iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective.

# In this Tech Byte I talk about the Logitech K780 keyboard, iPad mini, and the new Accessible Power Banks from the AT Guys.

My Review of the Samsung Z3 Flip and Galaxy Watch 4 on Blind Guy Talks Tech Interview with Steven Scott on Blind Guy Talks Tech. https://blindguytalkstech.com/podcast/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-3-and-galaxy-watch-4-review Switching my Phones Around I've become so comfortable with the Ze Flip, I'm changing it to my personal phone rather than my work for the moment. Although I'm still carrying around two phones and 2 watch's. Stephen's Use of Be-My-Eyes Specialist Service Stephen received his new Windows laptop but needed some assistance in adjusting the FN key setting in the BIOS. For Me, Good Old Windows Strikes Again - no sound source This happens to me at least once a year in Windows not finding the sound card in my Surface Pro, thank goodness for an external USB sound card. A Reminder about the Microsoft and Apple Accessibility Help Desk Microsoft - 1800 283 300. Apple - 1300 365 083. Something Nifty I found Out About the Amazon Echo Last week You can say Take A Note to make a sticky note and read it back later with Read My Notes. I'm Trying Out a New Hosting Service for iSee may Podcast Getting some what annoyed of how difficult Podbean is getting over the last few years, so I've decided to start to give Pinecast a go, we'll see what happens, and yes, it's very very accessible. https://isee-using-various-technologies-from-a-blind-perso.pinecast.co A Reminder about the BlindShell Classic and New MountBatten from Quantum RLV If you need demos of these great products, just give Quantum a call. When I had a look at the new MB the other week, very impressed by how the new machine feels: very modern. Episode Notes Notes go here Find out more at https://isee-using-various-technologies-from-a-blind-perso.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Samsung Z3 Flip and the Galaxy Watch Classic 4 A Quick Review of the Samsung Z3 Flip and Galaxy Watch Classic 4 Samsung Z3 Flip This is Samsungs smaller folding phone. Several colours. Very small crease in middle of phone when phone unfolded. Physical SIMM plus ESIMM. 5G. Chargers via UsBc, no charger in box, only UsBC cable. 3300Mah battery. Wireless charging as well as able to charge other devices. Can use PIN number, Face ID or Finger print to unlock phone. Finger print sensor is part of the Power button. Inside screens work normally with Talkback when unfolded out in portrait. Always on small cover outside screen works with Talkback when phone folded. Cover screen gives access to notifications, time, and battery. Plus user added widgets including Alarm, Blood Oxygen, Blood pressure, Daily Activity, ECG, Heart beat, multiple workouts, music, Sleep, Steps, Stress, Voice recorder, Weather, and World clock (amongst others). When phone folded, hinge is at top, and always on cover small screen at the bottom which also contains the camera. Whether unfolded or folded, volume up button to answer, and Bixby/Power button to hang up. When phone folded, volume buttons change orientation so these can be use in the same orientation. Can setup so that opening phone will answer and closing the phone will hang up call. Having software Back, Home, and Recents button at the bottom of all screens makes for ease of use. Can add Apps button to bottom of screen as well. Can use find Device to locate other Samsung products including phones, tablets, and the Galaxy Watch. Uses Bixby as default assistant. Uses Samsung Pay. Can enable Talkback upon setting up phone by holding down two fingers on the screen for 5 seconds. Tutorial, practice, and help function available for Talkback. Talkback similar gestures to VoiceOver in respect to 1 finger flick left, right, and double tap. Two finger double tap for starting/stopping audio same as VoiceOver Magic double tap. Angled gestures for Talkback for Home, Back, Notifications, Recent apps, and Talkback settings (amongst other gestures). 1 finger flick up/down too change “rotor” setting (besides 3 finger flick left or right, and 1 finger flick up or down to navigate by “rotor” item. Can control basic functions of Talkback via voice input. Braille Input keyboard available as part of Talkback. https://beebom.com/galaxy-z-flip-3-faq/ Galaxy Watch 4 two models off the Galaxy watch 4: standard with no rotating bezel and the Classic with the rotating bezel. Rotating bezel replaces two finger scroll left and wright when using Talkback. Different sizes and either a bluetooth or Bluetooth/Cellular version. Various watch bands. Traditional watch pins to hold on band. Physical Home button (hold in for Bixby), and a back button (hold in for Samsung Pay). On Classic 4 with bezel, rotate clockwise to answer incoming phone call (two finger double tap to hang up using Talkback). Interface quite easy to navigate with a Home Screen, notifications, widgets, and apps screen. Various fitness and well being features to the Apple Watch, and similar to the Z3 Flip features as well. Not as many app selections in the watch store, but lots of watch faces. Default watch face can be set to tick sounding like an old fashion watch when watch is in use. Use Find my phone to locate connected phone. Taptic time available. Uses Bixby as default assistant. Uses Samsung Pay. Galaxy watch now uses Android Ware making Talkback available. Talkback similar gestures to VoiceOver in respect to 1 finger flick left, right, and double tap. 1 finger flick up/down too change “rotor” setting, and 1 finger flick up or down to navigate by “rotor” item. Angled gestures for Talkback for Home, Back, and Talkback. Tutorial, practice, and help function available for Talkback. No more “you can't use this app because you are using a screen reader”. Can enable Talkback upon setting up watch by holding down two fingers on the screen for 5 seconds. https://au.pcmag.com/smartwatches/88929/samsung-galaxy-watch4 This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

List of Podcasts That I follow:   Ablequest on 2RPH.   All About Android.   Apple Events.   Apple Quarterly Earnings Call.   Apple Insider Podcast.   Applevis Podcast.   Blind Abilities.   Blind Android Users Podcast.   Blind Bargains.   Blind Guy Talks Tech.   Daily Tech Head Lines.   Daily Tech News Show.   Digital Planet.   Dot 2 Dot.   Double Tap Canada.   Echo Tips.   FreedomScientific FSCast.   FreedomScientific Training Podcast.   iMore Show.   iSee - various technologys from a Blind Persons Perspective.       Life and Technology with Charlie Brown.   Mac Break Weekly.   MacCast for Mac Geeks.   macWorld.   Mosen At Large.   Mystic Access Podcast.   New Horizons.   NosillaCast  Apple Podcast.   Rene Ritchie.   Security Now.   Sight and Sound Technology Podcast.   Studio One.   Talking Tech Vision Australia Radio.   Talking Vision Vision Australia Radio.   Tech News Weekly.   That Real Blind Tech Show.   This Week in Tech.       Two Blokes Talking Tech.   Upgrade.   Windows Weekly.  

Talking Tech for Feb 22 2022   Update Concerning the Uccello Kettle   Temp unavailable as we wait to get some grip mats from the manufacturer which allows the cup in front of the kettle to positioned correctly.   Intro Demo Podcast of the Hable One Braille Input Keyboard for iOS   This is a demo of the Hable One Braille Input keyboard for iOS and Android. In this demo I focus only on iOS as the manufacturer will be bringing out a new firmware update to the Hable One for Android in the coming weeks.   https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/intro-demo-of-the-hable-one-braille-input-keyboard/   Blind Guy Talks Tech, Week End Addition (Feb 19) with Special Guest David Woodbridge   Yes, on the show with Steven Scot and others to shoot the breeze about technology for blind and low vision folks.   https://blindguytalkstech.com/podcast/the-weekend-edition-an-australian-visitor-edge-of-patience-flickers-and-finders-and-good-neighbours   New Mount Batten Launch today the 22nd of Feb 2022   As we go to air today, the New Mountbatten has been launched. Catch up with the launch on my iSee feed.   https://s301.podbean.com/pb/dcb50b8a141b5aeb7f358fed2cb27974/621441a7/data1/fs54/339150/uploads/MB_Tutor_Launch8e1s7.mp3?pbss=aeeee414-f4e1-5b24-b8c4-f21b8a9fe6ca   Tech Fridays with David Woodbridge - Exploring Android and iOS apps   This week and last, I was/am exploring common iOs and Android apps. Again, list will be on iSee.

  Stephen and I are join by Bertil Smark Nelson to have a bit of a chat about his life, and his experience using Linux.   To find out more about Linux, go to the Open Source web page at:   https://www.opensource.com   iOS 15.3.1   Bug fix release to fix the focus issue with Braille displays.   AT Guys Advised me No Longer Shipping to Australia via USPS   I am in the process of getting my purchase of the Accessible Power Bank from the AT Guys refunded. Apparently USPS not shipping to Australia, unless you want to pay lots of money for it.   Vision Australia National Assistive Technology Survey   A general survey on what assistive tech blind or low vision folks use in Australia.   https://visionaucx.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6J6j8PHnZ2PApxA   KNFB Reader is now Changed to One Step Reader   Besides changing its name, the app has also changed hands.   https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/its-alive-knfb-reader-lives-now-onestep-reader

In this demo, I give you a physical description of the Hable One and take you through a number of the commands for navigating iOS. To read the manual etc, goto: https://www.iamhable.com

Talking Tech for Feb 8 2022   A Tip on Using the Uccello Kettle     Vision Australia is now selling this kettle, but just a tip/warning for folks in using this kettle when poring, make sure you get support on positioning the cup please!!!   iOS 15.3 VoiceOver Bug   If you have the Caption Panel turned on within VoiceOver Settings, when you navigate by character or use the unlock keypad, you will get VoiceOver saying “under score” before each character. So, make sure Caption Panel is off.   Dictation Button Location has Changed on the Default iOS keyboard   Just noticed this last week, so who knows how long this change has been around as I as a VO user just use the Magic Double tap for voice dictation. Rather than being to the left of the Space Bar the Dictation button is now to the right.However   Audio Splitter Function with NVDA     Like JAWS Split Audio, NvDA via this ADDon now supports split audio.   https://addons.nvda-project.org/addons/soundSplitter.en.html     Amazon Alexa App Now Has the Type Button   Great to see that you can also now type to Alexa, rather than just speaking. Brings it in to line with the other personal assistance.   Aftershokz The Company Rebrands to Shokz   Not to sure why they did this, but it just doesn't sound wright, and of course the website has changed to the new name.   https://shokz.com.au/Home     Did You Know     Last weeks Tech Friday which are now back, Jamy Kelly told me you can get a flash drive that has both a UsB C and USB A type connecter so you can use it on PC's etc that have either port. Just ordered mine.   A Demo of my Recently Purchased Electronic Sit Stand Desk   https://s165.podbean.com/pb/4324232c960ad4a50cffc9b46b3be645/6201d209/data1/fs54/339150/uploads/matrix_executive_electronic_sit_to_stand_desk_demo756it.mp3?pbss=bab5425b-7700-5729-af36-99366fb58da7  

Talking Tech for 1 Feb 2022   Torkings Connect 4 Type Game now on the VA Web shop   Not tech exactly, but my family has had fun playing this game over the holidays, and now it's on the web shop.   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/shop/product/es8041   New Gosford Va Office Now has Bindi Maps up and going.   Just an FUI for folks visiting 40 Mann Street Gosford, on your iPhone or Android phone you can use Bindi maps for indoor navigation.   More on Bindi Maps at:   https://bindimaps.com   Posted Podcast Recording of Exploring Tech Webinar for Jan - BlindShell Classic 2    More than a feature phone, slightly less than a smart phone, and fully accessible from the gro Ground up.. For more info, contact Quantum RLV.   https://s330.podbean.com/pb/5d7aec3b2b62032373b81a95d9778666/61f5d598/data1/fs54/339150/uploads/Blinddshell_clasic_283wne.mp3?pbss=39024901-5a45-5ac0-8dd5-c573609d41d7   Posted Intro Podcast of the Annie Self Teaching Braille Device   Vision Australia Vision Store is having a look at this device, it has been around for a while, but thought I'd would just share an intro demo podcast of the unit which looks like it will be a great way of teaching young students Braille.   https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-68455-118f1eb   Register for the Launch of the Quantum RLV MB Braille Tutor   Feb 22 at 11AM AEST. Zoom register link is:   https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rnjHn8tnTCe28KWg7UoiBQ?mc_cid=51035fbe5e&mc_eid=47fb71fc1d   Current Microsoft Windows 11 Insider Build Introduces Naturally Sounding Voices   Not available in Windows 11 Insider build in Australia. However, Microsoft Edge has all of them with the Read feature.   Quick Tip for Google Smart Speakers   You can now just say “stop” to stop the smart speaker from speaking after you give a command.   Apple Releases 15.3 iOS and iPad iOS   Hot Off The Press  after going to air - turn off VoiceOver Caption Panel in VoiceOver settings as when on, causes VoiceOver to speak the word UnderScore when navigating by character or when using the unlock keypad with VoiceOver.   iOS 15.3 fix's Safari bug for leaking of users history and Google ID.   https://applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-ios-153-ipados-153-fix-safari-bug-could-cause-leaking-users-browsing-history   Apple Quarterly Earnings   Apple's biggest Quarter ever. iPhone,, wearable's, and services all up, not to mention a 25% increase in Mac sales. iPad sales down due to supply constraints.   https://www.cultofmac.com/765034/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-apples-biggest-quarter-ever/

Back to School   Stephen and I have a bit of a chat on how you don't need the latest and greatest to get you up and going at the beginning of the year if your promised stuff hasn't turned up yet. Remember the inbuilt accessibility features in Windows, and Mac in particular.   Mac Monterey 12.2 and iOS 15.3 beta's Released to fix Safari bug Leak   As the topic heading suggests, this fix's an issue with Safari on Mac and iOS.   https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/20/safari-data-leak-bug-fix-ios-15-3/   Apple Urges Android Users to install Tracker Detect for Android   To tell if you have an airTag close by etc.   https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/17387898/android-app-how-to-track-airtags/   7 Ways to Make Your E-Commerce Site More Accessible for consumers with a Disability   Always a good reminder.   https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/7-ways-to-make-your-e-commerce-site-more-accessible-to-consumers-with-disabilities/   10 Voice Memo Features You ∆™aren't Using   Great tips to get the most out of Voice Memos considering it's on the Apple Watch, Mac, iPhone, and iPad.   https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2022/01/10-voice-memos-features-you-arent-using-but-should-be/   20 Cool Google Tricks to Search more Effectively   Take more advantage of Google Search, and improve you'r search results.   https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/20-cool-google-tricks-to-search-more-effectively/

Talking Tech for Jan 18 2022   Not much tech news as such this week, so some tech news of my own.   My first Experience with an Electronic Sit/stand Desk   As I find myself sitting down a lot and not moving, it was recommended to me to go out and get a sit/stand desk, hence this personal review.   This model is the Matrix Executive Electronic Sit/Stand desk.   Dimensions 1520 long, by 750 wide. Desk height which is adjustable from the control panel is from 600MM to 1100MM.   Keypad is on left hand side of desk underneath and is a touch panel (I marked with tactile markers).   On the back left and right corners are cable ports to allow cabling through the desk to the floor.   The legs on either side of the desk have a single leg in the middle (which contains the hight adjusting mechanism), and then a single horizontal foot plate which extends forward and back (in other words, like an upside down capital t).   The motor that drives the desk is underneath the bottom of the desk towards the back.   The desktop top its self is white.   Use   The keypad has a 2 by 2 button grid for custom hight settings on left, and on right Up/Down buttons in a column. In the middle of the 2 by 2 grid of buttons is the S button for Settings for the keypad.   When my wife went through settings on the keypad  there is a setting for beep sounds for when buttons are pressed, and the brightness of the keypad can also be adjusted (beep sounds are not on by default).   Besides pressing the custom height grid buttons, you can adjust the desk by continually holding your finger on the Up or Down buttons until the desired level is reached or when the desk stops itself at the bottom or highest setting.   To go through the whole range of movement, takes the desk about 6 seconds.   Tip: I find using Up or Down much better than the custom grid, of buttons as if you miss touch as it were, the keypad may have an error and you may need to reset the keypad which is  a bit of a pain, doable, just a pest for blind folks.   I also purchased an anti fatigue standing mat which is like a balancing mat  so you are not standing perfectly still all the time. I.e. any time if you move, you have to slightly balance yourself.   Only been using it fully for the last 4 days, and its amazing.   I like the fact that I can just stroll up to the desk, use it, then stroll away.    As my office area is a bit tight, I just use the chair at my demo desk for when I want to sit.   As I purchased the desk from Office Works, I got there setup service to come out and setup the desk for me which took about an hour.   Cost for the desk was approximately $480 plus the service call out setup which I think was about $120 or so.   Amazing How Things Just Don't Last That Long These Days   There has been black stuff appearing on my brand new sit/stand desk, turns out it was the case that came with one of my Braille electronic devices. Pity it wasn't made with real leather or something given the cost of these items, which of course, would not deteriorate as much, just something to keep in mind.   Repaired Macs Back Home and Running   This has really taught me a bit of a reminder lesson.  Don't assume your PC can not be fixed, it may be just worth having a shop look at it, and spending a couple of hundred dollars is certainly a lot better than spending a lot more.   My Experience Playing with the Vale - Shadow of the Crown   This is the amazing audio only game for the Xbox, we talked about it last year, but on holidays I was really able to get in to it and play the easy and normal levels, now time for the hard. Withe more space on my sit/stand desk, I now have the Xbox Controller linked through my mixer, so I can now stand and play on the Xbox at the same time.   The Amazon Alexa App for Windows   I was a bit skeptical about how well this app would work on Windows, and to my surprise, it felt like just using the Amazon Alexa hardware. I.e. anything I could do on the Echo device I could do via the app including all smart home tasks.   Amazon Battery Base Adapter for the Amazon Echo 3rd Generation   I received mine last week, allows you to turn your echo Dot 3rd gen in to a portable smart speaker. Simple on/off button, clips on to the base of the Echo 3rd Gen, and connects to both the adapter port (for power), and the head phone jack (to sill allow access to head phones to the unit).

  Common apps between iOs and Android   If choosing either Samsung/Android or iOS, look at the tasks that are needed to be performed and if the apps to do those tasks are accessible.   Two specific apps which are not currently available on Android are the Microsoft Sound Scape and Seeing AI apps.   As the Seeing AI app currency mode doesn't work with Australian currency, Cash Reader is recommended for both iOS/Android.   Where it  is not obvious what the apps listed are for, there is a short description.   13Cabs   7Plus   Ten Play   SBS on Demand   ABC iView (ABC online streaming)   ABC Listen (ABC Radio stations)   A Blind Legend (audio game)   Aira (for the Aira service via phone camera   Aldi   Amazon Alexa (for use with the Amazon Echo hardware and giving access to use Amazon's digital assistant)   Amazon   Amazon Music   Amazon Prime Video   Apple Music   Audio Game Hub (various self voicing games)   Audible (for use with Audible books - nice thing about Android version can buy within app)   Be-My-Eyes (assistance for free via video contact to volunteers around world)   Blind Bargains   Blind Drive (fantastic blind driving audio game)   Blind Cricket   BOM Weather   CoronaVirus Australia   Calm (excellent wellness app)   Cash Reader (currency identification)   Chrome (web browser from Google)   Coffee Link (for use with the Delonghi touch Coffee Machine)   Coles   Dropbox   Dyson   Disney Plus   eBay   Ember (for use with the Enmber temperature controlled BT mug)   Evernote   Facebook   Fitbit (for use with the Fitbit bands - I use this with my Fitbit Charge 2)   Google Assistant (Google's digital assistant)   Google Fit   Google Duo   Google Home (for use with the Google Nest smart speaker hardware)   Google maps   Google News   Google Play Music   Envision (uses camera for text recognition, surroundings, photos etc)   Lazarillo (excellent GPS app)   Kindle (Kindle eBooks): again can purchase Kindle books within the Android app.   MbMimic (for use with the Mount Batten Brailler)   Messenger   Menu Log   Outlook (Microsoft Outlook)   Music Healing   Netatmo (for use with the Netatmo indoor/outdoor weather modules)   Netflix:   Pocket Cast (pod catcher)   Ring (for use with the Ring video doorbell)   Sensibo (for use with the Sensibo AC device)   Spotify Music   Sunu App (for use with the Sunu Band orientation & Mobility device))   Skype   SuperSense   Tile (for use with the Tile Tag tracking system)   Tripview (public transport for Sydney and Melbourne)   TuneIn Radio   Twitter   Uber   Uber Eats   VIP Code Reader (accessible QR code reader)   Vision Australia Connect (for the VA Library)   Voice Dream Reader (document reader via speech).   WeWalk   White Noise   Woolworths    Youtube   Zoom (web meetings etc)   Zomby's Run

With VoiceOver running, turn on in Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver, Hand Gestures. Once turned on, activate when watch is waken with a double clench of your fist (need to do this every time watch is woken up). When on: double pinch (thumb and index finger twice) move previous item, Single pinch (thumb and index finger once) next item, clench (fist once) activate item, and double clench (make fist twice) Digital Crown function. Handy for the workout app.  

Simple but powerful all in one audio app for the blind Android user. https://www.voxmate.com.  

My chat to customers of Vision Australia all about the Apple Watch, bands, and devices.

This is an amazing upgrade to the traditional slate or as we say in Australia hand frame. So rather than sticking in a bit of paper, writing in Braille, and then having to take the paper out, read what you have Brailled, and then stick it back in again to continue Brailling, you just Braille or write on once side and the pins pop out on the other reading side, for you to just read what you have Brailled. You can push any pin in with your finger tip to clear pins within a cell or use the buttons at the top and bottom to clear every 5 cells going across: eg first left top and bottom do lines 1 to 4 up to firth cell etc or top left button by itself does lines 1 to 2, and bottom right hand side button does lines3 to 4 etc, then going across to buttons 2, 3, and 4 for top and bottom. Do not use the stylus to push in the pins on the reading side as you'll damage the pins. It'll make more sense when you listen to the demo. Enjoy.  

Give you a physical description of the battery pack, how to check battery status, charging tips, using the pack as a wireless charger, and some general tips for usage.

In this demo, I give you a physical description of the ReadEasy Evolve, setup, and use. Vision Australia  Store web link to purchase is:   https://shop.visionaustralia.org/shop/product/esocr057-so

Quick run through of the Micro Speak Plus Digital Voice Recorder. Extremely easy to use, and copy files recorded over to Mac or PC. Product ID for Vision Australia Vision Store is ES7427. Enjoy.  

This Dyson 3 in one tower unit, purify's the air, heats, and emits cool air.   Comes in white or silver.   Prices seem to vary quite a lot, when I purchased mine they were about $750  Australian for the second two.   When setting the unit up, take it out of the box, install the Hepa filters in both sides of the base, [plug in to wall outlet, stick remote on top face down to attach. Note - don't lift or move the Dyson via the top part of the fan unit, even though it looks tempging.   The unit is about 1 metre high, about 400MM in diameter at the base, and weighs about 5KG.   The base contains the Hepa filters, one on each side, and are easy to remove and replace by releasing the latch's on either side of the base.   On one side of the base at the top, is a round largish on/off button (also used to Bluetooth pair the unit) as well as a small LCD screen showing air quality for example.   On the opposite side to the on/off button, but at the bottom of the base is where the 1.5 meter    power chord connects.   The main fan part of the unit which sits on top of the base, is a tall oval shape, with the air coming in the back and out through the front edge of the oval sides. This air direction can be reversed. There are no blades at all.   The oval shape fan unit can rotate 350 degrees.   The base can be tilted forward/back to adjust air flow direction down, forward or up.   The remote control has physical buttons, and magnetically  connects to the top of the oval shaped fan unit.   Note - whilst the oval shaped part of the unit is open, the manual advises strongly when moving the unit, do not treat the oval area has a handle, but pick up the whole unit from the base to move it, otherwise the movement mechanism to the base may be damaged.   The unit can be controlled from the Dyson Link app on iOS or Android, and via the Amazon Echo or via Siri shortcuts.   Connecting the fan to the Dyson link app was very straight forward, and pairing when instructed was to simply hold the iPhone near the on/off button and press to initiate pairing.   Overall the Dyson Link app is accessible.   When using the Dyson from Alexa, you need to enable the skill and login with your Dyson account via the skill to link it up.   The Dyson link app works well with Voiceover on the iPhone, allowing all functions to be accessed including temperature control, fan speed, cool or heat, rotation, air purification stats etc.   The Dyson skill works well, and allows control over temperature, fan speed, hot hot or cool, and how much rotating you want the fan to do.   With the app, you can set up your current location to get current weather info, and you can also name the unit, which comes in handy if you have more than one.   Both the app and skill allow the use of multiple fans to be switched between. In the app, you select the fan via the App Menu and on the skill, each fan is numbered, and you use that number to select the fan you wish to use.   When the Hepa filter needs replacing, there is a notification. You can also check the status of the filters at any time as this info is displayed within the Dyson Link app.   Having fans in different rooms, means I can custom set fan functions for those rooms.   Most of the time, I use the “Ask Dyson” function with Alexa to change settings on all of the fans.   Well worth the price for the functionality I receive..  

These head phones offer great comfort, good sound quality with minimal design and rugged construction.   For use as a monitoring head set to a mixer, they perform very well indeed.   The head set comes in Quite a large box. Inside you will find - leather carry pouch, neatly stored head phones (they do fold up), long attached to left ear cup head phone audio cable (2.74M, with step up  adapter already screwed on to the end of the 3.5MM audio jack), and warranty card.   The headphones are entirely black with silver (tactile) Audio Technica logo on the faces of both ear cups.   Audio Technica” is printed in white on the top side of the headband   The soft material on the headband and the ear cushions are made of leather.   Even though made of plastic, the body construction is well finished.   The headband has a metallic support on the inside which becomes visible where it connects to the ear cups.   The headband adjustment is very smooth, with no click in to position. However, they do stay put when adjusted.   The rotating mechanism for the ear cups is supported by a plastic hinge allowing the ear cups to fold inwards for storage or in to the provided leather carry pouch.   The head phones have large ear cups that cover the entire ear and cut out an amazing amount of external noise.   The head phones are very comfortable for all day use, no pressure on the top or side of the head.   As pointed out already, the long 2.74m cable is attached to the left ear cup of the head phones. The 3.5MM female to 6.3MM male step up adapter is already screwed on to the end of the 3.5mm jack. In the case of the Zoom Podtrack P4, you will need to unscrew this adapter to plug the head phones in to the P4 3.5mm head phones jack..   With the excellent sound noise reduction of the ear cups (no they do not have active noise cancellation), you can concentrate on editing audio such as a podcast.   I find these head phones excellent for listening to VoiceOver out of the Mac, editing podcasts, listening to music, and because they fold up, great for use when out and about if I am podcasting with the Zoom Podtrak P4, and my Samson Q2u mics.   Note - these are straight head phones, they do not have their own microphone as found with the Audio Technica BPHS Head phones.

As you will b able to tell, Cleanfeed works fine on the Mac using Voiceover in Google Chrome. Rather than just a boring demo, scott and i thought, why not chat about our old and new tech stuff. i've combined what the Zoom Podtrak P4 was recording as far as logging in to www.cleanfeed.net was concerned, and of course, the issue with using Safari with Voiceover on the iphone for Scott aas everything including Voiceover was coming through. So besides demoing that Cleanfeed works, i hope you enjoy my and Scott's chat. 

Hi all, This time around, no speaking from me at all. What you will hear is me using the Siri remote to go through all the English voices for VoiceOver on the Apple TV. I've placed chapter marks for each of the English voice categories: Australia India Ireland South Africa UK US This will hopefully give you a good idea of the different voices in case you want to ever change.

This podcast contains all of my 12 podcast demos on the Zoom Podtrak P4. You can navigate by chapter on the Mac via Downcast or on iOS via Overcast. I don't know why you want to, but you can also just listen to start to end if you really really want to smile. Demos include my first impressions of the P4, full description of the P4, using channel 3 (TRRS) and channel 4 (UsB) on the P4, recording VoiceOver from the Mac, tips on recording and playing back recent file, using the Sound Pad to control play back of files, using the Sound Pad menu, using the Files Menu, using the Files Transfer main menu option, demo of the BTA-2 Bluetooth transceiver, demo of the Audio Technica headset with dynamic XLR boom microphone, and demo of the Samson Q2u and Backpack Studio. Think it was funny about mid range through in the demos, where I said it was going to be my last. Enjoy.

Samson 29 Q2u Podcasting PackParticularly handy for podcasting. Plus Backpack Studio   Set up for todays demo   iPhone 12 Pro on a wireless charging stand Magic Keyboard 2 connected to iPhone Samsung Q2u microphone/stand. Ear phones plugged in to mic for monitoring.   And yes, this demo was all recorded on my iPhone and Backpack Studio using the Samsung Q2u mic.   First Backpack Studio   Description from the iOS App Store   Create professional sounding podcasts and radio from anywhere using only an iPhone or iPad. Eg both works as a podcaster and radio streamer.   With backpack studio, Your show is automatically mixed and mastered while it's being recorded.    Features:   - Record your voice while triggering sounds live - intros, background music, and sound effects. Sounds automatically adjust volume in real time.   - A powerful soundboard with unlimited pages of soundpads.   - Import sounds into the soundboard from anywhere - iCloud, dropbox, google drive, your music library, email, even import directly from other apps.   - Find the perfect eq filter for your voice. Noise gate to lower background noise. Studio quality compression, limiting, and eq algorithms are automatically applied to your mix live for a loud, studio quality mastered sound.   - Create custom Siri Voice, external keyboard, and midi shortcuts to record and trigger soundpads.   - Encodes to all popular formats, mp3, wav, m4a, aiff, and video.   - Publish recordings directly to iCloud, dropbox, Facebook, youtube, an FTP, Libsyn, or open in any app on your phone that accepts audio or video.   - Full VoiceOver compatibility for visually impaired producers .   Simply downloaded and installed the app. Kept all default settings. Added a few Pad sounds. When using with the Samsung Q2u, Backpack found mic if already active: i.e. already plugged in to the iPhone. Nice thing about using the app with VoiceOver, recording doesn't include Voiceover.   Record, Pads, mic mute etc all accessible with gestures or keyboard, when I'm recording with Backpack I like to use an external keyboard, just faster control.   Using the app with a BT keyboard .   General keyboard commands   Record Command+R . Pause P Finish F Delete recording D Toggle mic on Space Toggle mic off Space Stop all pads X Begin stream B End Stream E Show last recording L Play last recording O Show Recordings Z   Sound Pad keyboard commands   Play air horns 1 Play applause 2 Play laughter 3 Play Segway in 4 Play Segway out 5 Play sound 3 6       Features the Samson Q2u dynamic cardioid polar pattern mic, USB output for connecting to any Mac or Windows PC or smart phone via an adapter, XLR output for connecting to any mixer/PA system and a 1/8" (3.5MM)stereo headphone output with level control for zero-latency monitoring.   In the Samson Q2u Podcasting Pack Box   Samson Q2u dynamic mic, puff or wind filter sock for mic head, foldable compact desktop tripod stand with screw in mic holder, XLR cable, and USB mini cable.   Samson Q2u Microphone Dimensions   190MM by 55MM. 453.3G.     Cost   $150.00Au.   Description of the Samson Q2u microphone   Standard cylindrical mic and head, Back of mic XLR, Mini USB and 3.5MM head phone ports, and Middle of mic barrel, slide mic on/off switch.   Using the Samson Q2u Micrphone for the first time   Screw the mic holder in to the desktop stand, make sure the puff or wind filter is over the head of the mic, insert the mic in to the mic holder, extend the stand legs to sit on the table, plug in monitoring ear phones or a head set, and connect the mic to another device either via the XLR or Mini USB supplied cables. Note - make sure the mic on/off switch on the barrel of the mic is slid forward to the on position closest to the head of the mic. For future use, the mic usually stays connected to the stand which legs fold together, and the puff or wind filter stays on the mic. When the mic has the XLR cable plugged in, as this is such a rugged connector, I usually leave this cable plugged in to the Samson Q2u. For both the Mini USB and ear phones, I prefer to have these disconnected if I'm traveling with the mic in a bag.   Besides XLR cable for Mixer and Mini UsB for Mac/PC/Smart phone - adapter   To use the Samson Q2u on my iPhone, I use the Lightning camera adapter. Mini USB cable comes from the back of the Samson Q2u, plugs in to the USB port on the camera adapter cable, and the other lightning end plugging in to the iPhone.   Plugging the Samson Q2u in to my Zoom Podtrak P4   XLR cable comes from plugging in to the back of the Samson Q2u, and other end plugs directly in to one of the 4 female XLR connector ports on the Zoom Podtrak P4.   Using the Samson Q2u on the Zoom Podtrak P4   Everything is done from the Zoom Podtrak P4. No need for me to touch the mic. Mic gain, head phone monitoring, and mute is all done from the P4. Note - all of my podcasts since getting the Zoom Podtrak P4 have been done on the Samsung Q2u microphone. I can record directly to the Zoom Podtrak P4 on to the SD card or use the P4 as a mixer to Amadeus Pro running on the Mac.   Using the Samson Q2u on the Mac   Plug in the Mini UsB cable from the back of the Samson Q2u, other end of Mini uSB gets plugged in to a UsB to UsBC adapter, which then gets plugged in to the Mac. Note On the Mac, using Amadeus Pro to control the Samson Q2U, again, no need to touch the mic for gain, monitoring or muting.   Using the Samson Q2u with My Smart Phone (iPhone 12 Pro)   Plugging in the Mini USB cable from back of Samson Q2u, other end of the Mini USB cable gets plugged in to the USB port on the Lightning camera adapter, with the other end of the adapter (lightning) getting plugged in to the iPhone. Note - on the iPhone with the Lightning Camera Adapter, you will need to plug in ear phones or a head set in to the 3.5MM monitoring port on the Samson Q2u to both monitor how you are sounding, and more importantly, to be able to hear VoiceOver if you are using it. On the iPhone, using Backpack Studio to control the Samson Q2u gain, monitoring (through the plug in ear phones on the mic itself), and mute.   Ear Phones or Head SeT   I only use ear phones or a head set directly when using the Q2u with the iPhone as its the only way I can hear VoiceOver. Just get what you prefer. When I'm using the Samson Q2u with the Zoom Podtrak P4 or the Mac, I'm using my “what ever brand name” head set plugged in to the Mac or the P4.   Links to the Samson Q2u podcasting Pack, Lightning Camera Adapter, USBC to UsB adapter, and Backpack Studio.   Samson Q2u Podcasting Pack   https://www.amazon.com.au/Samson-Microphone-Recording-Podcasting-Windscreen/dp/B086R6BW49/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Samson+Q2u+Microphone&qid=1622741687&sr=8-2   Lightning to Camera Adapter   https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/MD821AM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter   USBC to USB Adapter   https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/MJ1M2AM/A/usb-c-to-usb-adapter   Backpack Studio   https://apps.apple.com/us/app/backpack-studio/id1438882186   Also sneaking in a link to the Mac App Store for Amadeus Pro   https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amadeus-pro/id438292371?mt=12

In this demo, I discuss and demo the BTA-2 Bluetooth transmitter and Receiver to allow you to wirelessly connect to the P4. Note - as with connecting a TRRS cable, mic 3 (channel 3) needs to be in the most right position for the switch, and the BTA-2 plugs in to both the 2.5mm and 3.mm jacks on the side of the P$.

In this demo, I use my Zoom Podtrak P4 with the Audio Technica BPHS1 broadcasting head set which combines both a head set with an XLR boom microphone. I compare it to my current desktop mic/stand, the Samson 29 Q2U podcasting kit. Note - to use with the P4, I used a 6.3mm to 3.5mm female to male adapter to plug it in in to the head phone jack on the P4. The cable coming off the head set splits in to an XLR mic jack and the 6.3mm head phone jack. Certainly does the job, and great for portability, no need to carry around a XLR mic, stand, and head phones: just the head set plus the P4.  

Amazingly or not, this function is still around on the Mac, although now days its called Add to Music as a Spoken Track: a great way of producing audio files from text. Interesting what 10 years can do in how ones voice sounds more confident and relaxed smile. David 2021  

On a previous podcast, here is my catch up demo using 3 LIDAR apps on my iPhone 12 Pro. As I mainly use People Detection, I focus in this demo mainly on Super LIDAR and the Magnifier apps.  

As I say in the podcast, this demo is demoing the ECG function of the Apple Watch for folks here in Australia. The next demo will be using LIDAR on the iPhone 12 Pro using the Magnification, Super LiDAR, and Seeing AI apps.

Quite like the way this remote feels, works, but still some things to work out, namely scrolling through a movie with vO on, and moving apps around on the Home screen. Great remote, much prefer itr over the Siri Touch V1 remote.

My first go at actually recording a webinar using the Zoom Podtrak P4. Still somethings to iron out like which mic to mute (Zoom or P4 grin), and doing a bit better myself changing in and out cables. However, the recording you are hearing hasn't been touched, just conversion to MP3 for the podcast post. I think it went well.

In this demo, I take you through how easy it is to use the Files menu from the main menu to playback and delete files you don't want from the P4 itself. Enjoy, and the last one in this series for the moment as I've covered all the thrings I need to do up to this point, but there will be more smile.

In this demo, I show you how to directly transfer files between the P4 and in my case the Mac, via the P4 menu option File Transfer (press menu and press right 3 times, and select file transfer). Simply puts the P4 in to a mass storage mode (turning off knobs and mics), and comes up as a P4 drive when connected via a USBC cable connected to the power/data port on the P4 (front left hand side port). To exit file transfer, just press menu twice, and knobs and mics will return to normal operation. Much better and safer than dragging out the SD card all the time which is exactly what I've been doing sigh smile.  

In this demo I take you through using the Sound Pad sub-menu from the main menu for selecting different sounds, the way they repeat, and the volume of a sound. The first time you go in to the menu via the Menu button, press right arrow (Stop button), then Enter/Select (Record button) to bring up the Sound Pad custom sub-menu. If you don't restart the Podtrak P4, next time you go out and in to the menu, Sound Pad will already be selected, so just press Enter. As nothing talks as such in these menus, just practise ggoing in and out and it will become easier.

In this demo, I show you how you can use the Sound Pad to:   Top Left button rewind, time jump or beginning of file,   Top right button fast forward, time jump or end of file, and   Bottom left button beginning of file.   When using the Sound Pad buttons, use the Play/Pause button. Pressing Stop will revert the Sound Pad files back to their usual function.: i.e. playing sounds.    

Enjoy. Due to the Podtrak P4 and getting excited about podcasting again, I've added my intro/out sound file that L Woodbridge did for me to the Podtrak for future use. And yes, I'll be doing a demo later on accessing the Sound Pad, which is not strictly accessible, but works as you can tell with this intro I added to my Sound Pad. Am I having fun, absolutely.

In this demo, I show you how you can use the TRRS cable to record from another device such as an Amazon Echo Dot, and also use a lightning to UsB Camera adapter on channel 4 to also connect to your iPhone. Remember, for both channel 3 and channel 4, the switch needs to be in the most right (3rd) position.