The Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast

In this Tech Doctor Podcast, Robert begins by describing some new Apple accessories. He discusses the
iPhone Lightning Dock,
Apple Watch Dock,
Milanese Loop
and
Beats Pill Speakers.

Allison discusses the
Sonos Speakers.

Robert describes the new Trekz Titanium headphones from
Aftershokz

Robert and Allison discuss the controversy surrounding “Error 53.”

Finally, Robert and Allison talk about some new Mac software.
Loopback from Rogue Amoeba
and a piece of software, available in the Mac App Store, called
Podcast Chapters.

Robert used the Podcast Chapters software to divide this podcast into chapters. If your podcasting client supports this type of markup, try jumping around to different sections of the podcast and let us know what you think.

To learn more about using Podcast Chapters, check out these two excellent Applevis podcasts.
Podcast Chapters for OS X: Separate Podcasts into Chapters for Easier Listening and Navigation
and
Quick Tip: How to Navigate Podcasts by Chapter Using Downcast and Overcast for iOS
To understand just how easy it is to use Loopback with VoiceOver, Robert and Allison recommend this excellent
iBlind Tech Demo Podcast.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctors offer their opinions on the major hardware and software that Apple released in 2015. It was a very busy year with plenty of excitement along the way.

They begin with the opinion that
VoiceOver Accessibility
has steadily improved throughout the year. As of the end of 2015, the Tech Doctors are confident that VoiceOver is performing well on all of the Apple devices. The current versions of iOS 9, OS X WatchOS 2 and tvOS are all working well with VoiceOver.

The Tech Doctors next discuss the
Apple Watch.
Robert loves his watch and uses it every day both at work and at home. Allison has not integrated her watch into her life to the extent that Robert has,but she acknowledges that the watch improves with every software update. Allison expects to enjoy the watch a lot more in 2016.

Robert briefly discusses an app which allows one to silently check the time on the watch by detecting vibration patterns that represent the hours and minutes. The app is called
TimeBuzz.
Robert next briefly demonstrates an app called
iReg.
This app allows one to record audio directly on the Apple Watch.

The Tech Doctors talk briefly about the new
MacBook.
Neither Robert nor Allison have one but they believe that it is the beginning of a new and exciting next generation of Apple laptops.

The Tech Doctors are seriously enjoying
Apple Music.
They love having streaming access to more than 30 million songs on iTunes.

The Tech Doctors then spend some time on the
iPhone 6s Plus.
Allison and Robert are of the opinion that this is by far the best iPhone that they have ever owned.

The podcast finishes with a discussion of the new 4th generation
Apple TV,
iPad Pro
and
OS X El Capitan.

The Tech Doctors feel that Apple did a great job in 2015. They can’t wait to see what comes along in 2016.

Finally, Robert and Allison very much appreciate your support of the Tech Doctor podcast. We hope you will continue to listen as we are certain that the best is yet to come.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctors have the pleasure of talking with Lynnette Tatum and Maria Rios all about their new iOS app called MLWordTips.

For twenty years, Lynnette provided her students with notes on how to use Microsoft Word using the keyboard rather than the mouse. Lynnette turned these twenty years worth of notes into a beautiful iOS app making MS Word keyboard shortcuts accessible to everyone who has an iOS device.

Lynnette took us through how she got the idea for the app. She and Maria wrote and edited the content and Michael Doise of
iAccessibility
developed the app.

The Tech Doctors are of the opinion that this app is equally beneficial for blind and sighted people who want to get the most out of Microsoft Word. We congratulate Lynnette for having the courage and the passion to turn her idea into a product that everyone can purchase on the iOS app store.

Check out
MLWordTips
for yourself. Then, get to work and create an app of your own.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and Allison talk with Jeff Bishop, Alex Hall and Michael Doise about the development of the innovative iOS app for the American Council of the Blind called
ACB Link.

Jeff Bishop begins by taking us through the basic features and capabilities of the app. Michael Doise, the app’s developer, then talks with us about what it is like to take a set of ideas and turn them into a fully functioning iOS app.

The podcast then moves to a broader discussion of the accessibility of app development for people who are visually impaired and blind. Alex Hall tells us about a tutorial that he has published on
AppleVis
teaching VoiceOver users how to work with Xcode on the Mac. We learn that Apple has made it easy for developers to build VoiceOver accessible apps.

We conclude with the realization that app development is a viable career for blind and visually impaired people. Michael Doise tells us that his company called
iAccessibility
is interested in working with blind and low vision Apple developers. We see Apple app development as an excellent career opportunity for qualified blind and visually impaired people.

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This Tech Doctor Podcast is all about the new 4th generation
Apple TV

Robert and Allison spent the hour with
David Woodbridge.
At the time of this podcast, David has published 13 excellent podcasts teaching us to use the new Apple TV with VoiceOver. He says that he plans to publish at least 20 podcasts on the Apple TV.

We discuss the new hardware, describe how to set it up and talk about how this device differs from the third generation Apple TV. We agree that the new Siri remote and the ability to install apps from the Apple TV app store are the big changes available in this 4th generation Apple TV.

The three of us conclude, that once again, Apple has taken the lead on providing the most accessible set-top box that is currently available. We are really enjoying this new Apple TV. Sit back and let us tell you all about it.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert talk excitedly about the fabulous new hardware known as the iPhone 6s Plus. They are impressed with how solid and sturdy the phone feels and are pleased with the speed and smoothness of the phone’s operation. Robert briefly demonstrates the new 3D Touch feature. It works great with VoiceOver.

Robert and Allison spend some time discussing some VoiceOver bugs in iOS 9 and encourage VoiceOver users who haven’t upgraded to hold off until iOS 9.1 is released.

Finally, Robert and Allison discuss their lengthy and convoluted update to watchOS 2. Allison and Robert would like to see Apple simplify the process of updating and pairing the watch with a new iPhone.

Even with these problems, Allison and Robert are very excited about iOS 9 and watchOS 2. Apple is quickly fixing bugs and releasing updates. Without question, it will just get better from here.

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In this podcast, Allison and Robert cover the presentation that Apple did on September 9, 2015. This was a two hour and fifteen minute event filled with new product announcements.

We cover the information that was presented about Apple Watch, iPad Pro, Apple TV and iPhone.

Robert and Allison hope that their fabulous Tech Doctor listeners enjoy and benefit from our perspective on this extraordinary Apple event.

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Robert begins this Tech Doctor podcast by congratulating Allison on her appearance of Shelly Brisbin’s excellent new
The Parallels Podcast

Robert and Allison spend the remainder of the show talking with John Panarese, an experienced access technology teacher and certified Apple Consultant.

John has recently created a series of excellent audio tutorials teaching VoiceOver users how to get the most from the Mac and iOS. The tutorials are not operating system version dependent which makes them viable for iOS 9 and El Capitan. John’s clear, straightforward teaching style combined with his years of experience really makes these lessons easy to understand.

Robert plays a brief example of John’s lesson on the concept of “interaction” when using VoiceOver on the Mac. Robert hopes that this example will give you a flavor of just how clear and cogent these tutorials really are.

The audio tutorials are available for sale on John’s
Mac For The Blind
website. John describes the tutorials that are available at the time of recording and talks about plans to add more in the future. Robert and Allison encourage everyone to check them out.

John, Robert and Allison next spend a little time speculating about what Apple will likely announce in the September 9th event. We are excited.

Finally, Robert and Allison thank Allison Sheridan of the
NOLISSA Cast
for creating and helping Robert install a fabulous new logo for the Tech Doctor podcast.

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Whether or not to purchase an Apple Watch is a personal choice. There are many variables to consider. Fortunately, if you are a VoiceOver user, the Apple Watch is fully VoiceOver accessible.

For folks who would like to learn more about what it is like to use Apple Watch with VoiceOver, Anna Dresner has written a new book, in the style of a journal, describing her first month with the Apple Watch.

In this podcast, Allison and Robert talk with Anna about the book. We all agree that this book is great for people who are considering the watch and for those who already have it but want to brush up on how to get the most out of Apple Watch while running VoiceOver.

As always, Anna writes in her clear easy-to-read style telling us what worked well for her and what didn’t work so well.

At only ten dollars, this is a must have for anyone interested in Apple Watch. To purchase the book and to get more information, go to the
Watching Without Looking
website. Anna will be publishing a free update to the book when Apple Watch OS 2 is released later this year.

Along with Anna’s book, the Tech Doctors recommend the excellent series of podcasts that
David Woodbridge
did covering every aspect of using Apple Watch with VoiceOver. The Tech Doctors also recommend the Apple Watch User Guide available for free in the
iBook store.

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In this episode of the Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert have the pleasure of talking with fellow podcaster, technical writer and soon to be app developer Aleen Simms.

Aleen’s podcast called
Less Than Or Equal
has recently become one of Robert and Allison’s favorite podcast.

Aleen talks with people who love what they do but also face adversity because of gender, race, sexual orientation, disability or some other characteristic that results in one feeling marginalized.

This podcast is like a breath of fresh air. Allison and Robert applaud Aleen for her courage, empathy, and straightforward approach to the exploration of these sensitive and complex issues. The Tech Doctors recommend that everyone subscribe and benefit as we do from the Less Than Or Equal podcast.

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