Blind Android Users Podcast

Episode 210: 2nd visit with Tech-FreedomWelcome to Episode210.ANNOUNCEMENTSWe would like to remind you that next week, Dec. 21, is our 4th anniversary celebration of the existence of Blind Android Users.We encourage all our readers and listeners to join us in celebrating this monumental milestone.SpotlightWe are joined by the crew of “Tech-Freedom” (their second appearance on our podcast) to talk about the changes that came down earlier this month and what that means for users of the app.TIP OF THE WEEKFor this week’s “Tip of the week,” we highlight some exciting development in the way of Google’s Gemini 2.0, in which an exciting feature called "Stream Real Google AI Studio."This feature has something we’ve been dreaming of, that is, giving us the ability to use the camera on both our phones and on the computer.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us with suggestions or comments, Send in your Android journey stories, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube and rumble channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797

Episode 209, Samsung One UI 7 Beta AnnouncementsThe countdown is on to our 4- year anniversary celebration! We will be recording on 21 December at 12PM Eastern or 9AM Pacific and you are invited to take part.  We’ll be posting a link on our usual channels closer to the time.Android BasicsWe discuss the December feature drop for qualifying Google Pixels, and the announcement that some phones will get upgrades for longer than previously thought.  You can read about these features at this Link.SpotlightWe talk about Samsung’s One UI 7 Beta 1 which you can install on qualifying Samsung phones.App of the weekWarren demonstrates the Aggregator news RSS reader.CommentaryKarene demonstrates the OCR functions and settings of the Jieshuo screen reader.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 208, the role of AI in the life of a blind person AnnouncementsThe countdown is on to our 4- year anniversary celebration! We will be recording on 21 December at 12PM Eastern or 9AM Pacific and you are invited to take part.  We’ll be posting a link on our usual channels closer to the time.Our Youtube channel has reached 1,500 subscribers! Thank you so much for all your support.Android BasicsThe crew discusses the rapidly evolving world of AI and its use cases for blind people.  We discuss the AI capabilities of TalkBack and Jieshuo, implementation of AI by other blindness-specific apps such as Be My Eyes, Seeing AI, PiccyBot and Ally from Envision, and mainstream solutions on which these capabilities are built - ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Also, check out Karene’s article comparing the video description capabilities of Seein AI and Piccybot.TalkBack HighlightsJohn shows us the new screen search reading control we now have access to as of TalkBack 15.1.Tip of the weekKarene demonstrates chat filters in Meta’s WhatsApp Messenger.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 207, All About Android 16 Developer Preview AnnouncementsJoin us in 4 Weeks for our 4- year celebration. We will be recording on Dec 21st at 12PM Eastern or 9AM Pacific and you are invited to take part.Android Basicsandroid 16 has shown itself early this year. We discuss the developer preview that just dropped this past week and what we are looking most forward to.TalkBack HighlightsJohn shows us the new web reading controls we now have access to as of TalkBack 15.1.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 206: TalkBack 15.1 is HereAndroid BasicsWe discuss all that's new in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1.SpotlightTalkBack 15.1 has arrived, and we share everything new we have discovered so far.App of the WeekWarren demonstrates Startpage, a web browser focused on privacy.TalkBack HighlightsJohn shows us the new ways of activating links as of TalkBack 15.1.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 205: Concluding One UI settingsAnnouncementsWe would be delighted if everyone could join us for our 4-year anniversary on Saturday 21 December.  Please join us at noon Eastern, 5 PM UK time and 9 AM Pacific so save the date!Android turned 17 this week.  It can now obtain a driving licence in the UK and apparate in the Wizarding World.Android basicsThis week, John concludes our look at Samsung One UI settings, demonstrating what you’ll find in About phone.App of the weekWarren brings us a demo of Listen AI, another TTS reader.CommentaryKarene demonstrates a new AI-powered feature, which will attempt to describe videos while they’re playing.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 204: Seeing AI Video Descriptions and One UI Tips and User GuideAnnouncementsDon't forget to join us for our 4-year celebration on December 21st at 9 AM PST or 12 PM EST.SpotlightWe discuss all the new features in the latest update to Seeing AI, but focus mostly on our first impressions of the video description feature.Android BasicsJohn takes us through the "Tips and User Guide" portion of Samsung's One UI settings.App of the WeekWarren demonstrates the reading app that calls itself “SpeakUp AI - Text to Speech”.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 203: Big week for Qualcomm and Android15 QPR1 Beta 3ANDROID BASICSThis week has been a busy week for many companies, among them, Google who rolled out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 for Pixel6-series through Pixel9-series.SpotlightThis week, Qualcomm showcased the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite during its annual conference in Maui, HI, where it unveiled the new generation of the Qualcomm chip that would be powering most flagship phones next year.APP OF THE WEEKFor this week’s “App of the week,” we take you on a tour of the “Hermit” browser by Chimbori.The “Hermit” browser combines features of the traditional browsing features with the ability to create “Lite apps” and several customizations for those who like customization.TIP OF THE WEEKFor the tip of the week, Warren shows you how to make sure your phone is taking full advantage of Google's "Find My Device" network.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 202: Android 15AnnouncementsWe would be delighted if everyone could join us for our 4-year anniversary on Saturday 21 December.  Please join us at noon Eastern, 5 PM UK time and 9 AM Pacific so save the date!Android basicsThis week, it’s all about Android 15 which dropped for eligible devices on 15 October.  The crew talk you through some of the key features and changes.App of the weekWarren brings us a demo of Simplenote.Tip of the weekWarren shows us how to archive an app instead of uninstalling it – a new feature of Android 15.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.