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Month: February 2023

The Humanware Third Generation Victor Reader Stream with Lab Computers’ Aaron Linson

Posted in Podcasts

In this episode of the Life After Blindness podcast, I’m joined by my friend Aaron Linson from Lab Computers to talk about the all-new Victor Reader Stream 3rd Generation from HumanWare.

Aaron’s spent some quality time testing out the device, and in this episode, we break down what’s new, what’s improved, and why a lot of people in the blind and visually impaired community still love using a dedicated device like this — even with smartphones offering so many options these days.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

The evolution of the Victor Reader Stream through the years

New button layout and improved tactile feedback

Better Wi-Fi (5 GHz!) and smoother downloads and streaming

Internal memory plus SD card support up to 1 TB

Separate mic and headphone jacks, USB-C charging, and a louder speaker

File support for DAISY, MP3, EPUB, NLS BARD, Bookshare, podcasts, and more

New voice options and updated navigation menus

Battery life (up to 15 hours) and lightweight, portable design

Why this kind of standalone device still makes sense, especially when smartphone apps crash, update unexpectedly, or drain your battery

ABOUT AARON LINSON

Aaron is a Product Support Specialist at Lab Computers and a longtime user of assistive tech. He’s worked with Google, Fable, and others to test and improve accessible tools and devices. He really understands what works—and what doesn’t—for blind users.

To reach Aaron directly:

Email: aaron@labcomputers.com

Phone: (502) 447-4586

AVAILABILITY

The Victor Reader Stream 3rd Gen is available now in the U.S. for $550 from HumanWare. It’s expected to launch in Canada and the UK soon.

STAY IN TOUCH

Got questions or feedback about this episode? I’d love to hear from you.

Email me: tim@lifeafterblindness.com

Follow me on Twitter/X: @labcast

Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/labcast

Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/labcast

Thanks again to Aaron for coming on the show! And as always, remember: There truly can be a life after blindness.

Aira and Seeing AI Updates – MrBeast Funds Cataract Surgeries for 1,000 People | the Question of Sight Restoration

Posted in Podcasts

In this episode of Life After Blindness ,we share some news and updates about two popular apps for the blind and visually impaired: Aira and Microsoft Seeing AI. We also talk about a YouTube video by MrBeast, who paid for cataract surgeries for people in Africa, and we ask you a question: would you want your sight back if you had the chance?

Joining Tim in this episode are two guest hosts who are also technology enthusiasts: Ryan Palm and Charles Hiser. They share their insights and opinions on the topics we discuss, as well as their personal stories and experiences.

Updates about Aira

We discuss the recent changes and improvements that Aira, a service that connects blind and visually impaired users with sighted agents, has made. We mention that Aira has added more agents, offered free calls for certain tasks, and integrated with other apps and devices. We also share our personal experiences and opinions on using Aira and how it has helped us in different situations. We agree that Aira is a valuable and innovative service that enhances the independence and confidence of blind and visually impaired people.

Updates about Microsoft Seeing AI

Next, we talk about the new features and capabilities that Microsoft Seeing AI, an app that uses artificial intelligence to describe the world to blind and visually impaired users, has added. We mention that Seeing AI has added new languages, channels, and functions, such as reading handwriting, describing colors, and recognizing emotions. We also share our personal experiences and opinions on using Seeing AI and how it has helped us in different situations. We agree that Seeing AI is a powerful and versatile app that provides useful and accurate information to blind and visually impaired people.

MrBeast’s video

We watch and comment on a YouTube video by MrBeast, a famous YouTube star, who partnered with a charity called SightSavers to fund cataract surgeries for people in Ethiopia. We mention that the video showed the impact and transformation that the surgeries had on the lives of the people who received them. We also share our personal feelings and thoughts on the video and the topic of sight restoration. We have different perspectives and reactions on whether we would want our sight back if we had the chance, and what factors would influence our decision.

Would you want your sight back?

We continue the conversation on the question of whether we would want our sight back if we had the chance. We mention that this is a personal and complex question that depends on many factors, such as the risks, costs, and benefits of the procedure, the expectations and outcomes of the result, and the identity and lifestyle of the individual. We also share our personal reasons and preferences for wanting or not wanting our sight back. We respect and understand each other’s choices and opinions, and agree that there is no right or wrong answer to this question.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Life After Blindness. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to email me at tim@lifeafterblindness.com or leave a comment on the blog post for this episode.

If you like this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite podcast app and share it with your friends. You can also follow me on Twitter or on Facebook. If you want to support this podcast and help me create more episodes, you can join me on Patreon. As a patron, you will get access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and more.

Until next time, remember: there can be a life after blindness.