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Meeting summary
Quick recap
The Tech Doctor podcast team discussed Apple’s recent product announcements, including the MacBook Air M5, MacBook Pro M5, iPhone 17E, iPad Air, and MacBook Neo. They analyzed the features, pricing, and potential market impact of each device, with particular focus on the MacBook Neo’s limited RAM and targeted education market. The team agreed that while most of the new releases were solid improvements, the MacBook Neo may struggle to meet the needs of power users and developers. They also noted that Apple’s decision to release products via press statements rather than events was effective for conveying detailed information.

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Meeting summary

Quick recap

The Tech Doctor podcast featured a detailed discussion about the upcoming HumanWare BrailleNote Evolve, presented by David Woodbridge, who shared extensive insights about the device’s features and functionality. David explained that the Evolve runs Windows 11 Pro. It has a 32-cell Braille display with a dedicated Braille style keyboard, and includes 512GB storage, 32GB RAM, and an Ultra 5 processor. The Evolve does not have a built-in screen. He described how the device can be used with both NVDA and JAWS, and detailed the various input methods including the unique FN key system for accessing numbers and function keys. The discussion covered the device’s pricing ($6,100 USD), battery life (8 hours), and included features like Thunderbolt ports, HDMI output, and NFC capabilities for future smartphone integration.

Allison shared her positive first impressions after seeing the device, while Robert and David discussed the device’s potential impact on the Windows-based note-taker market.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and Allison orient you to the Digital Advanced Player 2 from the National Library Service. Using both demos and discussion, they take you through an orientation to the layout and location of all of the buttons and ports on the player. They demonstrate how to use the key describer mode and how to navigate the User Guide. They walk you through the player’s menus and they demonstrate how to use the player to search for, download and play books from the NLS BARD collection.

This Digital Advanced Player 2 is available to all NLS patrons. If you feel that you can benefit from having one, the tech doctors encourage you to contact your state library and request one.

If you have any comments or questions for the tech doctors, click

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to email us.

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In this brief podcast, Robert and Allison explain that the Tech Doctor Podcast has prevailed through some difficult technical issues that kept us from podcasting much for the last few months.

Now that the technical problems are behind us, the Tech Doctors have decided to get back to podcasting with an even greater commitment to provide you with all of the information that you need to make good decisions about your technology.

Stay tuned for lots of in depth interviews and quality product demos.

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In this podcast, The tech doctors discussed Apple’s WWDC 2025 announcements, covering new features and updates across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS platforms. They explored the introduction of AI advancements, accessibility improvements, and design changes like the “liquid glass” interface, as well as enhancements to various apps and services. The group shared their impressions and concerns about the updates, particularly focusing on accessibility features and the potential impact on user experience.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert begins by speaking with the CEO of Orbit Research, Venkatesh Chari, about the Orbit Player. This product is in the late stages of development and is expected to be available sometime during the summer of 2025. The Orbit Player is a very small but full featured book and media player with a telephone style keypad and a good sounding speaker. Venkatesh explained that Orbit Research was able to create this high quality but very affordable player by doing the development and manufacturing in India.

Venkatesh describes how the Orbit Player has gone from a product designed to provide accessible and affordable technology for blind people in India to a product that will soon be available in the United States and eventually worldwide.

The remainder of the podcast is spent with Robert providing a comprehensive demonstration of a pre-released version of the Orbit Player.

There is more information about the Orbit Player on the
Orbit Research
website.

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In this episode of the Tech Doctor podcast, the Tech Doctors welcome special guest Nicole Bond and Tim Noonan.

Nicole and Tim were Braille ’n Speak users who enthusiastically explained why they loved the Braille ’n Speak. Nicole got her Braille ’n Speak at age 7 and used it through college. Tim used the Braille ’n Speak both on the job and in his personal life.

Robert, also a Braille ’n Speak user provided some historical context and talked about his role as a Braille ’n Speak beta tester.

Allison, Robert, Tim and Nicole are all now BT Speak users. They explain how the BT Speak has filled the void that was left during the many years  when there was no Braille ’n Speak like device available.

They also looked at how far the BT Speak has come in a little less than a year. Tim demonstrated some examples of how the BT Speak is evolving to meet the needs of its users. In a future update, the BT Speak will offer a One Handed Mode for people who need it. There will be a new much advanced way of managing multiple files in the editor and the famous Braille ’n Speak Append Mode is coming to the BT Speak.

As exciting as all of this is, at only one year old, the BT Speak is just getting started. The Tech Doctors will report new developments as they unfold. Stay tuned. We will be back.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks with seven members of the team at Blazie Technologies. The people who were interviewed included Deane Blazie, his three sons, Bryan, Chris and Stephen, Steve Clower, David Goldfield and Tim Noonan.

Each member of the Blazie Technologies team stressed their commitment to allowing the customer to be the guiding force behind the development of the BT Speak. They encouraged their customers to let them know what features and capabilities they wanted and needed in the BT Speak..

After summarizing and demonstrating some of the new features of the BT Speak that became available in the January 2025 update, They answered questions and took comments from  the audience that was participating live in the Zoom meeting.

The Blazie Technologies team demonstrated their willingness and desire to listen to and respond to their customers  with understanding, kindness and appreciation. It was refreshing to see this type of interaction between the developers and their customers.

Click

Here

to go to the Blazie Technologies website where you can find out all about the BT Speak.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, David Woodbridge puts on his brand new HumanWare employee hat and teaches us all about the new Braille and graphics tablet from HumanWare and the American Printing House for the Blind.

David describes the Monarch and walks us through its various features and options.

After listening to the podcast, you may want more information about the Monarch or any of the other HumanWare products mention in the podcast. You can go
Here
To learn more.

If you would like to get in touch with David, you can email him
Here.

The TechDoctors are excited about this new generation of Braille tablet that can display both text and graphics. It makes the future look promising not only for blind students but for anybody who enjoys learning new things.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctors explore all that Apple announced in their September 2024 Event.

New Apple Watches, AirPods and iPhones were announced.

Sit back and listen as we tell you all about it.

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