Talking Technology with V I Labs

This week we will be finding out about an exciting new handheld tablet being developed by a tech startup called Field of Vision that will enable blind and vision impaired users to track and visualise sports matches through haptic feedback and touch. To learn more, we will be joined by the Omar Salem, Co-founder and Head of Engineering at Field of Vision. On Seeing It Your Way we speak with Laura D...

With many of our daily routines restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this week we check out some of the different types of accessible fitness devices we can use, from smart wearable to smart speakers, to help us stay active and look after ourselves during these difficult times. We’ll be talking with Kristina Millar from Vision Sports Ireland to learn about the various services and supports the...

This week we delve into the areas of online shopping and cyber security. Our guest speaker is Martin O’Sullivan, a cyber security expert, who will be talking us through some common security threats and sharing tips on how to stay safe online and protect your digital footprint.   Dereck Carolan from the Labs team also shares with us some tips to remember when shopping online.  On Meet the Team we s...

In what will be our first live event of 2021, we will be discussing the different types of broadband offerings out there, how to get the best out of each one and how to overcome some of the more common issues that can arise.  On Meet the Team we speak with Collyn Kenny from the Labs Team to hear all about his role with NCBI. Finally, on Seeing It Your Way, we meet with blind motivational speaker a...

In what will be our final live event of 2020, we will be taking a look back at some of the highlights from previous live events throughout the year. Support the show

Over the last few years and particularly throughout these Covid restrictions, streaming devices have become an increasingly common option for watching TV.  This week our conversation turns to accessibility features on streaming devices such as the Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, and the new Chromecast with Google TV. On Meet the Team we speak with Áine O’Rourke from the NCBI Labs Team. Support the sho...

This week our conversation turns to learning how to touch type and what you need to know about the upcoming Black Friday sales. Touch typing can be one of the most important and useful computer skills to learn as it eliminates the need to look at the keyboard. This is especially true for anyone using a screen reader. To find out more, IT Trainer Miriam Kelly is joining us this week to tell us abou...

This week we are delighted to welcome to the Live Event Javier Pita, CEO of Spanish-based tech company NaviLens. We’ll be finding out from Javier all about this company’s innovate new variation of QR codes and its many applications, including as a navigation system for people with sight loss. On Meet the Team we speak with IT Trainer Mary Byrne who works with NCBI’s Children’s Services team. Suppo...

This week we explore the many features of The Connect 12 from Humanware – a lightweight portable CCTV that combines a high-performance digital magnifier with the versatility of a tablet.  We speak with Hilary Devlin to hear all about how she uses this popular device in her role as Eye Clinic Liaison Officer with NCBI. On Meet the Team we speak with IT Trainer Seamus Brett. Support the show

This week our conversation turns to the latest mobile operation system releases from Apple and Google. We’ll be taking time to discuss accessibility highlights in iOS 14 following its public release in September, as well as other welcome additions including Home screen widgets and the new App Library. We’ll also be discussing what to expect with Google’s much anticipated Android 11 release includi...

This week on Meet the Team we will be welcoming Denis Nolan, NCBI's Technology Training Manager.   From time to time we all come across a PDF document that isn’t as accessible as it should be. This week we will be discussing how this can happen and what can be done to make these PDF files accessible to all users.    We speak about the latest Tech News and releases on the rundown to Christmas...

This week we are joined by NCBI Chief Technology Officer Kyran O’Mahoney to find out about the development of the NCBI SmartHub, which will enable people with sight loss to access essential NCBI services and information through affordable smart devices such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home.  We will also be joined by IT Trainer Brian Manning to hear all about the Virtual Technology Clubs that ar...

In this month’s Live Event we will be discussing Bone Conductive Headphones and the benefits of this technology for people with Visual Impairments in everyone from home use, work environments, schools and out and about with Mobility Applications such as Lazarillo. We will be joined in this Event by some representatives from Lazarillo to discuss their App. Lazarillo describe their app as “An intell...

We’ll be taking time to explore a range of Digital Handheld Magnifiers available for people with low vision. We will also explore magnification devices that can fit in your pocket to Stand Alone CCTVs and Smart Devices that can be used in study and employment. We will also be discussing how iOS and Android devices have some of these features available. Support the show

This week we talk smart home technology. We will have demonstrations of the accessibility features built into a Samsung Smart TV and how to operate a Samsung Smart Washing Machine using the SmartThings app on a smartphone.   We are also delighted to be playing a demonstration of the Amazon Smart Oven by Sam Seavey from the very popular YouTube channel “The Blind Life”. Though not available in Irel...

This week we focus on Braille technology with a demonstration of the Focus 40, the BrailleNote Touch and the Orbit Reader 20. We are delighted to welcome to the live event Carol Byrne from the NCBI Library and Media Centre to tell us about the work the library is doing in relation to the production of Unified English Braille (UEB).   Please follow the Link below to join the Live Event. NCBI Labs a...

This week we will be discussing the Covid-19 Tracker app and have a member of the app’s Product Manager on the event to discuss the app and answer your questions.   We would encourage you to download the app and we would like your feedback on how the app is working for you. If you have questions you would like to field to us for our Live Event, or have any comments about the app please NCBI Labs a...

This week we explore screen magnification software focusing primarily on Dolphin SuperNova Magnifier & Speech, a product that enables people with visual impairment to independently access their computer for work, in education or in the home. We are delighted to welcome to the live event NCBI staff member Hilary Devlin who will give us an insight into how screen magnification software including...

This week we focus on the important role Technology can play in the workplace for people with a vision impairment. We discuss the wide range of assistive products available and, in our Seeing It Your Way piece, chat with Jennifer Healion about how screen magnification software helps her in her own job role. Tech is back in this episode and we discuss the newly announced features for iOS 14. Suppor...

This week we will be looking into Smart Phone alternatives and discussing the little known KaiOS Operating System for feature phones.   We delve into the world of Audio Gaming and discuss Microsoft’s Ear Hockey an audible version of the Arcade Classic Pong. Support the show

This week we explore navigation apps with particular focus on Soundscape from Microsoft, which uses 3D audio technology to help map out landmarks and points of interest through audio cues. Support the show

This week we discuss accessibility features in Windows 10 designed to assist people with sight loss. We’ll also be looking at Microsoft’s new Edge Chromium browser, how to download it, and what this new version of Edge has to offer. Support the show

This week we discuss the big two screen readers for Windows, JAWS and NVDA, and demonstrate some helpful features available with both applications. Support the show

This week we discuss and demonstrate Microsoft's extremely popular Seeing AI app. This will be followed by a discussion on laptops and what factors to consider when buying a new one. Support the show

This week our conversation centres around the use of video conferencing platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Skype, which have become increasing popular with the spread of COVID-19. Support the show