Welcome everyone to the first show of our new weekly series that discusses what's new and notable from all around the net. Joe and J.J. welcome Ricky Enger aboard this initial episode to talk about what happened at CES. Also, she hangs out during our interview with Be My Eyes's' Thelle Kristensen. Be My Eyes just launched in the U.S. iOS App Store and it is worth a spin.
In the news for the week of January 12, 2015:
Ai Squared has released Window-Eyes 9. You can find a 60-day demo and more by checking out this Blind Bargains story on the releaseRick Harmon needs your help to keep the Blind Geek Zone, the new home of the Blind Cool Tech archives, up and running. You can reach him on Twitter to help.
Pre ATIA: Enhanced Vision introduces the Acrobat HD ultra
Intel CEO Discusses RealSense and Benefits to Visually Impaired in CES Keynote
Also announced during the week of CES, Vuzix says received Intel investment for smart glasses
Microsoft has a giant Enterprise-focused event coming up on January 21st. However leaks about the new web browser, codenamed Spartin, sprung up all last week. There will be a dark theme and it appears you will be able to do voice searches from within the browser.
Apple doesn't attend CES. But boy do they ever know how to steal the spotlight during that week. This year they perked up ears with a radical rumored redesign of the Macbook Air.
Microsoft Details Accessibility Improvements to Office Online. From YouTube, Office Online Reading Mode with Narrator in Windows.
Who doesn't have an opinion about a given product or service, eh? Well now the FCC makes it easier to complain about cable, Internet, and phone providers.
Interview
Be My Eyes allows Blind and Low Vision users to gain help in viewing and reading various surroundings with the assistance of a network of sighted volunteers. Ricky and J.J. find out how the non profit app made its way from Denmark to the U.S. and discover some of the possibilities that the new open source app will let your iDevice do. Our sincere thanks to Thelle Kristensen, cofounder of Be My Eyes, for staying up late and for being on our new series. Learn more about the app by visiting bemyeyes.org.
Discussion
Last week's CES 2015 coverage from the regular outlets may have felt more like 2005 than a modern-day event that shows off future tech. TVs are still popular, now just in the 4k variety. And there was a lot of talk about home automation. Yet this year's "best of show" winner was an app for cord-cutting rather than a device that makes nefarious plans to raid your wallet during some future Holiday season. The question that emerged more often last week was: "Is CES over?" J.J., Ricky and Joe talk about that and some other news that caught their attention.
Some of the stories that fueled our fires are: Stevie Wonder Speaks at CES
CES: Everything Old Is New Again
Five next-gen products from CES 2015...and where we've seen them in sci-fi
This Real Life 'Cone Of Silence' Is Your First Ridiculous Product Of CES 2015
Six Big Wearables Announcements from CES 2015
CES 2015 taught us the wireless audio future is now
Google Cast will offer direct streaming from apps to Sony, LG, and Denon audio products this spring.
The PonoPlayer, what's up with that?
The year of the cord-cutter starts at CES 2015
Dish's new Sling TV Internet-TV service starts at $20, features ESPN, Disney Channel, CNN, TNT
Insignia and Haier start making Roku TVs, Roku builds 4K support
4K, quantum dots and more: see the TV technology of CES 2015
Panasonic's 2015 4K TVs are powered by Firefox OS
Samsung unveils next-gen smart home hub and monitoring service
Feedback: This first show was just a sampler of some of the ideas we have in store for you over the coming weeks. We're planning our ATIA coverage now with CSUN's 30th birthday still to come in March. You can help us out greatly by telling us what you would like us to review, who we should interview, or... you could start out by sending in a name for our new series. In fact, that would be great and it wouldn't take you long at all to tell us your suggestion. Feel free to leave it in the comment section below, or send us an email at nametheshow@blindbargains.com. Or, if you would like, you can find us on Twitter at @blindbargains. And if 140 characters isn't enough, you can send us email at feedback@blindbargains.com Or post a comment on any Blind Bargains story.
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Category: ShowsHello Guys and Gal, This podcast was great. It was full of good info presented with your individual take on it. I have thought of some possible names. 1. Blind Bargains TekCast or TechCast 2. Blind Bargains TekWatch or TechWatch 3. Blind BargainsGadgetCast 4. Blind Bargains GadgetWatch I think it would be good to have a mail section at the end kinda like a Q/A section. Greg Wocher
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Joe Steinkamp is no stranger to the world of technology, having been a user of video magnification and blindness related electronic devices since 1979. Joe has worked in radio, retail management and Vocational Rehabilitation for blind and low vision individuals in Texas. He has been writing about the A.T. Industry for 15 years and podcasting about it for almost a decade.
