In this episode, Shaun discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential benefits for blind or visually impaired individuals. Showcasing the “Pi” AI service as a voice assistant that can answer questions, create emails, offer recommendations and much more. Highlights Show Open (00:00) Artificial Intelligence for the Blind & Partially Sighted (00:20) Using “Pi” as AI Voice Assistant (02:16) 2 Ways to Use Pi (03:50) Using “Talk with Pi” (04:25) Pi Helps Draft a Letter (6:10) Pi Gives Keyboard Recommendations (07:30) Using Pi to Inquire About Screen Reader Updates & Features (08:2 ..read more

Takeaways It is important to test your internet speed to ensure you are getting what you are paying for. WiFi routers play a crucial role in delivering internet speed throughout your home. Mesh networks can provide better WiFi coverage and eliminate dead spots. When choosing a router, consider factors such as speed, coverage, and performance. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Context 01:28 Importance of Internet Speed 03:22 Comparison of Google Nest and Netgear Orbi 05:20 Explanation of Mesh Networks 06:19 Conducting an Internet Speed Test 08:45 Testing the Netgear Orbi 10:36 Consi ..read more

In this episode of Shaun of the Shed I'll be showing you how we can use artificial intelligence to get amazingly detailed descriptions of any photos we take. Want to know exactly the colour and design of that T-shirt you're about to put on? Not a problem. Want to identify that mysterious can in your cupboard and get cooking instructions? Not a problem. You can even take multiple pictures of a menu and then ask questions such as “What are the vegetarian dishes?” etc. Learn all about how the new artificial intelligence features in the apps “Be My Eyes” and “Seeing AI” are both very easy to use a ..read more

Join Shaun Preece as he explores the importance of learning Braille for blind or visually impaired individuals. Despite the advancements in technology, Shaun highlights the benefits of being able to read and write in Braille. He shares his personal journey and regrets for not learning Braille earlier, and discusses its potential uses in education and employment. Shaun also reviews four Braille learning apps: Braille Academy, Braille Decoded, Pocket Braille, and Bump Bump Braille Learn, providing valuable feedback on their accessibility and usability. Tune in to discover the power of Braille an ..read more

On this episode of Shaun of the Shed, host Shaun Preece explores the hand gestures feature of the Apple Watch, a game-changer for users who are blind or partially sighted. Shaun guides listeners through setting up and using pinch and clench gestures for easy navigation without needing to touch the screen. His practical tips, combined with personal anecdotes from his travels, make this episode an engaging and informative guide on enhancing accessibility with Apple technology. Highlights: Show Open (00:00) Using Apple Watch While Traveling (00:39) “New” Double Tap Feature (01:41) How to Use Han ..read more

On this episode of Shaun of the Shed, Shaun Preece goes hands-on with the Hable One. The Hable One is a Bluetooth controller and smartphone keyboard designed for people who are blind or partially sighted.  It has eight buttons, including six Braille keys, and is roughly five inches by two and a half inches in size. The device can be used to enter text, navigate, and interact with both iPhone and Android smartphones. It is held between two hands, with thumbs resting on the top next to the power button and fingers resting on the Braille keys.  The Hable One offers a wide range of comma ..read more

Episode Description: In this episode of Shaun of the Shed I'm talking about a new update to the popular screen reader NVDA. The update adds a new feature called the Addon Store. Addons, as the name suggests, are a way of adding extra features and functionality to your screen reader. For example, there are addon that make apps such as WhatsApp or Outlook more accessible or easier to navigate. Addons have been available for NVDA for a long time but the new Addon Store is a totally different way to manage them. I'll be showing you around the store and how to browse & add various add-ons to ma ..read more

In this episode of Shaun of the Shed, host Shaun Preece discusses the use of QR codes, particularly beneficial to members of the blind and partially sighted community. He covers their creation, appearance, and information capacity. Shaun demonstrates how to use a smartphone to scan QR codes, expressing his struggles with built-in camera apps on both iPhone and Android devices. He then introduces the more user-friendly "code scanner'" on iPhone, detailing its seamless recognition and access to QR code information. And, Shaun shares his personal experience using the code scanner for a taxi payme ..read more

In this episode of Shaun of the Shed, host Shaun Preece explains quick access methods to screen reader settings across various platforms for users who are blind or partially sighted. He walks through shortcuts for VoiceOver on iPhone and Mac, TalkBack on Android, and NVDA, JAWS, and Narrator on Windows. Each shortcut provides a quicker route to change speech rate, pitch, volume, media descriptions, and even specific application behaviours. Shaun's instructions aim to help listeners, whether novices or experts, to adjust their screen reader settings on the fly and increase productivity.  ..read more

Shaun Preece, host of the AMI original podcast "Shaun of the Shed," explains in a quick episode how to customize gestures on a smartphone to make it more efficient for blind or partially sighted users. He highlights that gestures are used as a basic navigation tool for blind users, and there are many gestures that don't have any functions assigned to them that can be customized to improve the smartphone's usability. Shaun demonstrates how to customize gestures on an iPhone and an Android device, providing a step-by-step guide to change the gesture function. He emphasizes the importance of bein ..read more