New Vision Newsletter
February 2024
Welcome to your February New Vision Newsletter. New Vision at Goodwill seeks to promote independence and equality for people who are blind and visually impaired. We educate, inform, and provide resources, so people with visual impairments can live their fullest lives. We hope you find this newsletter useful, and we would love your feedback through the link shared at the end of this newsletter.
Virtual Training
Personal electronic devices can enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. New Vision offers free instruction on how to use the latest technology and devices to connect to the world and increase independence. Instruction can be provided, in many cases, virtually via telephone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, and in-person by appointment. Please contact us to find out more.
Echo Tips Podcast
New Echo Tips Podcast episodes are released every Wednesday. They are available on your Echo or computer. The podcast features New Vision's instructor, David Ward. These episodes contain micro-sized tutorials on various Amazon Echo features. The newest episodes are available below.
A special thank you to our sponsor, the Virginia Board for the Blind and Vision Impaired, for supporting New Vision's diverse programming!
Latest Episodes
Episode 284 Paying for Alexa, Version Numbers, and a AI Librarian
Episode 285 Volley Games, A Game with AI Smarts!
Episode 286 Blocking Alexa AI Beta and Firewalling it Off
So how can I get it on my Echo? You can ask your Echo the following:
- Alexa, play Echo Tips Podcast.
- Alexa, play next episode or Alexa, skip.
This will play the previous episode since the podcast is sorted from newest to oldest.
If you have an Apple device such as an iPhone or iPad, you can also ask Siri to play the most recent episode. Simply say: "Siri, play the Echo Tips Podcast."
Alternatively, you can play the podcast via the website below, which is screen reader compatible. You can navigate the episode title via heading number 2. Simply press the space bar or otherwise activate the link to start that episode.
tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/
Podcasts
In this episode of the Double Tap Podcast, Steven and Shaun delved into the world of Envision Glasses, exploring the latest updates that were set to revolutionize the way interactedwith technology. They kicked off the conversation by reflecting on their Valentine's Day experiences and the inevitable cheesy moments. But don't worry, quickly pivoted to the tech talk that we all loved. They were joined by Karthik Karnan from Envision, who was ready to spill all the details on what was new and exciting with the Envision Glasses. Check out the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/0f8bfa73-29cc-4217-a2f3-6e0b17cbf1ee.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
Check out this episode of Shaun of the Shed, as he lays out the basics of Braille. Have a listen at the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q0y8iliRjc
The Apple Vision Pro, headset, is a major topic in the tech press, but what can it do for a vision impaired person. Check out the two videos below from Sam, from the Blind Life YouTube channel. You'll find his various videos give a very comprehensive breakdown. In this video Sam shows off several of the accessibility features and basic navigation techniques a vision impaired person would use on the headset, including VoiceOver and various low-vision settings. Check out the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGhQ6hwo3HA
Some of his final thoughts, you'll find in the below video, after more than a week of testing the Vision Pro. Have a listen at the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2YcVeyTNY
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for January 2024. AppleVis is a premier website for reviewing Apple-related devices and Apps from a visual impairment perspective. This edition topics include the arrival of Black Ink crosswords for iOS and the exciting Dawncaster: Deckbuilding RPG game. Check out the newsletter for more information on these and other exciting updates from the AppleVis community!
https://www.applevis.com/newsletter/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-january-2024
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, ask HowStuffWorks to organize my life.
- Alexa, remind me to turn off the sprinkler in 30 minutes.
- Alexa, start Knight Manager.
- Alexa, tell me a coffee joke.
- Alexa, find nacho recipes from Food Network.
- Alexa, how many sticks of butter are in a cup?
- Alexa, help me with school.
- Alexa, open Splash.
- Alexa, open Let's Chat.
- Alexa, open Character AI.
For more about what's new with Alexa check out the official blog by clicking the following link: Alexa Blog.
Your Thoughts
If you have any thoughts about what could be mentioned in an upcoming newsletter or comments on this newsletter feel free to reply or fill out the following form. See the following link: New Vision Feedback Form.
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Contact Info
Assistive Technology Instructor,
New Vision at Goodwill
Email: dward@goodwillvalleys.com
Phone: 540.985.8900
Office: 3601 Thirlane Rd. NW, Suite 5,
Roanoke, VA 24019