to all of you who have survived them all! Today's episode is a right Apple fest; Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy gather together to talk about the 'Hi, Speed' Apple event from last week. We're going to be getting four new iPhones - iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and a iPhone 12 Pro Max - which one i...
58m Oct 20, 2020
58m
349: Accessible Voting in the US, New Microsoft Surface Devices, and VoiceView on Fire Tablets
Welcome one, welcome all... to Tech Talk! Your weekly dose of accessible tech news, reviews and gossip from RNIB Connect Radio! Joining Steven Scott on this week's show - Robin Christopherson, Tim Schwartz and Andy with the emails, and boy what a show we've put together for you! Coming up, Steven and the team discuss the new arrivals in the Microsoft Surface range: the Surface Laptop Go, and t...
58m Oct 13, 2020
58m
348: Google's #LaunchNightIn, National Braille Week, and New Bose Frames
Hello everyone! It's time for Tech Talk 348! Thank you for joining us. On today's episode, Steven, Robin, Tim and Andy discuss Google's #LaunchNightIn event of last week, and boy are they all underwhelmed! There was plenty of new techy stuff revealed - the new Pixel 5, a Pixel 4A 5G, Nest Audio, and Chromecast with Google TV... they try to wrap up what they liked most, and what they may end up...
58m Oct 06, 2020
58m
347: New Echos revealed, Samsung's new S20 FE, and RNIB's Web Accessibility toolkit
Hello, fellow geeks! Welcome to another terrific Tech Talk episode, full to the brim of everything you could wish for! Joining Steven (https://twitter.com/techtalkersteve) on today's show - Robin (https://twitter.com/usa2day) from AbilityNet (https://abilitynet.org.uk/) , Tim (https://twitter.com/timschwartz5) from Life After Blindness (https://lifeafterblindness.com/) , and Andy (https://twitt...
58m Sep 29, 2020
58m
346: The #AppleEvent fallout, and more of your emails
Team Tech Talk is here to rock your socks off! Today, the team tackle the rather underwhelming #AppleEvent from last week - if you missed it, don't worry - not only did you not miss anything ground-breaking, but Steven, Robin, and Tim are here to round up all the semi-decent announcements and talking points. Are the new health features worth getting an Apple Watch 6 for? Is the new look iPad a...
58m Sep 22, 2020
58m
345: #AppleEvent preview, Android goes to eleven, and Amazon Halo
Plundering porpoises! The good ship Tech Talk sets sail once more, thank you for being aboard! On today's episode we welcome back a salty ol' sea-dog to the show... Tim Schwartz is here! Last heard on these particular airwaves on episode 266, Tim returns to turn the tricky threesome into the fearless foursome... or something like that. We catch up with what Tim's been up to, and try not to get...
58m Sep 15, 2020
58m
344: Buying a New Computer when Blind and Visually Impaired [Part II]
It's a Tech Talk Double Feature this week! Well, kind of.... Firstly, it's the return of RNIB Connect Radio's own Red Szell! A couple of weeks ago, on Tech Talk Episode 336, you may remember Red was in the market for a new laptop. Well, he's only gone and bought one! Steven recommended one from the Dell Inspiron range... did Red splash out on one of those, or something entirely different? In ...
58m Sep 08, 2020
58m
343: Recorders, Rambling, and Robin in a rainstorm - a Tech Talk Email Special
Welcome to the 343rd Tech Talk! That's a lot when you really think about it, isn't it? Firstly, let's get to some housekeeping. If you've heard the show already you'll know we mentioned lots of different bits and bobs at the start, well, here's all the info you need. To fill in the Tech Talk Survey, which runs until the 9th September, click here (https://surveymonkey.co.uk/r/techtalkradio) . ...
58m Sep 01, 2020
58m
342: Google Lookout, Face Masks, and Modern Tech Longevity
Oh look, it's you! Fancy seeing you here! Just in time for Tech Talk! Steven, Robin & Andy return to talk all manner of gadgets and gizmos, but not before Robin gives out an apology for a boo-boo from last week... He's only gone and mixed up his Williams and Bills! The trio discuss Google Lookout, which has seen some updates over the last week - it now offers two new features: the ability to ...
58m Aug 25, 2020
58m
341: New products from Samsung, another Aira UK Demo, and goodbye Toshiba
Greetings, Tech Talkees! Join Steven, Robin and Andy on this week's show to hear the fallout from Samsung Unpacked from a few weeks back, and what kind of pull Android has in 2020. We say goodbye to Toshiba tech, as they quietly exited the laptop business for good, after 35 years of great machines. The guys discuss what went wrong, why the sales dropped off, and who is now taking on their PC ...
58m Aug 18, 2020
58m
340: Braille podcasts, Robotic Guide Dogs, and emails
Are you here for Tech Talk? Well you're in the right place! Steven's here, Robin's there, and Andy's everywhere - on today's TT, plenty of topics to discuss, including 'Theia', a robotic guide dog prototype designed by Anthony Camu - would you switch out having a fluffy, cuddly (and sometimes smelly) real life guide dog, in exchange for one that you need to plug in and recharge every night? An...
58m Aug 11, 2020
58m
339: Trying Aira in the UK, Chats about Apps, and Accessible Fitness
Hello, friends! On this week's Tech Talk, Steven and Robin spend a bit more time discussing Aira now being available in the UK, and how it differs from services such as Be My Eyes. We also have a demo from listener Will trying out the service - thanks Will! (Plus, if you would like 60 minutes free upon signup instead of the usual 30, Will has also shared a referral code, so click this link her...
58m Aug 04, 2020
58m
338: In Your Pocket, Back Tap on iOS14, and loads of emails
Hello, Tech Talkers! Here's a warning - this episode is very lively... we've all been fuelled by strong coffee! On today's show, Steven chats with Brendan Lewis from RealSam, the makers of In Your Pocket, to talk about how the product can help blind and partially sighted people, and also to showcase a new handset device just launched. Also on the show, we delve deep into the swimming pool of ...
58m Jul 28, 2020
58m
337: Mantis Q40, Zoom for Home, and Braille on the Apple Watch
Ahoy hoy Tech Talk listeners - what a show we have today! It's braille-tastic! Friend of the show Karina Gregory makes a return to chat to Steven about the recently released Mantis Q40, which, controversially, has a QWERTY keyboard... oooft! Also, sticking with regular Tech Talk contributors, iSee host David Woodbridge has a new demonstration all about using braille with the Apple Watch. Will...
58m Jul 21, 2020
58m
336: Buying a New Computer when Blind and Visually Impaired
Hello hello hello! Welcome to another Tech Talk. It's a Tech Talk of two halves this week; how exciting! Firstly Steven and Robin are joined by Read On host, and general all-round good egg Red Szell, who is in the market for a new computer. Is it true to say that buying a PC or Mac when you're blind or partially sighted requires a little bit more effort? The team talk to Red about his tech his...
58m Jul 14, 2020
58m
335: Aira in UK, WHO surveys, and hand on with the iPhone SE
Ahoy! The good ship Tech Talk sets sail once again - join Captain Steven Scott, First Mate Robin Christopherson and Cabin Boy Andy for another week of accessible tech adventures! On this week's show, David Woodbridge gives us a demo of the iPhone SE, we talk about the UK arrival of Aira, the subscription service which allows blind and low-vision users to receive remote assistance through an ap...
58m Jul 07, 2020
58m
334: The Last of Us 2, The Orbit Project, and emails
Hello TT fans! Here's what's on this weeks show: We hear all about the latest PlayStation game currently making headlines... for all the right accessible reasons! The Last of Us 2 is breaking down barriers, meaning gamers with disabilities can also enjoy it, which includes Ross Meegan, who we chat to. Speaking of games, this time of the board variety, we hear from a listener in India who woul...
58m Jun 30, 2020
58m
333: An Email Special
We told you we had two treats for you this week... So, here we are, weirdly, on a Thursday! Steven and Robin return, and they've brought back Andy after his day off on Tuesday to go through the overflowing email inbox. So coming up on this show: Tackling Microsoft Teams, BlindSquare and accurate mapping via GPS, iPads, Audio Description levels, and of course we give another mention to the Turb...
58m Jun 25, 2020
58m
332: Apple WWDC 2020 Discussion
Hello all! We have a couple of treats for you this week, TT fans! Firstly, today - Steven is joined by Robin Christopherson (from AbilityNet), and Shaun Preece (from... his shed) to discuss, dissect and disassemble Monday's WWDC from Apple... what was announced, what was not announced, and what about the new accessibility features that don't often get covered on the day? The trio talk about wh...
58m Jun 23, 2020
58m
331: Screen readers, ARM Mac rumours, and plenty of emails
On Tech Talk this week, the team tackle the overflowing email inbox! This includes all the correspondence received on the screen reader chat from last week; which do you prefer? Narrator, NVDA or JAWS? Also on the show, we talk about Apple moving away from Intel's x86 chips to new processors of Apple's own design, recommendations for wireless headsets, and Steven gets to the bottom of the news...
58m Jun 16, 2020
58m
330: RNIB Reading services, Microsoft Narrator, and EasyReader
Steven's here, Robin's there, and Andy is... somewhere! Yes, it's Tech Talk o'clock! On today's show, we hear from RNIB Library and Newsagent Manager James Bartlett, who chats to Rowland Myers about the RNIB's online accessible book library, Steven gives a demo of how to set up and access the service using the Dolphin EasyReader app, and Robin tells us all about the updates to Narrator, and giv...
58m Jun 09, 2020
58m
329: Microsoft Ability Summit, Accessible TV's and Optacons
Welcome back to Tech Talk, everyone! We're still at home! On the show this week, Steven waxes lyrical over his massive new TV, and all the accessibility features it has, including audio description and voice guidance... he's very impressed! He can even see who is at his front door on it! This is thanks to the Ring doorbell app, which also has had a few updates. We natter about the Microsoft Abi...
58m Jun 02, 2020
58m
328: Apple Glass, Interactive Fiction, and Track-and-Trace
[Hello TT fans; wondering why you've got this week's episode in your podcast feed again? Well, the original upload only lasted 48 minutes - whoops! Here's the full show. Soz x] Hi There! Ready for another Tech Talk? Of course you are! On this week's episode, the gang discuss Robin's busy week last week, what with the 9th Global Accessibility Awareness Day occurring - Steven on the other hand ha...
58m May 26, 2020
58m
327: Tech Talk: GAAD 2020
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! GAAD is an awareness day focusing on digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people with disabilities and impairments. In this special episode of Tech Talk, Steven Scott sits down with two Robins! Robin Christopherson, Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet and regular TT co-host, and Robin Spinks, the Principal Manager of Digital...
58m May 21, 2020
58m
326: ElBraille, Alexa vs Siri and MacBook Pros
Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside! Steven, Robin and Andy return for another marvellous episode of Tech Talk - on this week's show we are joined by Stuart Beveridge, Assistive Technology Trainer at SeeScape. Stuart joins us to answer your questions on the 40-cell Braille display 'ElBraille', including if there are plan...
58m May 19, 2020
58m
325: Turbo Scrubs and the Tech Talk Swap Shop
Hello, Tech Talk fans! Episode 325 is ready for your ears! We cover a handful of news items in today’s episode, chiefly the Microsoft Surface Go 2’s arrival; how does it compare with the rest of the ‘not-quite-a-tablet-not-completely-a-laptop’ market? Can anyone make a convincing case to buying it? Elsewhere Steven’s been glued to shopping channels during lock-down: he will soon be the proud ow...
58m May 12, 2020
58m
324: iPhone SE initial thoughts, Echo Show 8, and COVID-19 tracing
It's absolutely chockablock in Tech Talk Towers today; there's no room to move! That's because we have Steven, Robin, Shaun and Andy all in attendance. Yes, Steven returns from his illness! You can tell, because there's extra waffle in this week's episode. Alongside the waffle, the gang talk about the iPhone SE, and Steven's first impressions, Intel to buy Moovit, Robin chats about a recent pur...
58m May 05, 2020
58m
323: Headspace, Be My Eyes and Fraggle Rock
Tech Talk is here to blow your isolation blues away! Robin and Andy welcome Shaun Preece back for another week as Steven recovers from his illness. The trio deal have a jam-packed show for you, including: The return of Fraggle Rock, now on Apple TV+, The arrival of Galloways and RNIB remote support via Be My Eyes, mental health with Headspace, an anniversary for Microsoft Disability Answer Desk...
58m Apr 28, 2020
58m
322: iPhone SE 2nd gen, BBC vs TuneIn, and Echo Skills
Well well well, what's this? A strange-yet-somewhat familiar voice is introducing you all to the podcast this week... could it be? Why yes! Yes it is! It's the return of the delectable, delightful, and at times deplorable... Shaun Preece! Last heard way back on episode 266... best blow the cobwebs off him first... Why is he back, you may ask? Well, Steven's poorly this week, so of course Shaun ...
58m Apr 21, 2020
58m
321: Harry Potter, Bose Frames & Talking Ovens
Hello to you all! It's Tech Talk time, and this week's show is jam-packed! We've Andrew Coleman on to tell us about Galloway's, a sight loss charity based in the North West of England launching an Alexa skill, which will allow people to find out about their latest services, as well as listen to a range of talking newspapers, Randy Rusnack returns to talk us through talking ovens, Robin and Stev...
58m Apr 14, 2020
58m
320: Extra Echo tips, New iPhone, and Audible
Greetings! On this week's rip roaring, trailblazing Tech Talk, Steven and Robin discuss the imminent arrival of the iPhone SE, and also all the accessibility changes in the new iOS update, we discuss Audible making books free for younger readers, more tips and tricks for getting the absolute best out of your Amazon echo device, especially to keep you in a routine during this odd times, and spea...
58m Apr 07, 2020
58m
319: Echo Calls, Canute Braille e-reader, and Support from Vital Tech
Welcome to Tuesday, and welcome to Tech Talk! Steven, Robin and Andy join you from their own homes again this week. On today's show, Robin guides us through making calls and checking your calendar via Lady A (with a little help from Randy Rusnack), we hear about a Vital Tech support service funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, which provides advice on accessible technology, we hear about the mul...
58m Mar 31, 2020
58m