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This time on the Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert have the pleasure of talking with Seth McFarland, the developer of one of their favorite iOS apps. Downcast is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to either stream or download podcasts to an iOS device.

In addition to talking about our favorite Downcast features, Seth tells us what it is like to be an Apple developer. We learn that Apple has provided developers with the tools to make their apps work properly with VoiceOver.

We were pleased to learn that Seth is currently developing a version of Downcast for the Mac. It will use iCloud to keep podcasts synced between the Mac and iOS devices.

Finally, as we talked with Seth, it became obvious that he sincerely cares about the Downcast customers. This relationship between developer and customer is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of belonging to the Apple community.

Be sure to check out
Downcast
in the iOS app store. We are confident that you will love it.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert and Allison talk with Darren Burton the Project Manager at the Technical Evaluation Services branch of The American Foundation for the Blind.

Darren is heading up the development of a new iOS app called “AccessNote.” Darren explains the philosophy behind the creation of AccessNote and walks us through an excellent demonstration of this exciting app.

AccessNote
is currently available in the iOS app store.

Check it out.

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In this “Hodge-Podge-Cast” Allison and Robert discuss several software and hardware applications and products.

For more information, click on any of the following links.
BrailleTouch
Fleksy
Voice Dream Reader
AfterShokz Bone Conduction headphones
DownCast
Audible Audio Books App
mySpot
File Transporter

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Allison and Robert invite two special guests to participate in an iPhone touch screen typing competition.

The tools that were used included a Braille Sense, BrailleTouch, Fleksy, the regular iPhone keyboard and Allison’s trusty stopwatch.

Robert inflicts each and every listener with his over-the-top and usually misunderstood sense of humor. Allison does her best to keep the wheels from completely falling off of the wagon.

After extensive deliberation, we have concluded that you will experience no permanent damaged from listening to this episode. At the same time, we encourage you not to try anything that is done here unless, of course, you are either under the strict supervision of a two year old or a very responsible guide dog.

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In this podcast, Robert and Allison speak with Caleb Southern. Caleb is a doctoral student studying computer science at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta.

While researching sight free options for entering data on touch screens and mobile devices, Caleb and his colleagues developed a virtual braille keyboard for the iPhone’s touch screen. The virtual braille keyboard allows users to input text using the familiar six dot combinations that are used on a standard braille keyboard to input characters, numbers and punctuation symbols. Fitting six fingers on a small touch screen can best be done by entering the braille patterns vertically as opposed to the horizontal key placement on a traditional braille keyboard. Vertical entry requires that one learn to hold the phone correctly. Learning to hold the phone is a critical first step in becoming proficient with BrailleTouch. Allison and Robert describe their experiences with BrailleTouch. Robert reports that he is able to enter between 25 and 30 words a minute after only a few days of practice. Both Allison and Robert found it easy to become proficient with BrailleTouch. Others seem to find getting started more difficult. Caleb recommends that everyone study the user’s guide. He also offers to assist anyone who contacts him.

At present, BrailleTouch only supports uncontracted braille and editing is limited to the ability backspace to remove an unwanted character. Caleb says that grade II braille is a priority for a future release. He also has plans to offer more editing options.

To obtain more information, visit the
BrailleTouch website

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In Android Accessibility Part Three, the Tech Doctor interviews four Nexus 7 users. Each person discusses their unique experiences with the device including getting started with accessibility and accessing favorite applications.

Thanks Chris Grabowski, Ricky Enger, Pratik Patel and Allison Hartley for sharing your insights and expertise with the Tech Doctor listeners.

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In Android Accessibility Part two, the Tech Doctor described using the Android screen reader called TalkBack to search for, purchase, configure and begin using six popular apps. He made some comparisons with using similar apps with VoiceOver on the Apple platform.

The six apps are: gmail, iBlink Radio, a Twitter client called Plume, Google Play Books, a podcasting app called DoggCatcher and an app called Presto which gives DoggCatcher the ability to speed up playback.

In Android Accessibility Part Three, the Tech Doctor will interview four people who are also using TalkBack to access Android on the Nexus 7.

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In this episode, the Tech Doctor begins a series on Android Accessibility. With no prior Android experience, the Tech Doctor explains how he went about purchasing, unboxing and setting up his Nexus 7 tablet.

He used the
Nexus 7 accessibility documentation
from the google website as his guide.

Along the way, he discovered an excellent podcast about the Nexus 7. It is
Episode 13 of That Android Show
Another excellent podcast about Android Accessibility was recently done by Mike Arrigo and is available at
The Blind Geek Zone

The Tech Doctor hopes that you find this information helpful and that you will stay tuned for the next episode in this series.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctor discusses his recent trip to AntArctica where he was part of a National Geographic expedition.

The podcast comes alive with 22 sound clips featuring National Geographic scientist, underwater photographers and other expedition participants as we explored Antarctica together.

The sounds of the animals, the ice, the wind and water are best experienced when headphones are used to listen to this podcast.

Enjoy this virtual exploration of Antarctica. There is no other place like it on this earth.

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In this final podcast of 2012, the Tech Doctor expresses his sincere appreciation for all who have participated by either listening to or appearing on the podcast over the last year.

The Tech Doctor asks the podcast listeners to let him know whether or not they are interested in him doing a detailed review of the state of Android accessibility on the Nexus 7 tablet.

The primary topic of this episode is a discussion of where we are with accessible electronic books in December of 2012.

At the time of this recording, the Tech Doctor uses four iOS apps on the iPhone 5, the Braille Sense, Book Sense and Amazon Kindle for reading Electronic books. The ability to access books in paperless braille, with synthetic speech and human narrators opens up a world of books that have never before been available to people who are blind.

Here is a list of links to the apps and resources that are discussed in the podcast.

Barns and Noble Nook App

Podcast demonstrating Nook app with VoiceOver

Apple iBooks

BookShare

BookShare Read 2 Go app

Hims Home Page

National Library Service BARD site

Amazon Kindle Keyboard

Audible Home Page

Audible iOS app

The Tech Doctor hopes you enjoy this final podcast of 2012. See you in 2013.

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