Double Tap

Today on the show, Steven welcomes special guest Robert Kingett, a blind author, accessibility consultant and journalist. The conversation delves into Robert's background and his journey as a journalist who is blind, providing a unique perspective on advocacy and how it has evolved for him over time. A significant part of the discussion revolves around the importance of learning Braille and the challenges of learning it later in life. Robert shares his personal experience of sudden vision loss and how it impacted his life, highlighting the importance of technology in bridging the gap between people who are disabled and non-disabled. Robert also opens up about his turbulent childhood, growing up with a single mother struggling with drug addiction. He talks about the importance of control and stability in his life, and how technology and creative pursuits provided that for him. The conversation then shifts to Robert's educational journey, where he shares his decision to attend a school for the blind. Steven and Robert discuss the importance of providing children with the tools they need to succeed, regardless of their visual abilities. To learn more about Robert, visit his website: https://blindjournalist.wordpress.com/ Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the Express Edition, Steven and Shaun look back at the week's news in tech with Grace Scoffield reading through some of the big headlines of the week, including the latest on the chaos at Open AI, Apple gives in on RCS messaging and Sonos sets out to launch headphones in 2024. There's also a chance to catch up on the conversation following Mike Calvo's exclusive interview with us regarding the Humane AI launch, with listener Stan being our final voice on the subject. There's also a catch up with Mark Walker from the UK charity AbilityNet sharing his thoughts on this year's TechShare Pro event, and Shaun provides a detailed look at how to use the new AI-based Microsoft Disability Answer Desk service via Be My Eyes. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the phenomenon that is Black Friday and Steven shares some of the wacky purchases he has made recently which have turned out to be pretty useful. Steven also shares his thoughts on a recent episode of the UnMute Presents podcast, hosted by friends of the show Michael Babcock and Damashe Thomas. It's all about staying safe online this holiday season and offering tips to help you avoid scams. Check out the episode here: https://unmute.show/2023/11/23/staying-safe-during-the-holidays/ Also, there are more of your comments and feedback, including questions surrounding the new hearing aid capability within MacBooks, and a request for a review of smart toasters. Plus there's more feedback on our Holiday Gift Guide that listeners are continuing to contribute to. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun continue the discussion around life as two people who are blind, sharing a recent experience that has got Steven thinking. Also, there's more reaction to the interview with Mike Calvo's thoughts on Humane's AI Pin and more comments on the subject of life with blindness. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTaP

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the latest fallout from the chaos at Open AI following the firing, and now return of CEO Sam Altman. However, the main conversation today follows reaction to the CEO of Pneuma Solutions, Mike Calvo, and the interview we broadcast airing his views on the launch of the Humane AI Pin and his concerns over the lack of any mention of disability or accessibility in the marketing. Today we hear your feedback from that interview and it's fair to say it is a mixed bag of responses. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss how they have been upsetting podcasters. Well, one in particular. It's all good fun, though, and we hope lovely Jenine from That Real Blind Tech Show enjoys her new nickname from the guys; find out more today on the show. Also, there's a lot of continuing chat around the subject of blindness and today we hear more of the stories and experiences you have kindly shared with us. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the unexpected dismissal of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. This significant move was prompted by a reported loss of confidence in his leadership abilities. While the tech industry is abuzz with reactions to these developments, Steven and Shaun offer their opinions and what might happen next. Also, Mark Walker from AbilityNet joins the conversation to talk about the recent TechShare Pro event, where AI's integration with accessibility was a major focus. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the Express, Steven and Shaun learn about what's next for Vispero's Next Big Thing, and we hear what the CEO of Pneuma Solutions thinks about the launch of the Humane AI Pin. Plus there's a review of new MacBook Pros running the latest M3 processors. Grace Scoffield joins the team, bringing us the latest news in tech, and Ryan Jones, the VP of Software at Vispero, drops by following the announcement of the winner of their Next Big Thing contest this week. Also, Mike Calvo, the CEO of Pneuma Solutions, airs his thoughts on the launch of the AI Pin from Humane, suggesting that the lack of any mention of disability or accessibility was a major failing of the company. And there's the reaction to the newest MacBook Pro releases from Apple, with Patrick O'Rourke joining Marc Aflalo to discuss what's new, and how good they actually are. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss CEO of Pneuma Solutions Mike Calvo's reaction to Humane's launch of the AI Pin, which he says failed to address the device’s accessibility for disabled people. Also, there's more of your emails and feedback, including questions on the best accessible games out there for blind people who aren't necessarily "gamers," and there's a suggestion on a good tech-enabled way to mark up your trash cans. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the big news from Be My Eyes that it has partnered with Microsoft to create the first AI virtual assistant for its Disability Answer Desk. Read more here: https://doubletaponair.com/be-my-eyes-ai-customer-support/ There's also news from HumanWare regarding their Victor Reader Stream 3: you can now access TuneIn via the accessible audio player. Read more here: https://doubletaponair.com/tunein-partners-with-humanware-to-enhance-audio-accessibility/ Plus listener Callum asks about the pitfalls of using a Braille display across two machines - one real and one virtual - if he chose to get a new Mac with silicon chips. And Steven has a question for you: what's your favourite and most usable navigation app? Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

On today’s show, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece discussed the result of the Next Big Thing contest from Vispero, highlighting winner Abby Duffy’s AI-based image recognition feature suggestion. Also, there was much discussion following listener Matthew’s email on transitioning from a Mac studio to a Windows setup for music production, as he sought advice on audio routing options, equipment choices, and accessibility-friendly backup solutions. With the holiday season in mind, Stephen introduced the Double Tap Holiday Gift Guide 2023, inviting listener contributions for accessible gift ideas. Find out more at www.doubletaponair.com; search for Gift Guide or find the link to submit on the homepage Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss a new screen reader proposed by a Portuguese developer who is blind, in reaction to what he considers "neglect" on the part of Apple and VoiceOver. Read more about the newly proposed screenreader, called Vosh, here: https://doubletaponair.com/could-a-new-screenreader-for-mac-be-on-the-way/ Also, we meet VP of Software at Vispero, Ryan Jones, and returning champion VP of Vispero, Matt Ater, to discuss the Next Big Thing contest from the company which announces its winner today. Read more about the Next Big Thing contest here: https://doubletaponair.com/visperos-next-big-thing-contest-announces-winner-tonight/ And there's more of your feedback, including a query on avoiding turning on the iPhone flashlight by accident, and what to expect when you're expecting a Braille display. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss Steven's latest new obsession: buying and cancelling MacBook orders! He details his thoughts on what he wants versus what he actually needs, so the big question is: what did he buy in the end? Also with the news of a new Amazon OS on the way, what will it mean for accessibility? And what should our response be when it comes to reacting to the lack of accessibility news in new products? Should we get annoyed or just wait in line? And why is Shaun upsetting listeners? You'll have to tune in to find out! Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun are joined by Grace Scoffield to go over the big news stories of the week, including Open AI's huge conference for developers, Be My Eyes reaction, and Elon Musk claiming to be able to restore vision to the blind. Also, there's an in-depth discussion about the new Braille learning tool called "Annie" from ThinkerBell Labs, which will be sold in the UK and other countries by Humanware. Michael Babcock also joins us for two Mac demos, one on using the NumPad Commander to control your device, and also how to get clipboard history using a Mac app called Launcher. Following our discussion on being blind over the last week, we hand the mic over to you and hear your take on the challenges of telling others about your blindness and how you come to terms with it yourself. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

On today’s show, Steven and Shaun discuss the launch of a brand new product: the Humane AI Pin. They talk about its features and implications, including its subscription-based model and its potential impact on accessibility. We also hear from Michael Babcock about a feature on macOS VoiceOver called NumPad Commander, which allows for greater customization and accessibility on Mac devices. Steven and Shaun also hear about updates on the accessibility of WhatsApp on Mac from listener Gordon, and Steven shares his tips on how to use hotspots to navigate apps like WhatsApp more easily. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun find out about Annie, an innovative Braille learning tool. Developed by Thinkerbell Labs and distributed by HumanWare in the UK, it promises to make learning Braille an enjoyable experience for children as they can learn on their own, although it can also be used in a classroom environment. Andrew Flatres from HumanWare joins the guys to shed light on Annie's functionality, design elements, and educational value. There's also a chat about the AI Pin by Humane, which is being launched today. It's a remarkable wearable AI assistant that lets users perform tasks like making calls, sending texts, and identifying objects using an onboard camera, all through voice commands and without the need for a screen. The AI Pin, powered by OpenAI's GPT, stands out for its commitment to user privacy and represents a significant step towards more accessible tech solutions for those with visual impairments. There are more of your comments too, with listeners sharing more of their relatable experiences and stories from the blind community, including insights on sighted guide techniques and the challenges of navigating public spaces. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X: @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss more around the topic of accepting our sight loss, and listeners Tim, Elmer and Greg join the conversation. There's also a lot of talk about air fryers following our chat with Cobolt Systems in the UK after they announced their new talking air fryer. There's even a suggestion of an accessible recipe guide from the Double Tappers, which will add to the guide for knitting we are seemingly building too! But like all good movies, we get to the point at the end, and talk about Windows and Mac issues in recovery mode, and Steven still ponders which Mac to buy, if any at all! Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun review the first-ever Open AI DevDay for developers to learn about what the company has to offer those who want to build the next iteration of artificially intelligent applications and services. In the audience was Mike Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes, who was called out on stage by Sam Altman, the CEO of Open AI, as a prime example of how AI can be used for good. Mike Buckley joins the guys to give his reaction to the conference and also chat about ongoing development within the Be My Eyes app itself. Plus we hear your reaction to Steven's comments about living with blindness. Many of you reacted to this and we'll hear your thoughts today. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun continue their long-running discussion on how AI will impact our lives. Today's chat centres on the conversation between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the owner of X, Elon Musk, as well as the upcoming Open AI conference taking place today (November 6th). Also, we talk about the updates to NVDA that mean the end of support for Windows 7, and Michael Babcock is back with a demo of how to get an accessible clipboard manager for the Mac. And we debut our brand new website for all of you to enjoy - visit www.doubletaponair.com to find out more. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Today on the Express, Steven and Shaun are joined by Grace Scoffield to share the week's news in tech, featuring Apple's "Scary Fast" event, news about Seleste audio and video glasses and Pringles making its chips more accessible. Plus, there's a conversation with Karl from Cobolt Systems in the UK following their announcement of a new talking air fryer, and we revisit our conversation with Daniel Lubiner from the TouchPad Pro Foundation to learn about the origins of the Braille Doodle learning device for learning braille following the news the product is now in the manufacturing process. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap