A Little Touch of Braille

February 14th, 2021

This Tech Doctor podcast begins with Allison letting us know that she is enjoying working with the Microsoft Surface Pro. She also tells us how she is now carrying two iPhones to meet her entertainment and communications needs. She is enjoying both the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone SE 2020.

David tells us about how he has taken his product demonstrations to a new level by producing videos. Don’t worry, he is still providing excellent audio description in these videos.

To check out the new videos, go to
David’s Vision Australia Blog.

Robert tells us that there is now a way to use SuperDuper to backup Macs that are running Big Sur. You can read all about this on the
Shirt-Pocket Blog.
Robert also lets us know that setting up the M1 Macs to work with the
Rogue Amoeba products
is fully accessible with VoiceOver.

The remainder of the podcast is spent discussing electronic Braille. There is a lot happening with Braille these days.

The Tech Doctors discuss the trend away from Notetakers and toward hybrid Braille displays which have some minimal note taking capabilities but mostly rely on a connected computer or mobile device to do the heavy lifting of making word processing, email, web browsing, and so on available in Braille.

The Tech Doctors acknowledge that for this hybrid approach to work well, the interface between the Braille display and the computer or mobile device has to be consistent and reliable. The Tech Doctors feel that there is a bright future for this way of working with Braille but there are some growing pains to get through. The Tech Doctors are delighted, however, to see the cost of refreshable Braille coming down.

The Tech Doctors are excited about several new Braille displays. They discuss the
Mantis from APH,
The Orbit Reader from Orbit Research,
And the
new Brailliant displays from HumanWare.

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Apple’s Audio Magic

January 15th, 2021

In recent years, the iPhone has become known for the excellent photographs that it produces. This is not because Apple has defied physics and put a huge camera lens in a tiny iPhone. It is because Apple has learned how to use computational image processing to create stunning photos.

A few years ago, when they introduced the HomePod, Apple showed us that they can create fabulous audio using similar computational processing of sound. The three tech doctors, who are totally blind, can not appreciate the photos but we love how Apple is using its computational engineering magic to delight our ears with amazing audio.

Apple just introduced the new over the ear headphones called AirPods Max which take full advantage of computational processing to create a wonderful audio experience.

In this podcast, the tech doctors give the AirPods Max a thorough examination. This is, of course, what tech doctors do. Sit back, relax and enjoy. We will tell you everything you need to know about the AirPods Max.

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Thank You Apple

December 25th, 2020

The Tech Doctors are publishing this podcast on December 25, 2020. We are currently in the middle of a world wide pandemic that has disrupted all of our lives in one way or another. Far too many people are sick or dead and generalized anxiety is through the roof.

In this podcast, the Tech Doctors share their amazement and gratitude for what Apple has accomplished during this past fall. The new hardware includes: Apple Watch Series 6, four models of iPhone 12, HomePod Mini, M1 MacBooks and AirPods Max.

All of the hardware is running on updated operating systems which brings amazing collaboration between the products. This is something that only Apple can offer. We also saw significant enhancements to accessibility and even a glimpse into the future of indoor navigation for blind people.

The tech Doctors describe how these products bring pleasure and increase their quality of life. Thank you Apple for showing us a way forward.

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Apple November Event

November 10th, 2020

In this Tech Doctor podcast, David Woodbridge and Robert Carter share their excitement about the “One More Thing” November 2020 Apple event.

David and Robert love the Mac and this event introduced three new Macs running Apple’s silicon called the M1 chip. This is a huge breakthrough for the Mac.

Listen and enjoy.

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Apple October Event

October 13th, 2020

In this unedited and lively Tech Doctor episode, Allison Meloy, Robert Carter and David Woodbridge meet up to share their thoughts and feelings about the Apple October 13, 2020 event.

They will tell you all about the new HomePod Mini and the new iPhone 12.

They had lots of fun bringing you this event.

Enjoy.

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Apple September Event

September 15th, 2020

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison Meloy, David Woodbridge and Robert Carter offer their rather humorous and insightful commentary on the new Apple products that were announced at the September 15th Apple Event.

This particular podcast is mostly unedited so that we can bring you the information immediately after the event.

Listen and enjoy.

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Orbit Writer: Bluetooth/USB Braille Keyboard

August 10th, 2020

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter and Lisa Salinger offer a quick overview of what has changed with the low-cost Braille displays that they examined in 2019. That four part series is available on the
Tech Doctor podcast homepage.

The bulk of the podcast is devoted to a new Braille keyboard from Orbit Research called the Orbit Writer. See the
Orbit Writer homepage
For all of the details.

Lisa has produced an audio tutorial on how to get up and running with the Orbit Writer. The tutorial is available from an Orbit Research distributor called Guidelights And Gadgets. Specific information pertaining to the Orbit Research products that Guidelights and Gadgets carry can be found
Here.
Go
Here
To get information on the other products that are available from Guidelights and Gadgets. To order from Guidelights and Gadgets, call Barry at (617) 969-7500.

Lisa also tells us about a class on how to use the Orbit Reader that may be offered through Mystic Access. If at least 50 people register for the class, it will be offered online. The cutoff date to register is September 15. Go to the
Mystic Access
Website to register.

Lisa and Robert hope you enjoyed learning about the Orbit Writer.

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WWDC 2020 Keynote Review

June 22nd, 2020

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter, Allison Meloy and David Woodbridge review everything that was important in the WWDC 2020 Keynote. This one was packed with exciting announcements.

We hope you enjoy our coverage.

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Examining the New Apple Products

December 16th, 2019

In this final Tech Doctor podcast of 2019, Allison Mervis, David Woodbridge and Robert Carter examine all of the fantastic new products that Apple released during the fall of 2019.

They discuss the iPhones 11, the AirPods Pro, the 16 inch MacBook Pro, the update to the HomePod, the Apple Card, Catalina, Apple Watch 5 and Apple TV Plus.

The Tech Doctors are delighted by these new products and it is our pleasure to tell you all about them.

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September 2019 Apple Event

September 10th, 2019

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter, Allison Mervis and David Woodbridge discuss the highlights of the September 2019 Apple event.

They mention Apple Arcade, iPad 7th generation, Apple TV Plus, the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro and much more.

This is an unedited podcast designed to get you the information as quickly as possible. Your job is to sit back, listen and enjoy.

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