Living Blindfully

Latest Episodes:

Episode 76:Nick Zammarelli demonstrates the WeWalk Smart Cane Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

If we're blind and use a white cane, they're with us whenever we travel. So in 2020, why are they still just a stick that does nothing?

A company called WeWalk aims to change all that, with their WeWalk Smart Cane. Mosen At Large listener and frequent contributor Nick Zammarelli bought a WeWalk Smart Cane early. In this review, he demonstrates the app that offers turn by turn navigation complete with haptic vibration and voice prompts from the cane. Then, we let Nick Loose on the streets armed only with his phone and his smart cane.

To learn more about the WeWalk Smart Cane, visit the website at http://WeWalk.io

Episode 75:Historic election results in New Zealand, who's buying a new iPhone, the International Council on English Braille, self-driving cars and more Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen At Largers. A reminder that this podcast is indexed by chapter. If you listen with a podcast client that offers chapter support, you can easily skip between segments.

Here are the topics covered in this episode, and the time in the file for each.

Introduction,0:00 A resounding New Zealand election win for Jacinda Ardern's Labour Party,2:15 Feedback on various Apple issues,10:31 Who wants a self-driving car? Still me me me!,28:01 Education experiences,35:54 Thoughts on open source software and Narrator's capabilities,42:04 Thoughts on various issues,44:38 Voting in Australia,52:31 Hints for working effectively with online courses,54:08 1Password thoughts and questions,1:01:50 The International Council on English Braille general assembly,1:08:40 A brief look at Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Go,1:21:59 Thoughts on various issues from recent episodes,1:30:32 The things sighted people think we can do,1:40:26 How accessible is iCloud for Windows?,1:41:23 What's a good wireless microphone/headset for the computer?,1:45:23 Closing,1:47:07

Episode 74:Review and demonstration of the 1Password password manager Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

In response to a lot of listener demand, this episode is devoted to the 1Password password manager. Versions of 1Password are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, watchOS, Android and other operating systems, as well as extensions for most browsers. With 1Password, you can enjoy the peace of mind of having a unique password for every site you visit. You can share the app with your family, and store other data securely in its vaults. It's totally accessible and reputable.

Episode 73:Recapping Apple's October 2020 event from a blindness perspective Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen at Largers. Joining me to recap Apple's October 2020 event are Judy Dixon, Michael Feir and Heidi Taylor.

We'll discuss the HomePod Mini and the new iPhone 12 range, all from a blindness perspective.

I'd love to know what you think. Has Apple done enough to move you to upgrade, and if so, what are you going for? If not, what would it have taken for you to hand over some cash? Let us know for inclusion in the next episode.

Episode 72:Apples next big event, the four big tech companies under scrutiny, who wants a self-driving car and more Oct 10, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen At Largers. A reminder that this podcast is indexed by chapter. If you listen with a podcast client that offers chapter support, you can easily skip between segments.

Here are the topics covered in this episode, and the time in the file for each.

Intro,0:00 Reporting back on the Bose Portable Smart Speaker performance,2:15 What to expect at Apple's next big event,6:22 Congressional report slams four big tech companies,13:35 Who wants a self-driving car? Me me me!,26:42 More thoughts on education,41:45 iPhone online busking,57:46 Assisted dying referendum in New Zealand,59:09 Is Narrator ready for daily use?,1:06:33 Audio apps for the PC. Switch Sound File Converter and Studio Recorder,1:10:17 What's a good microphone for the Victor Reader Stream?,1:13:02 Multitasking,1:13:43 Striving for success,1:18:45 Memories of Clark and Smith talking book machines,1:21:41 Podcast apps,1:24:46 Does education level help with success?,1:25:23 In praise of Ubiquiti equipment,1:27:17 Thoughts on iOS, audiobooks and education,1:30:53 Dolby Atmos,1:36:11 A little business that went the extra mile,1:40:04 A Bluetooth speaker recommendation,1:42:09 Never mind self-driving cars. Some people think blind people are already driving,1:43:42 How often should I reformat my hard drive?,1:47:52 Talking news papers on your smartphone and AmazonEcho,1:50:11 Thoughts onEnvision,1:54:03 Closing announcement,1:56:44

Episode 71:Speaker reviews and unboxing a Bose portable Smart Speaker Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen At Largers. Inspired by the spring getaway Bonnie and I decided to take, this episode is all about Bluetooth and other speakers, in particular unboxing a Bose portable Smart Speaker. It is not without its accessibility challenges when using it with the Bose Music app, but works well as a Bluetooth speaker.

Here’s a summary of what you can hear when in this episode. If your podcast app supports chapters, you can easily skip forward and backward between these sections of the podcast. Introduction,0:00 Jonathan and Heidi review speakers they looked at and unbox the winner,2:15 Listener recommendations,43:00 Closing announcement,57:40

Episode 70:Ableism in stand-up comedy, blindness education experiences, what's happened to the Apple Music radio directory and more Oct 03, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen At Largers. A reminder that this podcast is indexed by chapter. If you listen with a podcast client that offers chapter support, you can easily skip between segments.

Here are the topics covered in this episode, and the time in the file for each.

Introduction,0:00 Defending blind pride. It seems ableism counts as stand-up comedy,2:15 Listening to Internet radio on a fire TV stick,8:38 The Charlotte Podcast Festival offers free webinars on podcasting,11:21 Connecting my guitar to my iPhone,14:16 Constructing a network diagram when you're blind,17:15 Many more thoughts on educating blind children,17:52 Why have so many radio stations including Mushroom FM vanished from Apple Music?,57:59 Use of words, iPhone cases and education,1:02:07 Feedback on Apple's new software releases,1:07:37 Using the Apple Watch,1:21:53 In defence of iPhone cases,1:31:44 Is anyone using the Envision Smart Glasses in their daily life?,1:34:34 What's wrong with Apple Podcasts?,1:37:50 The Bonnie Bulletin,1:43:41 Extra episode coming all about Speakers,1:48:05 Closing announcement,1:49:46

Episode 69:Unboxing and setting up an Apple Watch series 6 Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen At Largers. Today’s episode focuses on Apple Watch. If you’ve never owned an Apple Watch but are thinking about it, or you’re considering upgrading and you haven’t done that before, join Heidi Taylor and me as we unbox and set up a brand new series 6 Apple Watch. Here’s a summary of what you can hear when in this episode. If your podcast app supports chapters, you can easily skip forward and backward between these sections of the podcast. Introduction,0:00 Unboxing and setting up an Apple Watch series 6,2:15 Not smooth sailing when setting up a new watch,39:14 Heidi needs her own podcast...and technology fund,40:52 Closing announcement and contact info,45:04

Episode 68:more Apple software feedback, mainstreaming versus schools for the blind, travel tips and more Sep 26, 2020

Show notes

Kia ora Mosen At Largers. A reminder that this podcast is indexed by chapter. If you listen with a podcast client that offers chapter support, you can easily skip between segments.

Here are the topics covered in this episode, and the time in the file for each.

Introduction,0:00 The times are a-changing...again!,2:15 Special Apple Watch unboxing episode coming up,4:37 The case of the missing microphone,5:15 New range of Amazon Echo devices and more announced this week,9:16 Meet Me Accessibly to be withdrawn on 30 September,11:19 Thanks to all who supported the watchOS beta petition. Here's what happens next,13:43 More feedback on Apple's new software releases,14:53 The pros and cons of mainstreaming and schools for the blind,30:43 Is Bookshare available where I live and making the most of your Bluetooth speaker,1:12:37 A strange new accessibility problem on some websites,1:14:20 iPhone cases and travel tips,1:16:44 Word and pronunciation annoyances,1:36:49 A couple of Sonos questions,1:43:14 More tech memories,1:46:32 Is there a way to turn off the language translation in Microsoft Edge?,1:50:26 Steve's Talking Clock is back!,1:52:18 Closing announcement and contact information,1:53:09

Episode 67:Karthik Kannan, co-founder of Envision AI Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

On this episode, I speak with Karthik Kannan, co-founder of Envision AI.

Envision AI is a mobile app available in the iOS App Store and the Android Google Play Store. Its purpose is to make visual information accessible, including printed text, photographs, colour and bar code information.

Karthik tells me how Envision got started and what he believes sets it apart from the competition. We also discuss the new Envision Smart Glasses. Based on the new generation of Google Glass, Envision see these glasses as a platform on which they, and third-party developers, will provide a range of services.

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