Earlier today, Apple released iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod touch devices.  According to Apple, the major features in this update include:

• Game center,
• iTunes TV show rentals,
• iTunes Ping,
• HDR Photography,
• HD Video uploads.

Nothing is mentioned about VoiceOver and accessibility, but that doesn’t mean Apple hasn’t focused on it as well.  Indeed, Apple *has* focused on VoiceOver and the results are mixed.  On the plus side, there are now two more audible cues, one indicating when a folder is opened and another indicating when a folder is closed.  Personally, I like these new sounds and think they’re a nice touch.  On the negative side, VoiceOver now cuts out certain syllables, such as the ending of certain characters when entering text, or when navigating the home screen.  The letter ‘e’ is hardly spoken at all and without the automatic phonetic pronunciation, it might be difficult to distinguish it from other characters.  Sadly, this particular bug presented itself a few updates back and was corrected; it’s a shame Apple has managed to reintroduce it yet again.

iOS4.1 has only been out for a few hours, so I’m sure more enhancements/bugs will be discovered in the next few days.  if you notice anything different in terms of accessibility, please leave it in the comments and I’ll revise this post.  For those wanting to see the official Apple announcement of iOS4.1 new features, it can be found here.

And much much more.

Nothing will ever replace the personality of a DJ, however, services exist to provide you with just the type of music you want.  In a nutshell, these services allow you to choose an artist or song from which similar music will be determined.  A station is then created, a station that can just be sat back and listened to.

Tonight, on the Assistive Technology show, we look at a few of these services and discuss just how accessible they are.  When?  The Assistive Technology show takes place Wednesdays between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT, that’s 2300-0100, UTC.  For more information including links for joining the show live, or listening a media player compatible stream, please visit the Assistive Technology show home page at http://www.atmaine.com .

I look forward to bringing you this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.

Come join me for this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  There’s no specific topic for tonight’s program, but with much going on in the world of assistive tech, I’m sure there won’t be any shortage of topics to cover.

When?  The Assistive Technology show takes place Wednesday evenings between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT that’s 2300-0100 UTC.  Where?  For more information about the show including links to join the program or listen live, please visit the Assistive Technology show home page at: http://www.atmaine.com/atshow .

I look forward to bringing you this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.

Due to the time difference and an up-coming trip tomorrow, I unfortunately am unable to host this evening’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  I also need to cancel next week’s show as I will be making my way slowly and steadily back to Maine.  I look forward to bringing you the Assistive Technology show again on August 4TH.

Steve

Come join me tonight as I bring you, live from Germany, this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  THat’s right, I’ll be bringing you tonight’s show live from Germany where I’m visiting a family crazy enough to have hosted me during an exchange student year in 1992.

Although there is no specific topic for this evening’s show, those often prove to be the most interesting as you never know what might be covered.  So, whether you have a question about assistive technology, have an experience to share or just want to learn something new, come join me for this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  When?  The Assistive Technology show takes place between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT.  For more information about the show including directions for participating live or hearing the show via your favorite media player, please visit the Assistive Technology show home page at:  http://www.atmaine.com/atshow



Come join me for this evening’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  Although there’s no official topic for this evening’s program, I suspect Apple’s recently announced iPhone line, browser and other software will be a topic of discussion.  Even if Apple’s not your thing, the Assistive Technology show is a great way to get information and to learn more about products and services that might be of interest.

When?  The Assistive Technology show takes place this evening, between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT.  For more information, including links to join the show or listen to the show’s live stream, please visit the Assistive Technology show home page http://www.atmaine.com/atshow .

I look forward to bringing you another edition, of the Assistive Technology show.



Come join me for this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  During each show, I try to ensure that a plethora of topics are discussed and that ample time is given for participant questions.  So come join me, tonight between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT for this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  Where?  Please visit the Assistive Technology show home page at http://www.atmaine.com .

Not able to join us this evening, but curious what it’s all about?  Assistive Technology shows are archived, so feel free to listen after the fact, see the home page for more details.

I look forward to bringing you another edition of the Assistive Technology show.

Steve

Unfortunately, I am unable to host this evening’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.  The server is up and running, however, so please feel free to log in and discuss technology with one another.

I look forward to next week when I will again be able to bring you the Assistive Technology show.

Steve

• audacity and recording Skype calls.
• using a computer to watch TV.
• Blinded Vets and Friends to play patriotic music during Memorial day and other holidays.
• VoCast, a new podcast launching to discuss all things VoiceOver (official page coming soon).
• What shall we do with a broken BrailleNote?
• WayFinder Access owners may soon be entitled to either an exchange or refund.
• Windows has found solutions, what does that message mean?
• Boston Accessibility “unconference” happening this weekend.

And much more.

How? You can get more information about the show, including links to either join the program or listen to the live stream at: http://www.atmaine.com/atshow .

I look forward to seeing you tonight, on the Assistive Technology show

When? Tonight, between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT. Where? http://www.atmaine.com/atshow. On the Assistive Technology show page, you will find directions for logging on to the show and links for listening to past editions. Need help? As always, feel free to contact me via Email: steve@atmaine.com or phone: (207) 512-2387.

I look forward to seeing you tonight, on the Assistive Technology Show — you never know what you might learn.

Although tonight’s program won’t have any specific topic, I welcome as much discussion as possible.

When? The Assistive Technology show takes place between 7:00-9:00 PM, EDT Wednesday evenings. For more information, to join the program or to listen via the live stream, please visit http://www.atmaine.com/atshow .

I look forward to seeing you on this week’s edition of the Assistive Technology show.

If you’ve ever seen a MacBook Air, the iPad case is very similar in design. The back is a smooth aluminum and the front is the same plastic-like material used on the iPhone and iPod touch screens. In terms of thickness, the device is, well, like the Air. The device has three speakers located on the bottom edge of the unit facing the user. I was surprised at the quality of these speakers, better than the one in my Air and definitely better than the ones in the iPhone/iPod touch.

Using the device was much easier than even i had anticipated. Admittedly, it would take practice to become used to the newly-implemented touch typing system and to build up efficiency in general. Having said that however, I was able to type full sentences with a fair degree of speed and accuracy before leaving the Apple store.

I did not get a chance to try iBooks, but found that other applications behaved as expected which means if you’ve used an iPhone or iPod touch, they behave about the same all-be-it on a bigger screen. One really neat feature found in the iPad is a switch that disables the unit from switching to landscape mode when tilted, I could see this very handy in many situations.

I realize that this is a very very brief look at the iPad, but I left suitably impressed. Admittedly the iPad has a bit of weight behind it, but it’s not so heavy that it would prove awkward to cary around. Although it would take a bit of practice, I think the device could be used in *certain* note taking situations and this, coupled with Apple’s iBook store really excites me.

So, am I geting an iPad? Well, I’m still somewhat on the fence, but now that I’ve seen it, do think it a device which I could use to be more productive. Although similar to the iPhone in functionality, the larger screen area and much improved battery life make it a better note taking solution than the iPhone even with a bluetooth keyboard. Also, the larger screen would make it easier for me to get a better conceptual overview of an application or web page, something which for me, is essential. So when am I getting this shiny new iPad? Well of course there’s still that pesky little issue of cost and at $499 for the entry model, that’s not exactly pocket change. Still, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to possibly read a blog post from me generated on the iPad in the hopefully not so distant future.

Thanks again, I look forward to seeing you all next week for another edition of the Assistive Technology show.

Steve

I hope you will join me next week, for another edition of the Assistive Technology show.

Steve

At first glance, these may seem to be minor fixes, however, as someone who uses a Mac for just about everything these days, they’re a big deal. After all, increased responsiveness translates to greater efficiency whether that relate to VoiceOver, or the faster launching of applications. To me, it also reaffirms Apple’s commitment to the blind in that they continue to work on VoiceOver VS putting it off until a major release.

If you’re using a Mac, have Snow Leopard and want the update, simply go to Software Update located under the Apple menu. Software Update will eventually tell you about the update — it may take a few minutes as everyone is downloading it now — and it should walk you through the installation process. I’d also encourage anyone who thinks Apple should put descriptions, or at least a link detailing VoiceOver changes in its update release notes to Email accessibility@apple.com and let them know your thoughts.