The Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and Allison speak with a developer and a user of the new social media app called Vorail. Rather than rely on text or photos, Vorail uses the human voice to communicate with other people. So far, this app has really resonated with people who are blind and visually impaired. Hopefully, lots of sighted people will start catching on to the benefits of Vorail as well...

In this Tech Doctor episode, Allison and Robert speak with Anna Dresner about her recently released book “Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 9.” For several years, Anna has worked with National Braille Press to publish the only hardcopy braille step-by-step guide to using the iPhone for blind users. This latest update, covers all of the basics plus everything that is new in iOS 9....

This is a very special episode of the Tech Doctor podcast. Robert and Allison celebrate Apple’s 40th birthday with a panel of Apple accessibility rock stars. We were fortunate to have author and Mac journalist, Shelly Brisbin join us. Shelly started using the Mac in 1986. She brought us a very unique perspective as a technical writer, publisher and low-vision Mac user. In recent times, Shell...

In this Tech Doctor episode, Allison and Robert summarize the March 2016 Apple Event that was held on Monday, March21st. This will likely be the last event to be held on the current Apple campus. This is also happening very close to Apple’s 40th birthday. Allison and Robert hope you enjoy hearing how Apple continues to move forward not only with the development of new products but in the are...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctors examine the speakers and other offerings from the Sonos company. Robert and Allison speak with a Tech Doctor listener and Sonos fan named David Lepofsky. Before diving into Sonos, however, David talks with us about the disability advocacy work that he does in Canada. To learn more about the Ontario disability advocacy campaign go here. David has a Lecture Series o...

In this Tech Doctor Podcast, Robert begins by describing some new Apple accessories. He discusses the iPhone Lightning Dock, Apple Watch Dock, Milanese Loop and Beats Pill Speakers. Allison discusses the Sonos Speakers. Robert describes the new Trekz Titanium headphones from Aftershokz Robert and Allison discuss the controversy surrounding “Error 53.” Finally, Robert and Allison talk a...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctors offer their opinions on the major hardware and software that Apple released in 2015. It was a very busy year with plenty of excitement along the way. They begin with the opinion that VoiceOver Accessibility has steadily improved throughout the year. As of the end of 2015, the Tech Doctors are confident that VoiceOver is performing well on all of the Apple devices....

In this podcast, the Tech Doctors have the pleasure of talking with Lynnette Tatum and Maria Rios all about their new iOS app called MLWordTips. For twenty years, Lynnette provided her students with notes on how to use Microsoft Word using the keyboard rather than the mouse. Lynnette turned these twenty years worth of notes into a beautiful iOS app making MS Word keyboard shortcuts accessible to e...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and Allison talk with Jeff Bishop, Alex Hall and Michael Doise about the development of the innovative iOS app for the American Council of the Blind called ACB Link. Jeff Bishop begins by taking us through the basic features and capabilities of the app. Michael Doise, the app’s developer, then talks with us about what it is like to take a set of ideas and...

This Tech Doctor Podcast is all about the new 4th generation Apple TV Robert and Allison spent the hour with David Woodbridge. At the time of this podcast, David has published 13 excellent podcasts teaching us to use the new Apple TV with VoiceOver. He says that he plans to publish at least 20 podcasts on the Apple TV. We discuss the new hardware, describe how to set it up and talk about how this...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert talk excitedly about the fabulous new hardware known as the iPhone 6s Plus. They are impressed with how solid and sturdy the phone feels and are pleased with the speed and smoothness of the phone’s operation. Robert briefly demonstrates the new 3D Touch feature. It works great with VoiceOver. Robert and Allison spend some time discussing some V...

In this podcast, Allison and Robert cover the presentation that Apple did on September 9, 2015. This was a two hour and fifteen minute event filled with new product announcements. We cover the information that was presented about Apple Watch, iPad Pro, Apple TV and iPhone. Robert and Allison hope that their fabulous Tech Doctor listeners enjoy and benefit from our perspective on this extraordinary...

Robert begins this Tech Doctor podcast by congratulating Allison on her appearance of Shelly Brisbin’s excellent new The Parallels Podcast Robert and Allison spend the remainder of the show talking with John Panarese, an experienced access technology teacher and certified Apple Consultant. John has recently created a series of excellent audio tutorials teaching VoiceOver users how to get the...

Whether or not to purchase an Apple Watch is a personal choice. There are many variables to consider. Fortunately, if you are a VoiceOver user, the Apple Watch is fully VoiceOver accessible. For folks who would like to learn more about what it is like to use Apple Watch with VoiceOver, Anna Dresner has written a new book, in the style of a journal, describing her first month with the Apple Watch....

In this episode of the Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert have the pleasure of talking with fellow podcaster, technical writer and soon to be app developer Aleen Simms. Aleen’s podcast called Less Than Or Equal has recently become one of Robert and Allison’s favorite podcast. Aleen talks with people who love what they do but also face adversity because of gender, race, sexual orie...

In this brief podcast, Robert tells Allison all about the Macstock Expo and BBQ that Robert attended near Chicago. This was a remarkable one-day event where Apple enthusiast, many of whom are podcasters, came together for some excellent presentations and a fantastic BBQ. Michael Potter of the For Mac Eyes Only podcast created and hosted the conference. Mike did a wonderful job. It sure didn’...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and Allison talk with Chris Maury. Chris has just released a very interesting iOS App which allows one to shop the Target online site using voice input. The app is sire-like in its responsiveness and sophistication. Robert and Allison were impressed with the demonstration that Chris gave us live on the podcast. Allison used the app to purchase a book. She was pl...

In this brief but information filled podcast, Allison and Robert speak with Judy Dixon about a new book describing 41 accessible games that are available to be played on an Apple iOS device. The book is called “Anyone Can Play: Accessible Games for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch” and is available from National Braille Press Get yourself a copy of this book and never be bored again.

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert describe the major announcements that were made during the 2015 WWDC keynote address. While we hope that you find our highlights and opinions helpful and interesting, we encourage you to view the keynote presentation in its entirety.

In this podcast, Allison and Robert talk with an iOS app developer named Ray Mckaig. Ray’s latest app called Tell Me When is a dream come true for book, music and video lovers. The app allows one to keep track of their favorite authors, musicians and videos. Tell me When lets you know when that new book or album comes out. The app can take you to the appropriate page to learn more about and...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter and David Woodbridge enthusiastically describe how they are already making extensive use of Apple Watch in their daily lives. They are amazed by and thrilled with the stability and maturity of VoiceOver access in this first version of the Apple Watch. Anyone who knows how to use VoiceOver on the iPhone can quickly transfer those skills to using VoiceOver...

In this podcast, Allison and Robert begin with a brief discussion of the Apple Watch. They describe their experience of ordering online in the middle of the night. The remainder of the podcast focuses on the tools and strategies that Robert and Allison use to keep up with the ever-changing world of accessible Apple technology. Robert briefly demonstrates speed listening with the popular podcasting...

Allison and Robert have the pleasure of spending this hour with Jonathan Mosen. We discuss Jonathan’s new audio tutorial Become an Amadeus Pro Maestro Amadeus Pro is a very accessible multitrack audio editor for the Mac. This application is excellent for producing everything from ring tones to an excellent podcasts. Jonathan starts with the basics but goes on to teach advanced audio editing...

In this podcast, Allison and Robert talk with Anna Dresner about the latest edition of her book Getting Started with the iPhone which has been updated to cover version 8 of Apple’s iOS operating system. Anna provides the new user with a step-by-step approach to getting started. There is plenty in this book for the iPhone veteran as well. We spend time talking about the new Braille features a...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and Allison talk with Janet Ingber the author of Everything You Need to Know to Use the Mac with Yosemite and VoiceOver The book is available from National Braille Press. While some of the information in this book was carried forward from Janet’s first book about learning the Mac, she specifically focuses on everything that is new in the latest Mac OS call...