The Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast

In this “Hodge-Podge-Cast” Allison and Robert discuss several software and hardware applications and products. For more information, click on any of the following links. BrailleTouch Fleksy Voice Dream Reader AfterShokz Bone Conduction headphones DownCast Audible Audio Books App mySpot File Transporter

In this Tech Doctor episode, Allison and Robert invite two special guests to participate in an iPhone touch screen typing competition. The tools that were used included a Braille Sense, BrailleTouch, Fleksy, the regular iPhone keyboard and Allison’s trusty stopwatch. Robert inflicts each and every listener with his over-the-top and usually misunderstood sense of humor. Allison does her best...

In this podcast, Robert and Allison speak with Caleb Southern. Caleb is a doctoral student studying computer science at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta. While researching sight free options for entering data on touch screens and mobile devices, Caleb and his colleagues developed a virtual braille keyboard for the iPhone’s touch screen. The virtual braille keyboard allows users to input te...

In Android Accessibility Part Three, the Tech Doctor interviews four Nexus 7 users. Each person discusses their unique experiences with the device including getting started with accessibility and accessing favorite applications. Thanks Chris Grabowski, Ricky Enger, Pratik Patel and Allison Hartley for sharing your insights and expertise with the Tech Doctor listeners.

In Android Accessibility Part two, the Tech Doctor described using the Android screen reader called TalkBack to search for, purchase, configure and begin using six popular apps. He made some comparisons with using similar apps with VoiceOver on the Apple platform. The six apps are: gmail, iBlink Radio, a Twitter client called Plume, Google Play Books, a podcasting app called DoggCatcher and an app...

In this episode, the Tech Doctor begins a series on Android Accessibility. With no prior Android experience, the Tech Doctor explains how he went about purchasing, unboxing and setting up his Nexus 7 tablet. He used the Nexus 7 accessibility documentation from the google website as his guide. Along the way, he discovered an excellent podcast about the Nexus 7. It is Episode 13 of That Android Show...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctor discusses his recent trip to AntArctica where he was part of a National Geographic expedition. The podcast comes alive with 22 sound clips featuring National Geographic scientist, underwater photographers and other expedition participants as we explored Antarctica together. The sounds of the animals, the ice, the wind and water are best experienced when headphones...

In this final podcast of 2012, the Tech Doctor expresses his sincere appreciation for all who have participated by either listening to or appearing on the podcast over the last year. The Tech Doctor asks the podcast listeners to let him know whether or not they are interested in him doing a detailed review of the state of Android accessibility on the Nexus 7 tablet. The primary topic of this episo...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctor speaks to the congregation of the Unitarian Church in College Station, Texas. Dr. Carter discusses the importance of both his family and accessible technology in providing him with access to information, education, transportation, his vocation and most importantly human connections. Dr. Carter mentions the important work of Dr. Brene Brown He explains the significa...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Darcy Burnard describes how he and Holly Anderson began podcasting in 2005 with The Darcy and Holly Show. When they both got Macs in 2006, they started The Screenless Switchers podcast where they continue to teach us all how to get the most from our Apple products with VoiceOver. After discussing the early days, Darcy and Robert express their appreciation for the Apple...

The Tech Doctor is pleased to welcome back Lisa Salinger and Allison Hartley to the podcast. Both Allison and Lisa recently purchased the Amazon Kindle Keyboard. This is the only model of the Kindle that is accessible to a blind person. As Lisa and Allison describe their experiences with the Kindle, it becomes clear that while we all wish that Amazon would do more to make all Kindles accessible, t...

In this podcast, Robert shares his impressions and experiences with Apples iPhone 5 He discusses some benchmark performance data and describes what working with the phone is like from the perspective of a VoiceOver user. Robert then moves on to discuss the major features of iOS 6. He thanks David Woodbridge for providing some excellent podcasts on iOS 6.David’s iOS 6 podcasts can be found on...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert describes the 1Password password manager and demonstrates how to use 1Password with VoiceOver. To find out all about 1Password, go to the AgileBits website. Robert finishes up the podcast by talking about his approach to Mac security. The Tech Doctor hopes you will develop your own protocol for keeping your passwords and your Mac safe and secure. If you have que...

In this podcast, Robert talks with Anne Robertson who lives in a delightful village in France. In addition to working as a translator, Anne teaches blind and visually impaired people to use the Mac. The training can be done in either French or English and is available on sight or via Skype. Further information about various training options is available on Anne’s website The site is in Frenc...

In this podcast, Robert talks with Amy Mason, an access technology specialist at the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind This extraordinary technology center is part of the Jernigan Institute located at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Some of Amy’s job responsibilities include: answering questions about technology for vis...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert describes his experience of upgrading from OS X 10.7 Lion to 10.8 Mountain Lion. Before upgrading, he encourages everyone to read Take Control of Upgrading to Mountain Lion He discusses the importance of having a bootable backup and described how he uses backup software called SuperDuper to create his bootable clone backups. Robert describes how to create and us...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks with Tonya Engst, co-founder of TidBITS and editor-in-chief of Take Control Books Tonya describes how her company has gone from writing and publishing printed books about how to get the most from Apple products to producing all books and articles in electronic format. The Take Control Books are excellent, they are offered at a good price and are frequently...

In this episode of the Tech Doctor podcast, Robert plays a recording of a presentation that he made at an access technology conference for the Veterans Administration. The speech was presented on August 9, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The purpose of the conference was to provide training for VA employees who teach access technology to blind and visually impaired veterans. The Tech Doctor was ho...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and David Woodbridge explore the work that David does with Vision Australia including how David goes about recommending technology to people who call the help desk. David describes his work as an apple ambassador and has an editor on the popular Applevis web site. David tells us about his podcasts and radio show. He explains his enthusiasm about Apple accessibil...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctor spends time with freelance writer, editor and poet Deborah Kendrick. During her thirty years as a freelance writer, Deborah has published hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines around the world. Even though Deborah is well-known in the blindness community, as a writer about and advocate for disability concerns, she began her career as a poet and a writer...

With its crisp 32 cell braille display, silent keyboard, 32 gigs of flash storage, 1GHZ processor, internal GPS receiver, vibration motor and suite of state-of-the-art applications, the Braille Sense U2 moves to the head of the class. The Tech Doctor does a detailed examination the U2 providing you with both the data and live demonstrations that you need to really understand this product. Thinking...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctor visits with a most charming and fascinating man from Puerto Rico named Ricky Gonzalez You will get to know Ricky and hear the wonderful and relaxing sounds of the Caribbean. As we talk, you will get an idea of what life is like for people who are blind and living on the island. You will definitely enjoy Ricky telling us about what it was like for him to discover th...

In this podcast, Robert visits with Katie Floyd, the co-host of the excellent Mac Power Users podcast Robert and Katie compare and contrast the capabilities and features of the 2012 line of Apple MacBook laptops. They provide the information that you will need when selecting the computer that is right for you. You may be surprised by some of their recommendations.

In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert Carter and Jessica Rathwell explain and demonstrate an innovative new app which uses pattern recognition to allow a blind person to type faster and more easily on an iOS touch screen. The app is called “Fleksy” and at the time of this podcast is currently under development. For more information, go to the Fleksy website.

In this podcast, I have the pleasure of talking with Shane Jackson. Shane tells us all about getting a job and working as an Apple Specialist in an Apple retail store. As we talk, it becomes obvious that Shane’s warmth, persistence, willingness to take risks, and excellent communications skills are at the heart of his success at Apple. I wish Shane all the best as he follows his dream and be...