Top Tech Tidbits Podcast Top Tech Tidbits

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, January 4th 2024.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 access technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in access technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, THE ACCESSIBILITY GUY.
 
The Accessibility Guy website provides comprehensive, high-quality resources dedicated to promoting and properly implementing accessibility.
 
The site's blog covers critical topics in accessibility, including making Word, PDF, and PowerPoint files accessible, closed captioning, and assistive technology.
 
The site’s founder, Shawn Jordison, brings over 13 years of experience in the field and is committed to providing equal access to information for all, with expertise in document accessibility, captioning, assistive technology, and accessibility best practices​​​​​​​​.
Shawn offers specialized training, consulting, and document services to ensure compliance with various standards such as WCAG, Section 508, and PDF UA.
 
Learn more today at: THEACCESSIBILITYGUY.COM.
 
And at #5 this week...
 
Microsoft Ending Support For Windows 10 Could Send 240 Million PCs To Landfills By ITNews.com Australia
 
Microsoft's plan to end support for the Windows 10 operating system could result in about 240 million personal computers (PCs) being disposed of, potentially adding to landfill waste, Canalys Research said.
 
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/microsoft-ending-support-for-windows-10-could-send-240-million-pcs-to-landfills-603662
 
And at #4 this week...
 
Buying A New Phone? This Is How Much Smartphone Storage You Really Need By TomsGuide.com
 
We use our smartphones for everything these days. From texting to photography, to web browsing and online gaming, there's really nothing an iPhone or Android can't handle. That is, until your phone's internal storage is depleted.
 
https://www.tomsguide.com/features/buying-a-new-phone-this-is-how-much-smartphone-storage-you-need
 
And at #3 this week...
 
Attend the Screen Reader User Tester Training Program at the Carroll Center for the Blind By Carroll Center for the Blind
 
Launch your career in the field of digital accessibility! The Carroll Center for the Blind's new 7-week intensive Screen Reader User Tester Training Program allows participants to learn and grow their ability to professionally explore, test, and report findings regarding the accessibility of websites, mobile applications, and digital document files using screen readers.
 
Want to learn more? Start your journey to becoming a Screen Reader User Tester today.
 
https://carroll.org/screen-reader-user-tester-training-program/
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
Screen Reader Users And The Tab Key By TemperTemper.net
 
Screen reader users who use a laptop or desktop computer generally (though not always) use their keyboard to control their screen reader software.
 
But that doesn't mean they use the keyboard like a keyboard-only user.
 
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/screen-reader-users-and-the-tab-key
 
And at number #1 this week …
 
Microsoft Copilot's ChatGPT-Like App Lands On Android, With iOS Version Coming Soon By WindowsLatest.com
 
Microsoft Copilot's ChatGPT-like app has finally arrived on Android, nearly two weeks after the tech giant announced its web version. As of this recording, Microsoft has also released the iOS version of its Copilot app, an additional update that was not available at the time of the original posting.
 
https://www.windowslatest.com/2023/12/26/microsoft-copilot-app-lands-on-android-w

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, December 28th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 access technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in access technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, GLIDANCE.
 
Glidance is a company at the forefront of assistive mobility technologies.
 
Their flagship product, Glide, is a revolutionary self-guided mobility assistant, designed to empower individuals with sight loss.
 
Glide offers a unique blend of features such as intelligent obstacle avoidance, precision indoor and outdoor navigation, active scene description and compatibility with popular navigation apps.
 
With its advanced Glidance AI, Glide provides real-time data for the best routes and obstacle avoidance, enhancing independence and confidence in navigation.
 
With Glide, Glidance imagines a world where every person with sight loss can confidently explore and engage with their surroundings.
 
Learn more today at: GLIDANCE.IO.
 
And at #5 this week...
 
RIMFest Is In Full Force, And There's Free Admission! Provide Accessible Remote Support With Remote Incident Manager Completely Free Of Charge Until January 2, 2024. Lock In Unlimited Weekend Support For Just $50!
 
In the spirit of the holiday season, we proudly offer all users of Remote Incident Manager (RIM) all the time you want, when you want it, from now until January 2nd, 2024!
 
During this time, you will have access to all features and functionalities of the Remote Incident Manager, giving you an excellent opportunity to make the most out of the world's only fully accessible remote support application!
 
There's never been a better time to get in on the action!
Simply download your copy to your PC or Mac today, click the “Provide Help Now” button, register, and the free access is yours!
 
But Wait, There's More!
 
During this twelve day event, you can cash in on an opportunity to ring in the new year with more unlimited RIM time! Back by popular demand, our weekend support package can once again be yours for a discounted annual rate of $50! Whatever you do, we at Pneuma Solutions wish all of you the happiest of holidays, and many fulfilling hours of accessible remote technical support!
 
https://pneumasolutions.com/on-the-first-day-of-rimfest-we-at-pneuma-give-to-you/
 
And at #4 this week...
 
Now You Can Talk to an AI Santa Claus With Fixie's HiSanta.ai By David Goldfield
 
David Writes: I couldn't resist writing about this very cool Santa AI. HiSanta.ai is a conversational AI from Fixie, which provides conversational AI chat agents. HiSanta consists of two different Santa Claus personas, the nice, friendly Santa and the grumpy bad Santa. Deselecting the check box on the main page gives you access to the grumpy Santa, which I found to be extremely entertaining. It honestly had me laughing harder than I've laughed in quite some time. This service took me back to that nostalgic excitement that I remember as a kid when I heard about new phone numbers offering some new form of phone-based entertainment. To use this service you'll need to ensure that your browser has permission to use your device's microphone, at least on this particular site. Enjoy!
 
https://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com/2023/12/20/now-you-can-talk-to-an-ai-santa-claus-with-fixies-hisanta-ai/
 
And at #3 this week...
 
This Week in Accessibility Podcast for December 14, 2023: Reviewing the Year in Accessible Video Games By DelgadilloAccess.com
 
Gaming journalist and accessibility consultant Victor Dima joins the show and looks back at 2023 in accessib

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, December 21st 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 access technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in access technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, ECHOBATIX.
 
Echobatix develops accessibility products and indoor navigation systems for the blind, deafblind and those with low vision.
 
Their technology complements the use of a cane or guide dog and your existing Orientation and Mobility (O&M) skills.
 
Learn more today at: ECHOBATIX.COM.
 
And at #5 this week...
 
Alphabetical List of VoiceOver Sonoma Commands By Debee Via The Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN)
 
The table below is an alphabetical list of VoiceOver specific Sonoma commands. I retrieved all of these from the latest Sonoma user guide, but have shortened the command descriptions extensively. The goal is to have a cheat sheet that's quick and easy to read with magnification, speech, or Braille, using the fewest words possible:
 
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/210.html
 
And at #4 this week...
 
Sony's Latest Access Controller Highlights Major Challenges in Adaptive Gaming By Aaron Di Blasi Via Top Tech Tidbits
 
In a significant move towards inclusive gaming, Sony has unveiled the Access controller, a device specifically designed to cater to the needs of gamers with disabilities. This development marks a pivotal moment in the adaptive gaming hardware landscape, joining the ranks of the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the Nintendo-licensed Hori Flex for current-generation consoles:
 
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/213.html
 
And at #3 this week...
 
6 Things You Can Do With Windows Copilot By HowToGeek.com
 
Windows Copilot is Microsoft's AI-powered assistant that comes integrated into Windows 11, with plans to feature it in Windows 10 at the time of writing. Like a copilot in the cockpit, Windows Copilot can help you with various tasks as you use your computer. Here's what it can do:
 
https://www.howtogeek.com/things-you-can-do-with-windows-copilot/
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
JAWS Power Tip: How To Compose and Send Messages in Gmail Standard View with JAWS By Freedom Scientific
 
You can compose and send messages using Google keyboard shortcuts. One way to do this is with the JAWS Virtual PC cursor toggled off. If it’s on, press INSERT+Z to turn it off. To compose a message, follow these steps:
 
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/214.html
 
And at number #1 this week …
 
Google Announces New Features In Talkback 14.1 By DoubleTap
 
Google has launched a major new release of TalkBack, the screen reader application included within Android smartphones. The new 14.1 update brings notable updates for braille users, keyboard navigation, and image descriptions:
 
https://doubletaponair.com/google-announces-new-features-in-talkback-14-1/
 
And that's the scoop for this week.
 
Remember that links to each of the articles announced today can be found within the transcript below, or atop the newsletter that went out this morning. If you'd like to sponsor, support, or just receive the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter, please visit, TopTechTidbits.com today.
 
If you’d like to take an even deeper dive into access information with weekly editorials, op-eds, and reviews, I encourage you to check out our sister publication, Access Information News. Learn more today at AccessInformationNews.com.
 
Until next week my friends. Take care of yourselves, and each other.
 
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What Is The Top Tech Tidbits Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, December 14th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, AYES.AI.
 
New York-based startup AYES.ai is the developer of the OKO app. The OKO app represents a significant advancement in aiding the blind and visually impaired in navigating city streets.
 
The app ingeniously merges artificial intelligence (AI) with smartphone technology, using AI to analyze live camera footage to recognize traffic signals in real time.
 
The app is trained on thousands of crossings, providing a variety of feedback mechanisms, including visual overlays, audio feedback, and vibrations, catering to different levels of visual impairment. Having already assisted in over one million intersection crossings, OKO demonstrates the remarkable potential of AI for societal good, embodying both technological innovation and empathy.
 
As AYES continues to explore further needs within the visually impaired community, OKO is rapidly becoming an essential navigational tool and a companion for those facing daily mobility challenges​​.
 
Learn more today at: AYES.AI.
 
And at #5 this week …
 
AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for November 2023
 
https://www.applevis.com/newsletter/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-november-2023
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
BrailleBot Teaches You How to Read with Your Fingers By Cameron Coward Via Hackster.io
 
Learning Braille is hard for many people, which is why Mukesh Sankhla invented the BrailleBot for Braille training.
 
BrailleBot has six holes on its top surface and can extend small pins through those holes to create any Braille character at any time.
 
Combined with an audio system that speaks those characters aloud, this is the perfect device for learning Braille.
 
Like popular language training apps, it can introduce new characters gradually through repetition and increase the complexity over time until the user becomes fluent in Braille.
 
https://www.hackster.io/news/braillebot-teaches-you-how-to-read-with-your-fingers-a5e0ae4a8283
 
And at #3 this week...
 
Smart Glasses Use ChatGPT To Help The Blind And Visually Impaired By 5G Playbook Via Business Insider
 
Envision Glasses are AI-powered smart glasses that help people who are blind or have low vision to live more independently.
 
This assistive wearable technology uses ChatGPT and Google Glass hardware to capture and convert the visual information around the user into speech.
 
And thanks to more widespread 5G networks, these smart glasses are able to process this information much more quickly, providing a much more seamless experience for visually impaired users.
 
Take a look at how the Envision Glasses work, and how they assist the blind and visually impaired:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w36gKjepUNg
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
JAWS Power Tip: How To Turn On Keyboard Shortcuts In Gmail In Standard View With JAWS By Freedom Scientific
 
Google provides keyboard commands specific to Gmail. Though they are not screen reader dependent and can be used by everyone, they may be especially helpful to JAWS users when navigating with the JAWS Virtual PC Cursor off. To use these commands, you will need to turn them on in Settings. Here's how:
 
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/209.html
 
And at number #1 this week …
Quick Tip For Users of iOS 17: What Can You Do To Temporarily Disable Siri's Follow-up Mode

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, December 7th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, Sterling Adaptives.
 
Based in the North Bay, Sterling Adaptives supplies the most technologically advanced equipment and software currently available. They serve those who are blind or have low vision as well as persons with other disabilities.
 
They have a showroom in Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa, CA and can meet with you there or provide demonstrations in the comfort of your own home.
 
They supply a full range of computer hardware and software, peripherals and assistive technology products.
And can support these products with free demonstrations, installations, full hardware and software troubleshooting, and/or ongoing product training.
 
They work in unison with private individuals, non-profit agencies, private organizations, educational establishments, and commercial enterprises to help their customers fully realize their potential.
 
They are known for providing the standards of service that you demand. Standards that result in the right product at the right time with the right back up service.
 
Learn more today at: STERLINGADAPTIVES.COM.
 
And at #5 this week …
 
6 Tips To Spot Misinformation On The Web By Aaron Di Blasi Via Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
 
Ah, the internet! A vast ocean of knowledge, cat videos, and, unfortunately, a fair share of nonsense. So, how do we separate the wheat from the digital chaff? Let's dive in:
 
https://mvsltd.com/news/6-tips-to-spot-misinformation-on-the-web/
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
Experimenting with Be My Eyes and Videos By The Idea Place
 
I suspect anyone who has tried some of the newer, AI-based, image descriptions, such as those from Be My Eyes, has noticed the high quality descriptions that are available.
 
I've been curious about how I could apply that to videos so did a little experimenting.
 
I want to emphasize that I do not consider this a replacement for audio description.
 
There is so much more to that experience than just giving details on what's in an image:
 
https://theideaplace.net/experimenting-with-be-my-eyes-and-videos/
 
And at #3 this week...
 
No, You Don't Need to Turn Off Apple's NameDrop Feature in iOS 17 Via Wired
 
Yes, your iPhone automatically turns on NameDrop with the latest software update. But you shouldn't really be worried about it — regardless of what the police are saying:
 
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-iphone-namedrop-ios17/
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
Amazon Launches Q, A Business Chatbot Powered By Generative Artificial Intelligence
 
The tech giant will launch Q — a business chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence. The announcement, made in Las Vegas at an annual conference the company hosts for its AWS cloud computing service, represents Amazon's response to rivals who've rolled out chatbots that have captured the public's attention:
 
https://apnews.com/article/amazon-chatbot-q-chatgpt-09964d52076b1db7df8cca695423661f
 
And at number #1 this week …
 
AI Is Going Great For The Blind By Robert Kingett
 
Robert writes: As I was looking at the amount of times platforms died on the web and I began thinking about the slow death of AI enthusiasm and what that will do to the Blind community. It really is a bizarre feeling when you're the only detractor of a thing within your own community. My first post about AI

Hello and welcome, to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast For Thursday, November 30th 2023.
 
My name is Aaron Di Blasi and I am the acting Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
 
The Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits are those 5 adaptive technology news items that have received the most clicks from Top Tech Tidbits readers in the last week.
 
These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
 
This podcast brought to you by, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
 
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, or blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
 
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. They produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and U.S. Military. They also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast.
 
Learn more today at: LHBLIND.ORG.
 
And at number #5 this week …
 
How To Create Your Own Chatbot With ChatGPT By Christoph Schwaiger Via Tom's Guide
 
More people are using AI chatbots as their personal assistant for work and leisure as the bots' abilities and knowledge increase.
 
But nothing says personal like having your own custom chatbot that you've designed, trained, and named yourself.
 
That's possible in a few easy steps thanks to the GPT builder created by OpenAI! Oh, and none of these steps require you to know how to code:
 
https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-create-your-own-chatbot-with-chatgpt
 
And at number #4 this week …
 
Double Tap Holiday Gift Guide 2023
 
Everyone loves a gift at the holidays, but we thought here at Double Tap - why not create our own gift guide together? Let's put all our suggestions into one place so we can all enjoy either buying a friend or family member a cool ‘blind-person recommended’ gadget, or treat ourselves to a festive treat.
 
Submit your thoughts here, and if Santa's elves approve, it'll display on this page for all to see. Choose the 'Add an item' link to get started, and add your favorite gadget to the Double Tap Holiday Gift Guide for 2023! Happy Holidays!
 
https://doubletaponair.com/2023-gift-guide/
 
And at # 3 this week...
 
Announcing AI-Content-Describer: NVDA Add-On That Provides Descriptions For Controls And Images, Powered By GPT4 By Chris Smart Via The Tech-VI List
 
This add-on makes it possible to obtain detailed descriptions of images and other visually inaccessible content.
 
Leveraging the multimodal capabilities of the GPT-4 large language model, we aim to deliver best-in-class content descriptions.
 
More information on the underlying model here. More information on the add-on here:
 
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/5621
 
And at number #2 this week …
 
Want To Speak With ChatGPT? Chatbot's Voice Feature Now Available For Everyone, Including Free Users By Rafly Pratama Via MSPowerUser.com
 
Forget the recent leadership saga at OpenAI. Just today, the Microsoft-backed AI giant is finally rolling out its ChatGPT with voice feature for everyone, including those using the free, GPT-3.5 plan. You can now talk to ChatGPT just like you would talk to a person:
 
https://mspoweruser.com/speak-with-chatgpt-with-voice-availability/
 
And at #1 this week …
 
43 Microsoft Edge Keyboard Shortcuts To Remember For Stylish And Speedy Web Surfing By Onmsft.com
 
Scrolling through the list of Microsoft Edge k