Access Tech Live

#Accessibility #AmazonEcho #TruthAndReconciliation Amazon’s new Echo lineup, Alexa Plus availability, Fire TV’s Vega OS, and Ring’s 4K doorbells meet accessibility and privacy questions. We also recognize Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and speak with APTN about Indigenous storytelling and language preservation. We open with Amazon’s fall announcements: Echo Dot Max and Echo Stu...

ATIA 2025 showcases real-world accessibility tech you can use today—from tactile learning with the Braille Doodle to AI-powered vision tools like Patriot ViewPoint and interactive tactile graphics with Tactonom Reader Flex. Discover what actually helps people learn, work, and navigate—right now.   Courtesy of Anat Nulman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatnulman) We take you on a tour of five stando...

#Accessibility #AssistiveTech #metaconnect AirPods Pro 3 hands-on meets Meta’s new Ray-Ban display glasses and iOS 26 accessibility. We compare tiny tweaks vs must-have upgrades, and break down what MetaConnect’s “neural wristband” could mean for assistive tech. Marc Aflalo and Steven Scott open with MetaConnect’s rocky live demo and why real-time demos still matter. They dive into Meta’s Ray-Ban...

Apple Watch Series 11 sleep score, AirPods Pro 3 heart-rate sensing, and the ultra-thin iPhone lineup—what actually moves the needle for accessibility? Marc Aflalo and Steven Scott break down upgrades that matter: hearing help, on-device AI, brighter displays, and real-world usability. Marc and Steven unpack Apple’s latest reveals through an accessibility lens. They start with Apple Watch Series 1...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo go hands-on with Apple’s newest hardware: the iPhone 16 Pro with its tactile camera button, redesigned AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, and the thinner, lighter Apple Watch Series 10. They discuss the accessibility impact of each device, from brighter displays to improved ergonomics. The episode also covers Microsoft’s latest Copilot tools, Instagram’s new teen safet...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo break down everything announced at Apple’s September event, including the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch updates, and new features powered by Apple Intelligence. They assess the accessibility potential of the new devices and whether upgrades are worth it for everyday users. The episode also reflects on the closing of the Paris Paralympics and the technology shaping athl...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo launch the new season of Access Tech Live with a look at how technology is transforming the Paralympics—from performance data to social connection for athletes. They preview Apple’s upcoming iPhone event and share a first hands-on with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, exploring its AI-driven accessibility features and new guided frame updates. Headlines include Xbox’s new Adaptive...

For the season finale, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo hand the mic to their audience in a full “Ask Us Anything” special. Questions range from hidden iPhone back tap shortcuts to choosing the right headphones, upgrading iPads, and exploring spatial audio in audiobooks. Guests Dan Ackerman (Micro Center News), Christopher Patno (Google), Georgia Knox (Audible), Sean Preece (Double Tap), and Steve Say...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo look ahead to Paris 2024, where Intel’s AI-powered indoor wayfinding and 3D athlete tracking aim to make the Olympics more accessible for athletes and fans. They also cover Google’s attempt to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, alongside fresh AI developments including OpenAI’s GPT-40 Mini and Meta’s Llama 3.1. The episode touches on Dyson’s customizable OnTrack headp...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo dive into the latest in accessible technology, starting with Marc’s hands-on demo of Apple Vision Pro, now available in Canada. They discuss pricing, design, and accessibility concerns, weighing whether Apple’s headset is truly ready for mainstream adoption. The conversation shifts to Samsung’s newest folding phones—the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6—highlighting real-world usa...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo break down the highlights from Samsung’s summer Unpacked event, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and the new Galaxy Ring. They compare features with Apple’s ecosystem and assess the accessibility potential of these devices. The show also introduces Amazon’s redesigned Echo Spot, now without a camera and offering better pri...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo celebrate Canada Day, the Fourth of July, and Disability Pride Month with a special focus on outdoor technology. From smart grills and connected thermometers to pool robots, lawn care systems, and solar lighting, they spotlight tools that make summer more accessible and enjoyable. Chris Peltz from the Blind Grilling Experience podcast joins to share practical tips for...

accessibility and equity in schools. They examine the growing role of smart home devices and how inclusive design can make everyday living easier for people with disabilities. The conversation also highlights Disability Pride Month, celebrating stories of representation and visibility. With guests and real-world examples, the episode emphasizes how technology and community advocacy intersect to cr...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo discuss how accessibility intersects with travel, city planning, and inclusive innovation. Ottawa’s Accessibility Committee recommends ending its e-scooter program due to hazards posed to people with disabilities. Microsoft and Med-EL announce a collaboration on hearing implant technology, while Apple launches new AI curricula in its Developer Academies. The episode al...

Broadcasting live from Halifax, Marc Aflalo and Steven Scott cover a landmark week in accessibility and tech. Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference introduced “Apple Intelligence,” with on-device AI tools for writing, photos, and Siri upgrades—raising new questions about privacy and usability. The episode also celebrates International Albinism Awareness Day, featuring guests Jenny Bovard and Dav...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo gear up for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, sharing their hopes for meaningful updates to Siri, Apple Watch, and accessibility across iOS. They also tackle ongoing issues in accessible travel, citing both progress and frustrating setbacks when it comes to airline policies and mobility devices. Special guest Alan Cowen from Hume AI joins to discuss the company’...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo spotlight technology trends with everyday accessibility implications. Microsoft expands Copilot tools across its ecosystem, while Netflix makes a push into gaming with an accessible-first approach. The episode also explores how AI-driven creativity is shaping industries like music, film, and education. The conversation balances optimism with critical reflection, asking...

Marc Aflalo and guest host Jennie Bovard present a Global Accessibility Awareness Day special. Apple unveils new accessibility features like eye tracking, music haptics, and vocal shortcuts, while Microsoft introduces the modular Proteus Controller for Xbox. OpenAI launches GPT-4o, demonstrated in real time with Be My Eyes, showing how AI can provide live navigation and contextual assistance. The...

Marc Aflalo and guest host Shaun Preece review Apple’s updated iPad lineup, including the new iPad Pro with M4 chip, Apple Pencil Pro, and the 13-inch iPad Air. They also break down the Pixel 8a and how Google’s Results About You tool helps protect privacy and safety online. The episode spotlights country music legend Randy Travis, who returned with an AI-assisted track after more than a decade, s...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo explore: • Intel’s accessibility initiatives, including the Omnibridge demo translating sign language into text and back in real time. • AI voice cloning, its potential for disabled creators, and ethical concerns raised by artists. • Accessibility and the solar eclipse, featuring safe viewing tips, tactile/audio experiences, and inclusive educational tools. The episode...

This episode unpacks major accessibility and tech news: • DOJ vs Apple antitrust lawsuit, with Steven and Marc debating the impact on accessibility and innovation. • Uber Canada tribunal ruling, ordering compensation after disability discrimination. • Aira’s new Access AI feature, combining image recognition with live human verification. • GE’s accessible appliance kit, featuring tactile stickers...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo bring coverage from the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, joined by Michael Babcock reporting live from Anaheim. Topics include AI companions for dementia care, the world’s first robotic toothbrush, new Braille displays, and wearable tech like Envision glasses. The team also follows Microsoft’s Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 announcements with insights from Za...

Reporting from SXSW 2024 in Austin, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo showcase innovations in accessibility and media. Highlights include the Dot Pad tactile tablet, Canva’s accessibility tools for inclusive design, and new AI-powered accessibility features making content creation easier for everyone. The conversation underscores how mainstream creativity platforms are embedding accessibility into thei...

Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo explore the latest accessibility headlines, from Apple’s TalkBack updates to improvements in Android accessibility. Guest Bryon Anthony joins to discuss inclusive gaming, while Matt Ater spotlights advances in accessible wayfinding technologies. The show also covers the ongoing role of AI in assistive technology and the latest accessibility wins across mobile platforms...

Broadcast live from the Zero Project Conference in Vienna, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo highlight global accessibility initiatives and cutting-edge assistive tech. Guests include: • Jakob Rosin from Sparrow Access (Estonia), discussing accessibility consulting, European accessibility laws, and digital citizenship tools for people with disabilities. • Gabriella Wong, founder of Access SOS, on build...