The Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast

With its crisp 32 cell braille display, silent keyboard, 32 gigs of flash storage, 1GHZ processor, internal GPS receiver, vibration motor and suite of state-of-the-art applications, the Braille Sense U2 moves to the head of the class.

The Tech Doctor does a detailed examination the U2 providing you with both the data and live demonstrations that you need to really understand this product.

Thinking of the Braille Sense U2 as just a note taker is like believing that the iPhone is just a phone. It has the hardware specs of a typical high-end mobile device and Hims is making good progress on the getting the software to take full advantage of the new processor, additional ram and increased storage capacity.

Using refreshable braille to word process, surf the net, work with email, navigate with GPS and participate in social networking is what the U2 is all about. There is of course synthetic speech and improved audio capabilities built-in as well.

Clearly, the Tech Doctor feels that the Braille Sense U2 is a big step forward. At the same time, he acknowledges that no product is perfect and offers some suggestions for improvement.

If you are interested in having the ability to work easily and efficiently in electronic braille, the Braille Sense U2 is worthy of serious consideration.

For more information, check out the
Hims
website.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctor visits with a most charming and fascinating man from Puerto Rico named Ricky Gonzalez

You will get to know Ricky and hear the wonderful and relaxing sounds of the Caribbean.

As we talk, you will get an idea of what life is like for people who are blind and living on the island. You will definitely enjoy Ricky telling us about what it was like for him to discover that the iPhone is accessible and what this technology means to him.

Ricky’s warmth and generous spirit is infectious. This is a podcast that just might stick with you for a while.

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In this podcast, Robert visits with Katie Floyd, the co-host of the excellent
Mac Power Users podcast

Robert and Katie compare and contrast the capabilities and features of the 2012 line of Apple MacBook laptops. They provide the information that you will need when selecting the computer that is right for you. You may be surprised by some of their recommendations.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert Carter and Jessica Rathwell explain and demonstrate an innovative new app which uses pattern recognition to allow a blind person to type faster and more easily on an iOS touch screen.

The app is called “Fleksy” and at the time of this podcast is currently under development.

For more information, go to the
Fleksy
website.

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In this podcast, I have the pleasure of talking with Shane Jackson. Shane tells us all about getting a job and working as an Apple Specialist in an Apple retail store.

As we talk, it becomes obvious that Shane’s warmth, persistence, willingness to take risks, and excellent communications skills are at the heart of his success at Apple. I wish Shane all the best as he follows his dream and begins law school in the near future.

To learn more about Shane, check out his excellent
podcast

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In this podcast, Robert talks with Anna Dresner the author of “Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users.”

Robert considers this book a must have for anyone interested in understanding how to get the most out of the iPhone as a VoiceOver user. Anna talks about the writing process and gives some good suggestions on how to most efficiently use the book.

The book is available for $22 from the National Braille Press. It can be purchased either in hardcopy braille or as a download with several formats to choose from. To see the table of contents and learn more about the book, go to
Getting Started with the iPhone

Thanks Anna for Talking with us about this excellent book.

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During this hour, Robert has a fascinating conversation with, Jolie Mason, the founder and program director of the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service. The LA Reading Service can be heard world wide on an iOS app called
iBlink Radio
In addition to her radio reading service work, Jolie hosts a radio show on a Los Angeles radio station
KPFK
The show is called “Access Unlimited” and can be heard online by going to the KPFK site.

Jolie is an enthusiastic iPhone user but did express some frustration with the fact that VoiceOver users are required to use different gestures than those that are used by sighted iPhone users. Robert mentions a new book that teaches iPhone VoiceOver users everything they need to know. The book is available from the National Braille Press and is called
Getting Started with the IPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users

Jolie and Robert discuss an excellent website filled with information about Apple accessibility. The site is called
Applevis

There is a new iOS, Android and PC app that allows people to voice chat with other users of the app throughout the world. It has become very popular with blind people. The app is called
Zello
One thing that can quickly become a problem is finding a particular app on your iPhone. This problem occurs once you have dozens of apps. Jolie describes her excellent system for organizing and categorizing all of her apps.

Finally, Jolie and Robert discuss some of their favorite apps for learning about birds and for using the iPhone in the kitchen. Here are the links to some really great birding apps.
BirdTunes
Handheld Birds
Chirp Bird Songs USA +
iBird Explorer Pro
Here are the links to the cooking and shopping apps that Jolie described.
Grocery Smart
ShopShop
List Recorder
Crock-Pot Virtual Cooking Timer
Cooking
FastMall

My visit with Jolie was delightful. I only hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert makes a virtual trip to Australia where he catches up with the professional musician and access technology specialist, Scott Erichsen.

Scott tells us about his formal training as a jazz pianist. He describes how having perfect pitch has helped him to quickly reproduce the music that he hears. Scott talks about the importance of braille in writing music and the necessity to have really excellent teachers.

Robert and Scott then move in to a discussion of access technology describing how blind people in Australia go about acquiring and utilizing access technology. Scott talks about his work as a tester, evaluator and trainer. They discuss mainstream versus specialized technology and explore some ways of bridging the two.

The podcast concludes with a discussion of Scott’s current music, a pending trip to the U.S. and Scott’s two currently available albums. Finally, Robert finishes the podcast by playing one of Scott’s recordings called “Places.”

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This podcast is all about the 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference commonly referred to as CSUN. Robert speaks with Jessica Rathwell who offers a fascinating perspective on what attending this conference is like for an independent woman who is blind.

In addition to discussing some most interesting presentations and products, Robert and Jessi talk about the importance of social networking and some of the challenges faced by people who are blind trying to connect with others at a mega conference like this one.

The idea of people with disabilities reaching out to the mainstream community was explored in some detail. You will find Jessi’s perspective insightful and refreshing. Her enthusiasm inspired me to make a personal commitment to attend CSUN in the very near future.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks accessible technology with Amy Ruell.

Amy tells us about her work as president of
VIBUG
which is a computer users group for visually impaired and blind people in Massachusetts. Amy and her group are engaged in some very interesting collaboration with MIT. The VIBUG website is a wonderful resource for blind and visually impaired people throughout the world.

Robert and Amy engage in a comprehensive discussion about mainstream versus specialized technology concluding with the idea that there may be ways to build a bridge between the two.

Finally, Robert and Amy talk about some of the complexities of being an access technology trainer in today’s ever-changing technical world.

I am confident that there is something in this podcast for everybody. Sit back and enjoy this discussion.

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