Audio Content Index

A T Guys is now carrying the Meteor Vibrating Pocket Watch from Alexandra Vision, a simple timepiece which allows you to check the time discretely and conveniently. Here's a brief podcast giving more info and demonstrating how the watch functions. order the Meteor Vibrating Pocket Watch. A text transcription of the demo is also available.

Blind Bargains provided wall to wall coverage of CSUN 2013, featuring interviews and hands-on demonstrations from some of the biggest names and companies in the industry. But not surprisingly, things didn't always go as planned. We now present to you the rest of CSUN 2013.

The highly-anticipated next generation of Humanware's Victor Reader Stream is now shipping and includes several new features including wireless capabilities, USB charging, and a smaller size. In this podcast, we speak with Victor Reader Product Manager Matthew Janusauskas to get a hands-on demonstration of some of the new features including the new built-in voices. We also discuss some of the potential features planned for the free firmware updates including expanded use of the wireless chip and an update on Audible support. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

A new online book will soon be published offering an up-to-date and detailed guide to all accessibility features available on iOS devices. Those purchasing iOS Access for All which is expected to cost less than $10, will also receive free updates as new features are introduced. The effort is lead by experienced Freelance writer Shelly Brisbin who joins us to talk about her experience and her plans for the book in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Learning Ally has begun to add text to some of their audio recordings, allowing for readers to both listen to and read several hundred books in their collection. Terrie Noland, National Director of Professional Development and State Initiatives for Learning Ally, joins us to explain how these new services work on this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Dancing Dots has created a new set of braille music tutorials using the Talking Tactile Tablet called Music Touch. Bill McCao wnn, President and founder of Dancing Dots, tells us more and gives us an audio demonstration of the tutorials in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Alexandra Vision was showing a new line of elegant vibrating pocket watches which can be used to check the time by touch. Helene Richardot, Marketing and Sales Manager for Alexandra Vision, tells us more and shows us how the watch functions in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AI Squared has now released their first version of ZoomText for the Mac and it offers many accessibility features which PC users have come to expect from magnification software. Meanwhile, the ZoomText ImageReader is AI Squared's document camera solution for the PC and works with both ZoomText or a screen reader to provide OCR capabilities. Derek Bove, Technical Product Manager for AI Squared, tells us all about the latest hardware and software from AI Squared in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Logickeyboard offers full-size keyboards which include large print symbols for easier viewing for those with low vision. This year at CSUN they featured a new Bluetooth model along with a LogicLight, a usb peripheral for illuminating a keyboard. Sales Director Howard Chan joins us on this podcast to tell us more about the company and their latest offerings. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Bookshare has eliminated the need to download books in order to read them by offering a browser-based book reader compatible with most browsers. In addition, some new bookshelf features allow you to organize your favorite titles for easy retrieval. We speak with Allison Hilliker, Collection Development Associate for Bookshare, to learn about the latest developments with the service in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

LookTel continues to release new apps for the iPhone including a new free VoiceOver tutorial. They also continue work on their Breadcrumbs GPS app and are planning to take the company nonprofit. To learn about all of this, we speak with Cara Quinn, Software Developer for Looktel, in this audio interview. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Braille Institute offers several iOS apps for free including a web browser for low-vision users, an app which simulates various eye diseases, and an application directory focusing on accessible apps. To learn more about these apps and a local information service they manage, we speak with Administrative Assistant Eliza Burmester and Reader Services Coordinator and BARD Administrator Brian Albriton in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Code Factory continues to update its Mobile Accessibility software for Android devices, which is now free on several U.S. carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. We speak with Ferran Gallego, Chief Technology Officer for Code Factory, to learn about the latest features of the screen reader in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The B2G, the forthcoming notetaking/PDA solution from the National Braille Press and Deane Blazie, is on its way to being released, perhaps as early as this fall. It'll feature the latest Android operating system and a likely cost of under $2,500 for a 20-cell unit. In this podcast, Brian MacDonald, President of National Braille Press, gives us an update on the project and also how you can win up to $20,000 for developing apps. We also get an update on their research with full-page braille displays. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Sight Compass is a new technology which gives travelers information about their environment at a short range using wireless technology, without the need for a phone signal or a data connection. The free app is currently available for the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5 and will soon come to Android, Windows and other platforms. Briggs Cunningham, one of the inventors of Sight Compass, gives us a live demo of how the technology works in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Nearby Explorer is a fully-featured advanced GPS solution which was recently released for Android smartphones by the American Printing House for the blind. It includes many advanced features common to accessible GPS solutions including virtual navigation and custom points of interest as well as some new options and functions including public transit integration. We went outside with Technology Project Leader Larry Skutchan to get a hands-on demonstration of the software and some of its latest features. We also ask about the possibility of an iOS version and talk about possibilities with indoor navigation. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The makers of the Seika braille displays were displaying some tactile artwork drawn by blind Japanese students, using a pen-shaped device called the Pico which transfers balls of wax into raised lines. Hideaki Kaneko, president of Nippon Telesoft explains how it works in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Milestone 112 is the latest in the Bones line of digital audio recorders and is now their low-end model, focusing primarily on digital recording. We speak with Robert Kempf, Product Manager for Bones, to learn about the device and the latest with the company in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The TactileView Tactile Graphic Design Software allows you to print a wide variety of graphics and images on to most modern embossers, and can also be used with a custom tablet to create images accessibly. Emily Axelsson, Customer Service Director for IRIE AT tells us how it all works in this audio interview. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The free Window-Eyes 8.1 update includes some bug fixes and enhancements, especially for Windows 8 and Office 2013 users. We speak with Doug Geoffray, Vice President of Product Development and Support at GW Micro, to learn about the latest features and the future of Window-Eyes including potential touch screen support and how long Windows XP users will have until they have to upgrade in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Braille and Print combines an Index Everest embosser with an HP ink cartridge for a one-box solution for producing braille and print simultaneously without losing any braille lines on the page. Meanwhile, the Braillo 300 is the latest in high-speed embossers for production houses and larger transcribing firms. We speak with Jason Castaneda, Director of Sales and Support for American Thermoform Corporation and David Merriman, Director of Sales for Braillo Norway, to learn all about them in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Though the name has changed, Triumph Technology is still the master distributor for Handy Tech braille displays in North America, and their new Basic Braille line is more affordable than prior generations. To learn more, we speak with President Earle Harrison in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Earl is a new iPhone and soon-to-be Android app which presents newspapers using a simplified audio and voice-driven interface for blind users and those who are less comfortable with smartphones. Angle, LLC president and founder David Bong and chief evangelist Bill Spiry give us a hands-on demo of the app and talk about its development in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Firefox browser for Android is now fully accessible with Android devices, providing a fully-functioning browser experience for Talkback users, even with older versions of Androids. Meanwhile, work is progressing on the Firefox OS, a new and open-source mobile platform which will eventually include a built-in screen reader. Eitan Isaacson, Software Developer for Mizilla, demonstrates the latest with Firefox for Android and the development of the Firefox OS in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In 2011, we covered the new Phoenix embosser from Enabling Technologies, a single-sided unit that also features high-resolution graphics. Since that time, the graphics software has received some major updates. In this podcast, we welcome back Enabling Technology's President Tony Shenk to give us the latest on this embosser and the software. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

A new service called Smart911 is available which connects directly with local 911 call centers to provide important safety information in case of an emergency. We speak with Community Marketing Manager Jessica Olson who explains how the service works and how you can sign up. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Lego Mindstorms NXT is perhaps one of the most popular holiday gifts for teenagers and adults, and how blind people can be a part of the fun as well, thanks to a program called JBrick. In this interview, We spoke with Stephanie Ludi, an Assistant Professor of Software Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology, to learn how this free and open-source software can be used accessibly to program robots to do fun things and learn about computer science. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

While many companies focus on advanced smartphones with Internet access and dozens of other features, one company features simple-to-operate devices designed for seniors and those who are hard of hearing. Gary Moore, Account Manager National for Clarity Products,American Foundation for the Blind.

One of the most talked about devices at CSUN 2013 was the forthcoming accessible graphing calculator. Orbit Research and APH are colaberating to create an accessible version of the hugely popular and mainstream TI-84 Plus Graphinc Calculator and we talked to doctoral student and product tester Sina Bahram to learn all about it and try it out. This podcast is presented in stereo so you can hear the full effect of the graphs, and we recommend listening to it with headphones for the best effect. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

It wasn't very long ago when NVDA was a tiny screen reading project which happened to make a few parts of the computer accessible. The screen reader has come a long way from its early days, and 2013 brings with it Powerpoint support, support for more braille displays, and much more. NVDA lead developer Mick Curran took some time to catch us up and discuss the future of the free screen reader in an extended audio podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Ananse Productions is back with a new mobile game, and this time, it's all about words. Letter Clever, a multiplayer word game,will soon be released for iOS and later Android, and Jim Denham is hear to give us a demonstration and tell us all about it in this podcast. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2013 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In case you missed it, here's an audio demonstration of the new Quantum Bar Code Scanner from A T Guys with the latest version of Bar Code Finder. The Quantum is a USB-based bar code scanner which can be used to identify millions of items including food, books, household items, CD's, movies, non-prescription medications, and much more. It's powered by a variety of sources including Directions for Me from Horizons for the Blind, Amazon.com, Bookshare, and many more. You can purchase the scanner for $149 from A T Guys.

We didn't get a chance to catch up with Freedom Scientific at CSUN, so thought it would be a good idea to find out the latest. In this audio podcast, we learn about the latest features in Jaws and some new developments for their notetaker line.

There was even more to see at CSUN 2012, and we'll be recording some more podcasts to cover what we missed. Serotek released version 2.0 of their Accessible Event platform which adds many new features to the online meeting platform including text chat, polls, and mobile device support. We speak with Serotek's Ricky Enger to bring us up to speed in this podcast.

Hims feels the notetaker market is here to stay and was showing off new BrailleSense models as welllas a new braille display at CSUN. In this podcast, we speak with Hims Technical Support Specialist Jenny Axler to talk about their latest devices and the company's views on the current notetaker marketplace. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The road to a final product for 6dot has been long and treacherous, but the company now has a finished product and is taking orders. Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of their journey was the campaign to raise funds through the crowdsource donation site Kickstarter. In this podcast, Karina Pikhart, President of 6dot Innovations, tells us more about the company's story, some of the challenges they faced, and how to order a 6dot. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

It's gone through many names including the Braille Wizard, but the Android-based notetaker now known as B2G may finally be headed for retail. Brian Macdonald, President of National Braille Press, explains the history behind the project and talks about what's next and when it might be released. He also discusses a concept in the works for a full-page braille display. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Using the touchscreen or a traditional Bluetooth keyboard are not the only ways to control an iOS device. In this audio podcast, we speak with Jaewoo Ahn, CEO of Mobience, to learn more about the device, which is currently available in South Korea. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The team at Yahoo! Accessibility is often not widely noticed but is working on a variety of innovative projects to improve accessibility for their websites, mobile apps, and the Internet as a whole. So how does Yahoo! Accessibility aim to accomplish these goals, and what is their role in the overall company? To learn more, we speak with Senior Accessibility Program Manager Victor Tsaran, Accessibility Engineer Ted Drake, and Social Media Manager Nate Ebrahimoon in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Duxbury continues to pack in new features to their flagship translation software for Windows, features which may also appear in a product for the Mac. Neal Kuniansky, Director of Marketing and Sales for Duxbury Systems, talks about the latest developments in this audio podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

If you're looking to get paid to perform website usability testing, Knowbility's Accessworks may be a good match for you. Jayne Schurick and Jennifer Sutton have been contracted by Knowbility to help administer and promote the service, and we talk with them to learn all about it and how you can get involved as a tester or content provider in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Close captioning television shows for the deaf is a commonly used technology, but what about radio programs? Sam Goldman, Technical Research Associate from NPR Labs, is part of a team developing a solution which includes the ability to provide braille radio captions for the deaf-blind using open-source software. We learn more about the technology in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

If you tried out the Blio eBook reading software when it was first released, the company hopes you'll give it another chance. James Gashel, Vice President for Business Development at KNFB Reading Technology, explains what has changed and how version 3.0 is now accessible to multiple screen readers and platforms. We also discuss the future of the KNFB Reader including plans for an iOS version. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

LookTel continues to produce affordable apps for iOS devices, the latest being their object recognition program. In this audio interview, Eyal Binshtock, Business Development for LookTel, gives us a demonstration of how the app works and talks about the future of the company. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AbiSee has updated their low-vision and blindness portable reading products with the Eye-Pal Vision and the Eye-Pal Reader. Ilana Voldman, QA Manager for AbiSee, explains more in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Electronic Brailler has been modified since its prototype phase and now includes a new braille remote learning component called BERT. David Pillischer, President of Electronic Brailler LLC, explains more about the system in this audio interview and his vision for saving teachers time and money in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Optelec recently announced the Compact 5 HD, a portable video magnifier with a high definition display and an autofocus camera. Optelec Marketing Communications Manager Courtney Berg tells us all about it in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

While BAUM Retec is largely known for braille displays, the company is now expanding the product line to include the Visio Book, a portable desktop video magnifier available in the United States from APH. Niels Vanweele, International Sales Manager for Baum, talks about the company's entry into the low-vision market in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

HumanWare has been busy over the past several months, promoting their latest generation of Brailliant braille displays, releasing an update for the mPower series with PDF support, and updating their desktop video magnifier line with the SmartView Synergy PI. To learn more, we speak with HumanWare's Greg Stilson, Technical Product Manager, and Ed Wikdall, Western Regional Low-vision Sales Manager, in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Perkins Products was busy showing their latest braille technology offerings at CSUN 2012 including the latest Seika braille display, branded in the U.S. as the Perkins Products Mini, and an updated Next Generation Perkins Brailler. Gayle Yarnall, Director of Adaptive Technology at Perkins Products, explains more in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

While many publishers are providing less than ideal access to their textbook collections, CourseSmart is one that is bucking the trend and providing equal access in a partnership with the Student E-rent Pilot Project or STEPP. In this podcast, We speak with Kevin Chao, Quality Assurance Specialist for STEPP, to learn more about the program and how students can gain access to these textbooks. We also discuss the Federated Textbook Finder, allowing users to search a variety of sources for books. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

AI Squared has recently released ZoomText version 10, featuring support for an HD webcam as a video magnifier. Plus, the iLoView is a portable video magnifier and the company's first foray into this space. We speak to Marketing Project Manager Rebecca White to learn more and discuss AI Squared's plans for Windows 8 in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

With the forthcoming release of the next generation of the BraillePlus, Larry Skutchan from the American Printing House for the Blind was ready to show off some of the guts of the device. In this podcast, we explore the unit and some of its apps, especially the Nearby Explorer GPS app which likely will also be available on the Android Market. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In Europe, many audible traffic lights are activated through the use of a mobile device such as a phone or the Kapten Plus GPS. In this podcast, Fabrice Mercier, International Sales Manager for EO Guidage, gives us a demonstration and talks about the company's efforts to install the system in the United States. View an English translation of the site. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Capti seeks to change how you listen to the web, both with an iPhone app which allows for offline website viewing and a Firefox extension which can potentially replace the functionality of a screen reader for a more fluid browsing experience. We speak to CharmTech Labs President Yevgen Borodin and Usability Consultant Glenn Dausch to learn more and hear a demonstration in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

We saw several braille displays at CSUN, but only one had a braille keyboard and ran Windows 7. The ESYTime is a laptop with a built-in 32-cell braille display. Jean Laurens, Sales Manager for Eurobraille describes the unit in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

The Job Accommodation Network is a free program which aids employers and employees alike in understanding their rights and responsibilities when it comes to workplace rights and accommodations. Teresa Goddard and Elisabeth Simpson, Senior Consultants for the Job Accommodation Network, explain more in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Access Ingenuity is an assistive technology reseller which also offers website services focusing on section 508 compliance. We speak with Access Ingenuity director Michael Parker to learn more about their products and services in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

In case you missed it, Dolphin Computer Access has rebranded many of their products, unifying their screen reader and magnification products under the SuperNova banner. But the latest versions of their products include many updates as well, including dual monitor support and revamped Internet support. To learn more, we speak with Jeff Bazer, Dolphin Sales Manager for the United States, in this audio interview. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

With the demise of the cassette tape, digital devices have been introduced to replace and expand upon the capabilities of their older siblings. The BookPort DT is a forthcoming desktop version of the digital book player with advanced editing features and Internet connectivity among other enhancements. In the first of two CSUN podcasts from the American Printing House for the Blind's Larry Skutchan, we learn about and try out this device and some of the advanced features that are included. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

What exactly is a premium cane? Mellyssa Lyght with Customer Sales and Service for Ambutech explains the company's latest offerings including a new method for replacing cane tips in this podcast. Blind Bargains coverage of CSUN 2012 is sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

There has been a lot of discussion about the current research from Vanda Pharmaceuticals regarding Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder, so we wanted to learn more about the study and what exactly is involved. In this podcast, we speak with William Hoos to learn more about the study and how to become involved. We also learn of an easy fund raiser for nonprofits which rewards $25 for a completed survey. To take the survey via phone, call (888) 389-7033. Or you can take the survey online More information is available in a five-part series from the Matilda Ziegler website. Here's an audio version of the article. You can also check out an Informational website on Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder as well as following @24sleepwake on Twitter.

We've wasted many hours in our lives on Bop It, so when the latest model came out, Blind Bargains had to try it. Listen in as J.J. plays with the Bop It XT, the latest in the Hasbro line of audio handheld time-wasters. You can purchase it from Amazon.com for $18.

Last week, we posted a link for the Insignia Voice Command AM/FM Clock Radio for $7.99, making it the cheapest such radio by far. For that price, we figured it was worth giving it a test drive. In this podcast, J.J. describes the unit and demonstrates some of its functions. You can still purchase the clock radio for $7.99 from Cow Boom.

For many years, people have asked for a laptop with a built-in braille display and now, one Korean company has delivered. Minseob Jung, Executive Director for the Siloam Welfare Foundation for the Visually Handicapped, explains how the device, which emulates a Seika braille display, works in this audio interview.

The Electronic Brailler is a forthcoming device which includes an electronic braille typewriter as well as the ability to type braille using a computer, targeted for students and schools. David Pillischer, President of Electronic Brailler LLC, explains more about the device and lets us try one out in this audio interview.

The California Telephone Access Program offers free telephone equipment for people of any age with a disability in the state of California, including several models with talking caller ID and other accessible features. Outreach Specialist Pamela Goodwin explains how the service works and how to receive a free device in this audio interview.

The latest version of the Seika, version 5, is more compact and now includes a built-in battery. Tomohiro Hatano, Sales Manager for NipponTelesoft, tells us about the company's latest generation of braille displays in this audio interview.

Using bar codes to hold large amounts of information has not caught on much in the United States, but it is one of the major forms of creating accessible information in South Korea. In this audio interview, Jay Jo of Voiceye explains how their free mobile apps allow for the reading of text encoded in this format and how to create your own codes.

With the increasing requirement and push by the accessibility community for usable and accessible websites, companies are stepping up to offer tools to help businesses and organizations ensure their sites are compliant. Dana Tannatt, Vice President of Customer Solutions for HiSoftware, explains the tools his company offers to help ensure website accessibility and compliance in this audio interview.

Version 5 of the Plextalk Pocket is a free update which now includes support for Internet radio, podcasts, and new file formats. We speak with Plextor's Chief Engineer, Tatsu Nishizawa, to learn about the latest capabilities of the device and try out the Internet radio support in this audio interview.

There's been a lot of talk about the new iPhone app for listening to books from Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic so we figured we would stop by and receive a demonstration. We speak with Margaret Tennant, Western Regional Director of Programs and Services and Peter Beran, Cheif Technology Officer who shows us the product and also mentions a forthcoming demo version of the app in this audio interview.

One of the popular mobility aids at CSUN was a new set of vibratory glasses from Ambutech, known primarily for their canes. VP of Sales and Marketing Gordon Hudek explains more while we try out a pair in this podcast.

Blio, the much talked about eBook platform and software package, is now available in an accessible form and more improvements are planned for the near future. In this podcast, we speak with James Gashel, Vice President for Business Development at KNFB Reading Technology, to learn about the latest progress with Blio and his thoughts on the future of the electronic book industry.

It hasn't taken long for GW Micro to find a new product to restart their hardware division, and this time it's of potential benefit to low vision users. Director of Training Jeremy Curry gives us a demo of a new line of combination CCTV/OCR products including the Orabis and Vocatex in this audio interview.

The LookTel Money Reader has quickly become a popular identification app for iOS devices. Jeremi Sudol, cofounder of LookTel, gives us a demonstration of the app and tells us about his vision for the company in this podcast.

APH has funded some major enhancements to the Sendero Maps product and has now released Talking PC Maps, of special interest to mobility instructors and others in education. To learn more, we speak with Terrie Terlau, Produc Development Project Leader for Adult Life for the American Printing House for the Blind, who gives us an in-depth demonstration of the product in this audio interview.

We were first to report about AviNav, a forthcoming GPS program from the American Printing House for the Blind. Now, with the development of the Orion, or the new version of the Braille Plus as APH is calling it, the future of Wayfinder is becoming much cleared as the code is destined for the Android operating system. Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader for the American Printing House for the Blind, explains how all of these pieces will be connected into a new all-in-one device for the blind and visually impaired in this podcast.

After much anticipation, the 6dot, a new braille labeler which uses standard Dymo tape and allows for all braille contractions, is now available for preorder. Karina Pikhart, President of 6dot Innovations, lets us try out the device and explains how to get one in this audio interview.

Advantage Canes were the world's first cane made of graphite materials. We chat with David Hadzicki, owner of Revolution Enterprises, who explains more about the product in this audio podcast.

The latest products and updates from Dolphin provide for several new options for screen reader and magnification users as well as support for modern applications and a new way to retrieve online information. To learn more, we speak with Andy Leach and Jeff Bazer, Dolphin Sales Managers, in this audio interview.

Serotek's previously announced DocuScan Plus is now available, and will ultimately work with Windows and Mac computers as well as mobile devices. To learn more, we speak with Ricky Enger, Operations Manager for Serotek, who gives us a quick tour of both the hardware and software behind the system in this audio interview.

Tactile World is a new company which offers a mouse which gives braille feedback based on what's on the screen. In this podcast, Douglas Martin, Dr. Igor Karasin, and Joshua Loya from Tactile World tell us about the Tactile Explorer as we try out its functionality and play a very addictive game.

The Orion is a forthcoming Android-based device which will modernize the Icon and include up-to-date hardware and software components. Guido Corona, Director of Marketing for LevelStar, LLC, gives us a first glimpse and a quick demonstration of some of the functionality of this new line of devices in this audio interview.

NVAccess, makers of the popular and free NVDA screen reader, has become one of the most feature-rich open source programs available for the blind today. In this podcast, we speak with NVDA's two primary software developers, president Mic Curran and vice president Jamie Teh about how NVDA got its start, some of the challenges and triumphs along the way, and what the future may hold. The need for future funding is also discussed, along with the possibility of selling licenses for text-to-speech engines such as Eloquence.

In addition to the new Braille Box, the rest of Index's embossers are gaining a major overhaul as well, known as version 4. Bjorn Lofstedt, owner of Index Braille, explains the improvements in these latest models in this audio interview.

A specialized version of a forthcoming Index embosser is the latest solution to provide for braille and print on the same page. Patrick Nunnelly, vice president for American Thermoform, explains more about the ATC Braille and Print in this audio interview.

Version 3 of the Linux-based Gnome desktop features a complete redesign and also includes accessibility features from the ground up. Gnome developer Eitan Isaacson talks about these enhancements and the state of Linux for the blind in this audio interview.

The Magnification Feature Pack is a new add-on available for Optelec's stand-alone OCR solution which includes a hardware controler and new options. Stephan Terwolbeck, President of Optelec U.S., explains the latest enhancements to the Clearrreader+ in this audio interview.

Stem Stumper is an upcoming puzzle game for iPhone including multiple difficulty levels and a completely audio interface. In this audio podcast, Jim Denham from Ananse Productions gives us a sneak peak of the game and tells us all about it.

There's been a lot of talk about Mobile Accessibility, but Code Factory is also busy working on updates for its other products. We catch up with Caroline Ragot, Managing Director for Code Factory, who talks about the latest developments for Symbian and Windows Mobile as well as when the paid version of Mobile Accessibility will be released in this audio interview.

A new nonprofit has been formed which aims to introduce new products and programs to the disability community for a more affordable price. In this podcast, usability consultant Pratik Patel explains how the Center for Access in Innovation in technology (CAIT) hopes to bring more affordable apps and devices to the market and how users can get involved.

The Haptica Braille Watch is a new conceptual design featuring refreshable braille to present the time to the user. Inventor and product designer David Chavez is behind a major fund raising push to make such a watch a reality and is currently raising money on Kickstarter.com to make the watch a reality. In this audio interview, we speak with him and learn more about the watch and how you could potentially own one of the first Haptica watches for yourself.

It's an annual Blind Bargains tradition to pay a visit to our best friend, perched just outside of tower 2. Listen in as we say goodbye to ATIA and our good buddy Sierra, everybody's favorite poolside bird.

Another ATIA conference has come and gone, and J.J. Meddaugh and Matt McCubbin have plenty of thoughts and reactions to share after spending three days in the exhibit hall. Listen to hear their highlights and lowlights of the latest technology in this audio podcast.

Eschenbach came to ATIA with two new video magnifiers, including a new HD model .Eschenbach Marketing Manager Tim Gells explains more in this audio interview.

The next version of Window-Eyes will be released as a public beta very shortly and includes a new user interface, UIA support, and many other enhancements. We speak with several staff from GW Micro including Vice President of Sales Dan Weirich, Vice President of Product Development and Support Doug Geoffray, and Director of Training Jeremy Curry to learn more about the upcoming release in this podcast.

Guerilla has refreshed their line of desktop OCR solutions with two models, one featuring a flatbed scanner and another using a USB-based digital camera. Erin Haithcox, Sales and Marketing Associate for Guerilla Technologies, explains more in this audio demonstration.

Version 11.1 is a major upgrade for the venerable Duxbury Braille Translator and includes support for many new formats including .DOCX files. Neal Kuniansky, Director of Marketing and Sales for Duxbury Systems, talks about the many new features of this release in this audio interview.

Baum is well-known in many parts of the world for their expansive line of braille displays We learn about their product line and some of the latest features with Baum Sales Director Henning Baum and Bay Area Digital's Chris Gray in this audio interview.

Shortly after history was made at Daytona International Speedway when a blind driver navigated a course around the 3.5 mile track, blind driver Mark Riccobono and others addressed the media at Daytona. Listen in as we bring you the entirety of this press conference. You can also listen to the actual event.

History was made at Daytona International Speedway as a blind driver took to the speedway an navigated a course around the track. Mark Riccobono was behind the wheel of a Ford Escape vehicle modified with a nonvisual interface. Listen in to Blind Bargains coverage from trackside at the Blind Driver Challenge. You can also listen to the press conference after the event.

Enabling Technologies brought the Phoenix to ATIA 2011, a new single-sided embosser which can produce both high-quality braille and high-resolution graphics. Tony Schenk, President of Enabling Technologies, returns to Blind Bargains to show us how it works and manages to slip in a bit of embosser history in this audio interview.

BookShare came to ATIA loaded with press releases and news, including talk of a new iPhone app and developer API. Betsy Beaumon, General Manager of the Literacy Program for Benetech, talks to us about this, gives a demonstration of the app, and explains their latest initiatives in this audio interview.

Clarity has an affordable video magnifier which is so new, it doesn't even have a name yet. Clarity's Marketing Director Armin Flores explains more and also tells us about one of their flagship desktop products in this audio podcast.

The Index Braille Box is a high-speed production braille embosser with a not-so-high price tag. To tell us more, we speak with Bjorn Lofstedt, owner of Index Braille, who gives us a demonstration in this audio interview.

While many people may be familiar with the popular book reader models, the Milestone 312 has often slipped under the radar as unnoticed, at least in the U.S. So we talked to Daniel Ilar, VP of Sales and Business Development for Bones, who gives an in-depth demonstration of the audio player and some of its accessories in this audio podcast.

Optelec was showing its new ClearReader+ all-in-one portable OCR solution at ATIA for the first time. To tell us more, CEO Michiel Van Schaik shows us how it all works in this audio demonstration.

What exactly is Active Braille? Earle Harrison, President of HandyTech North America, explains how this new braille display follows the user while they read in this audio interview. Also, listen to learn about HandyTech becoming a distributor of the Accomplish Cash Manager, an accessible home and business accounting package.

The next version of Talks, tentatively called version 5.2, will include support for OVI Maps as well as several new phone models. Monty Lilburn, Product Manager for Nuance Talks, explains more and gives an Android teaser in this audio interview.

AI Squared is here at ATIA 2011 and talking about something else besides Zoomtext, a new OCR and video magnification app for the iPhone called ZoomReader. VP of Business Development Doug Hacker tells us more and provides a brief demonstration in this podcast.

Earlier this week, Humanware began to preview its latest version of KeySoft 9.1, a free update for the notetaker series. To dig deeper into that arena as well as learn about the latest with the Trekker Breeze, we speak with Greg Stilson, Product and Support Specialist for Humanware, in this extended, hands-on demonstration.

Coming into the ATIA 2010 conference in Chicago, there were certainly a lot of questions to ask Hims after their departure with GW Micro. Hims Inc. President James McCarthy and Operating Director Randy Ahn explain the reasoning behind opening a U.S. sales office for the company and what the future holds in this audio interview.

One of the big stories from ATIA 2010 in Chicago was the ending of the relationship between GW Micro and Hims. Dan Weirich, Vice President of Sales for GW Micro, comments on the ending of their relationship with Hims and what it might mean for the future of hardware products with GW Micro. We also beg him for some Window-Eyes 8 hints.

At ATIA 2010 in Chicago, ViewPlus was showing a prototype of a new print/braille embosser which can print on 12 by 18 paper at up to 400 characters per second. Steve Young, Marketing Representative for ViewPlus, demonstrates the EmFuse Color Braille Station in this audio interview.

Jaws for Windows version 12 has introduced several new features including grade 2 braille input and an alternative method of viewing the ribbon. Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management for Freedom Scientific, talks about what's new with Jaws 12 as well as MAGic's dual monitor support and some of the company's reasoning behind the signing of braille display drivers. Also learn his thoughts on the ribbon and if it is still important for computer users to learn it.

The Audio Dart Master has become a popular recreational item and is now being used for leagues across the country. Tomo Lennox of Access Education tells us about the many features of the unit while J.J. tries his best to not injure passersby while throwing darts. Also, a rental option for those who can not afford to buy the unit is discussed. How many attempts will it take J.J. to hit the board?

We posted earlier about Intersection Explorer, a new app for Android which allows you to virtually navigate streets on a map for orientation. Since this concept is perhaps better explained through a demonstration, J.J. has recorded a quick demonstration of this new app.

Often, we end up taking advantage of the deals we post to Blind Bargains. The Eton FR300 emergency crank-powered radio is one such deal, and J.J. offers a quickfire review in this podcast. While the Newegg special is sold out, you can search for more deals on this and other similar emergency radios. Also, you can Read the product information and manual for this radio.

We recently received the new Thermoworks Instant Read Talking Thermometer, and it's time to put it to the test. Listen in as Matt and J.J. describe the unit as well as testing it in boiling water. If you wish to purchase one, Blind Mice Mart has them for $35.95 plus shipping.

Canon has introduced several accessible solutions for their copiers and printers, especially marketed toward small businesses. Paul Albano, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Solutions Marketing, explains Canon's new accessible solutions for several of their portable business machines in this audio interview.

En-Vision America has once again created a smaller and lighter I.D. Mate, this time naming it the Summit. We talk with David Raistrick, Vice President of Envision America, about the new device and the differences between the Summit and the I.D. Mate Omni in this audio interview.

Enhanced Vision brought a new version of the Pebble 4.3 and a prototype for a new USB magnification system called the Transformer to CSUN. Marc Stenzel, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, shows us these new products in this audio interview.

It's great to see innovative products which take advantage of mainstream technology, regardless of disability. One example is a piece of software for the iPhone which aids those who are unable to speak in communicating. Samuel Sennott, a Ph.D. Student at Pennsylvania State University and creator of Proloquo 2 Go, explains how his product has the potential to change another disability market.

Yet another competitor in the portable reading machine field has emerged, and this one also includes a built-in magnifier. Erik Bondemark, CEO of Low Vision International, shows us how MagniLink Go can not only read printed material, but serve as a magnifier as well in this audio interview.

Yes, there really is a Blio, and we have the audio demo to prove it. James Gashel, Vice President for Business Development at KNFB Reading Technology, gives us an extended tour of this potentially revolutionary program in this audio interview. Note: a couple of the books in this demonstration contain some strong language.

Sitting near the end of one of the aisles was a stationary exercise machine which caught our attention. It's actually a very useful tool for those with limited movement to help gain more control of their muscles. Eric Lewis, Account Manager for Flexiciser, explains more while we try the machine out in this audio interview.

GW Micro announced several new products in conjunction with Hims earlier in the conference, and we wanted to find out more about them. So we once again speak with Raul Gallegos, Product Specialist for GW Micro, to learn more about them in this audio interview. Raul also gives a hint or two on the forthcoming 18-cell BrailleSense notetaker, a story Blind Bargains was first to break last week.

Braille2000 makes several departures from the traditional braille transcription model, one of which is the ability to lease a copy. Listen as Robert Stepp, owner of Computer Application Specialties Company explains this along with some of the features of this WYSIWYG braille translation program in this audio interview.

The search has ended, and the American Foundation for the Blind has chosen Lee Huffman as the new editor of its popular and long-running AccessWorld technology publication. Huffman has written a variety of articles for the magazine in the past and will oversee an expansion to monthly publication this summer. Listen in as we learn more about the magazine's history and its future direction in this audio interview.

Serotek has made some enhancements to its RIM remote access service which includes claimed responsiveness improvements. We talk about this, but also much more including CSUN conference observations and the answer to the question of where J.J. stayed for $26 a night, in this extended audio podcast with Michael Lauf of Serotek.

The DAISY book player competition may have just become a bit more interesting with the pending support for wireless file sharing, podcasts, and Internet radio streams in the Plextalk Pocket. We speak with Plextor's Chief Engineer, Tatsu Nishizawa, to learn about the new and forthcoming capabilities of the device in this audio interview.

The Sendero Group recently announced two new GPS applications, one which brings basic navigational information to the iPhone and another which offers virtual map exploration in Windows, similar to the old Atlas Speaks product. Listen in as we speak to Charles LaPierre and demo these new applications as well as discuss the new features in GPS 2010 for the BrailleNote family of PDA's..

Windows isn't the only operating system with free and open-source screen reading alternatives and Gnome wants you to try their fully-accessible Linux solutions, including Orca. Eitan Isaccson, accessibility activist, and Willie Walker, leader of the Gnome Accessibility project explains the project and talk about the current and future development status in this audio interview.

Nippon Telesoft Co., makers of the Seika braille display, have developed a system which allows blind people to read the lyrics from a karaoke music system. The lyrics which are normally displayed on a monitor are shown in grade 2 on the display. Listen as J.J. tries out the system and sings part of a Stevie Wonder classic. We think they may regret ever creating this system after hearing this recording. Cover your ears.

Japanese Company KGS Corporation, also makers of many braille display components, has created an automatic braille labeling system designed for those who need to create large quantities of labels quickly. Listen in as Tony Schenk, President of Enabling Technologies, the U.S. distributor for the labeling system, demonstrates the BL1000 in this audio interview.

With all of the costs for attending a major conference, there is a definite incentive to get your money's worth. Not missing an opportunity, J.J. procures some free advertising in the exhibit hall.

Perhaps some of the most interesting interviews at conferences like CSUN are the ones we never planned on doing. We met up with Lucy Greco who has partnered with Yahoo! to provide a view of the conference via her guide dog. Listen into this audio interview to find out exactly what is going on and how you can follow along. You can view the Flicker Feed here and follow follow Lucy's blog.

We were first to report last week on the forthcoming BookSense DS, a new model of the portable media player with a built-in screen. In this audio feature, we get our first hands-on look at the device, tour the keyboard layout, and give some initial impressions, all with the help of Regional Sales manager Marc Solomon.

Freedom Scientific brought something completely new to CSUN, and it may help many with readingbooks quickly. Listen in as Trainer Dan Clark gives us an early look at the Pearl, a new portable digital camera solution which works with OpenBook.

Viewplus brought some new and upcoming products to CSUN, including a prototype color print/braille magazine-style embosser for the professional sector. In this audio interview, Marketing Representative Steve Young explains how these new products might benefit those looking to print braille and ink on the same page.

After our Intel Reader review, we heard several comments about how the use of the Portable Capture Station (sold separately) would improve our results. Listen in as J.J. Meddaugh tries it out to see if reading is actually improved during this audio podcast.

Oratio, Humanware's screen reading solution for Blackberry smartphones, has garnered a lot of press, both positive and negative. In this extended audio interview, we talk to Michel Pepin, Product Manager for Humanware about the current and future features of Oratio, its future compatibility with other devices, and some of the recent statements which have been made about the software.

No trip to Orlando would be complete without a visit to our best friend, perched just outside of tower 2. Listen in as we say goodbye to ATIA and our good buddy Sierra.

It's time for our audio recap of the festivities at ATIA 2010. Listen in as J.J. Meddaugh and Matt McCubbin discuss the high and low points of the conference and some of the new products on display.

The Book Port Plus was certainly the talk of ATIA, marking the return long-awaited return to the digital book player marketed by the American Printing House for the Blind. Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader for APH, gives us a hands-on demonstration of some of the features which will be present in this forthcoming product.

We have made several mentions to the newly-crowded OCR field seen at this year's ATIA conference. Sal Terranova, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Guerilla Technologies, explains how their OCR product which uses a netbook and a digital camera differs from the rest in this audio interview.

eSight Corporation was showing off some rather unique optical gear at ATIA. We speak with Rob Hilkes, President, about evSpex, a new custom solution which can solve a variety of vision problems through technology. J.J. also was wearing a pair of evSpex during the interview, though they don't do much for totally blind people.

There's been a lot of talk about Freedom Scientific's signed braille driver initiative but what do other companies think of the move? Sigi Kipke, CEO and Owner of HandyTech, is one who has chosen to speak out and gives his comments, along with some background on HandyTech's new iRead OCR product and the OpenBraille initiative in this audio interview.

The next major release to ZoomText is slated for the summer of 2010. Derek Bove, Sales Specialist for AI Squared, talks about the latest with the product and why he feels specialized screen magnification software is still relevant in this audio interview.

Freedom Scientific introduced a new version to its long-running OpenBook OCR product at ATIA in Orlando. Dusty Voorhees, Senior Product Manager, talks to us about OpenBook version 9, MAGic 12, and the latest from the company in this audio interview.

GW Micro recently announced support for SAMNet content on the Booksense media player. Jeremy Curry, Director of Training for GW Micro, talks about this and the company's latest products, his thoughts on the latest screen reading trends, and what's on the horizon in this audio interview.

Mobile technology dominated several of the booths at this year's ATIA conference. In this audio interview, Greg Gladman, Chief Technical Officer for Code Factory, talks to us about the recently-released Mobile Speak 4 and the future of Code Factory screen readers.

Depending on the software you wish to use, the access to Adobe products varies widely. One accessibility advocate within the company is Andrew Kirkpatrick, Senior Product Manager for Accessibility. We speak with him about Adobe's accessibility initiatives and future access for Adobe Digital Editions, Adobe Air, and other products in this audio interview.

Braille readers may have been introduced to GH, LLC, because of their involvement in producing the braille program guides at this year's conference. In this audio interview, we speak with Shashank Patel, Director of Sales and Marketing for GH, LLC, about their new DAISY software for the Macintosh platform and the company's other initiatives.

We've finally been able to hear an audio demonstration of the forthcoming Blio software. In this audio clip, James Gashel demonstrates the Blio software running on a laptop computer and the iPhone at the National Federation of the Blind's Washington Seminar.

Optelec has made improvements to the Clearview Plus, offering a new one-on-one magnification option while the recently-released Compact Mini offers portable magnification for under $500. We speak with Kelly O'Neill, Marketing Director for Optelec, about the latest magnification tools from the company and their new line of custom skins to personalize your device.

For nearly 20 years, AbleData has provided a free, searchable database which provides information on thousands of assistive technology products and companies. To learn more, we speak with Project Director Katherine Belknap about the services offered at this popular, free website.

Earlier, we posted a quick audio demo of a ClickAndGo Map, a new service which provides pedestrian-friendly directions taylored for blind and visually impaired travelers. We speak to Joe Cioffi, founder of InTouch Graphics, the company behind these innovative maps in this audio interview.

It's often interesting to talk with some of the companies which provide tools to help those with other disabilities and understand how they overcome challenges that are presented. Roberta Scherf, Founder of Thinking Moves, talks about a new DVD called Me Moves, designed to help in theraputic sessions and in the classroom.

Dancing Dots is primarily known for their music editing software, but now have announced their expansion into a new market with the introduction of a product for low vision users. Founder and President Bill McCann, explains how a new touchscreen music magnification system can provide new opportunities for students and musicians alike in this audio interview.

A lot is happening in the world of accessible GPS solutions. In this audio interview, We talk with Mike May, CEO of Sendero Group about the latest versions of their GPS software, some of the new features of version 6.3 and version 7,, the upcoming integration of Google Transit feed data for GPS users, and the hole left by the departure of Wayfinder Access.

Remember the TransCend? It was an innovative device which allowed you to put print and braille on the same page. Now, the device has been reborn. Charlie Kiefer, Product Manager for Enabling Technologies, explains how it works in this audio interview.

Deane Blazie was a recipient of the 2010 Migel Medal, for his work on the Brraille 'n Speak and his contributions to the assistive technology field. In this exclusive audio interview, we talk to Blazie about his career and some history of Blazie Engineering, as well as his involvement in a project which may yield a forthcoming affordable notetaker.

Talks will soon be available for many Symbian touchscreen devices, including the N97. We speak with Torsten Brand, Talks and Zooms Product manager for Nuance, about the upcoming release of Talks 4.5, which also includes Email support for newer Nokia devices, in this audio interview.

Educators, parents, and students are always seemingly looking for new ways to learn how to to use their assistive technology. To help solve this problem, we speak with Amanda Peters, Product Manager for Atomic Learning, about their online video and audio tutorial service, which includes more than 5,000 solutions for over 80 products including JAWS for Windows and other hardware and software.

So how fast is the MIS OCR solution? Don Leary, Software Developer for EVAS, demonstrates the software as it processes and OCR's a page in the booth in this audio podcast.

The options for portable and semi-portable OCR solutions continue to multiply. Jerry Swerdlick, CEO of EVAS talks about a new all-in-one solution called MIS which will read a page in about 6 seconds, in this audio interview.

Humanware has been busy over the past few months with new product releases and several free updates for existing products. In this extended audio interview, we speak with Dominic Gagliano, Vice President of Sales for the U.S. market and Greg Stilson, Product and Support Specialist for Humanware about a variety of topics. We discuss the design of the BrailleNote Apex as well as some of the changes planned for the next release of Keysoft, the forthcoming free update to the Victor Reader Stream which includes support for a new book format, a free update to the Trekker Breeze, the status of Trekker, Humanware's take on the Intel Reader, and the current status of Orator.

InTouch Graphics has provided pedestrian-friendly directions for navigating around the hotel and conference center here in Orlando, taylored for blind and visually impaired travelers. In this podcast, we put a ClickAndGo map to the test, as we locate one of the meeting rooms for an interview.

Now that we've done the unboxing, it's time to do an in-depth hands on look at the Intel Reader. We explore virtually every function of the device and try it out with several documents in this over 40 minute audio demo. You may be surprised at how it works. Stay tuned for the final part of this series, where we will do a head-to-head OCR and speed comparison with the KNFB Reader Mobile.

When other gadget sites receive a new product in the mail, they'll often post a video unboxing, showing the opening of the package with their initial impressions. We're audio fans on Blind Bargains, so here we present the audio unboxing of the Intel Reader, one of the latest handheld OCR devices on the market. Join us as we find out what's in the box including a general description of the unit. In part 2, we'll take the reader for a test spin.

A lot has been said about the Book Sense, but we thought it may be appropriate to hear from the unit itself. We sit down with Raul Gallegos, Technical Support Specialist for GW Micro, for an in-depth hands-on look into this new device.

Earlier this year, ABISEE, the makers of Zoom-Ex, introduced a new self-contained reading machine which recognizes a printed page in about five seconds. Listen in to a hands-on demonstration of the Eye-Pal Solo with Product

The Refresh-A-Braille 18 has some rather unique qualities in a braille display including a whopping 80 hours of battery life. Larry Skutchan, Technology Project Leader for the American Printing House for the Blind, joins us for a quick hands-on tour of this brand new, lightweight device in this audio interview.

Many new online and home-based courses are available in a wide variety of areas, from business and job hunting skills to training in Microsoft Excel. In this audio interview, Dawn Turco, Senior Senior Vice President of Educational Operations at the Hadley School for the Blind talks about the latest courses offered from the school, which are all available to take for free.

Earlier, we learned a bit about the history and function of the Si Recognizer. Now, we sit down with CEO Marco Gregnanin for a hands-on demonstration, reading everything from printed text to round cans. Listen to find out how the software performs, and more.

We've heard a lot about the SI Recognizer (pronounced See Recognizer) but have not been able to get a good hands-on idea of how the product actually works. In the first of an expanded two-part audio interview, we speak with CEO Marco Gregnanin about the product and explore its functions. Stay tuned for part two where we try out the text recognition software on a variety of objects.

ABISee, Inc. has improved on its text recognition software to make it more friendly for totally blind users. Sales Representative Peter Golfman tells us all about the latest happenings from the company in this audio interview.

National Braille Press has been producing some of the most useful braille reference and leisure reading titles for decades. In this audio interview, we talk to Customer Service Representative Antonio Guimaraes about the latest releases including new reference books for Office 2007 and a guide to labeling just about anything.

There has been much movement recently on the development of the Dolphin product line. Gareth Collins, Technical Support Manager, tells us about the latest features for both PC and mobile users in this audio interview.

The folks over at Plextor are about to introduce a new entry into the portable DAISY recording arena. Though it doesn't even have a name yet, listen in as we talk to Hiroaki Mizukami, International Sales Manager, about a full-featured DAISY recorder that can fit in your pocket.

Blind people in other countries often use different techniques for accomplishing the same tasks. Sam Kim, Sales Manager for AD Information and Communications Company talks about an alternative technique used for reading printed material involving the use of bar codes in this audio interview.

As soon as we entered the exhibit hall, our ears were immediately drawn to this audio exhibit from NASA. Listen as we walk on a virtual sun and make music while Marty Quinn,, founder of Design Rhythmics Sonification Research Lab, tells us all about it.

The latest version of the Icon has added support for Audible books while braille display support is planned. Marc Mulcahy from LevelStar tells us all about it and more in this audio interview.

Those with diabetes are gaining more and more choices when it comes to medical supplies. Elissa Preston, Manager for Homecare Supply of America explains one such option, the Prodigy Blood Glucose Meter in this audio interview.

After months of anticipation, GW Micro has released a public beta of Window-Eyes 7.0. In this audio interview, we talk with several representatives from the company about new features as well as their hardware products.

Buried amongst the high-tech demonstrations in the exhibit hall was a new company dedicated to something completely low-tech. In this audio interview, we speak with Brian Davis, Chairman and CEO of Unipeg North America, who tells us about Wizzpeg, a new product which can ensure those socks stay together.

The big news from Vision Q, the United States distributors for Optelec products, comes in the release of their long-anticipated feature pack for the Alva BC640 braille display. In this audio interview, we talked with Larry Lake, Director of Vision Cue about the latest developments with the company.

While there are several products for listening to audio podcasts and radio stations wirelessly, few are completely accessible. In this audio interview, we speak with Werner Han, owner and founder of Solutions Radio, about a wireless audio solution that is completely accessible and also includes features taylored for blind users.

New safeguards to prevent against data loss are among the features slated for version 6.1 of the PAC Mate Omni. In an exclusive audio interview, Jonathan Mosen, Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific talks about this and many other features of this free update, which should be released very soon. Also, a few hints are dropped concerning JAWS 10 and we discuss the company's convention presence.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated summer product releases is Code Factory's Mobile Geo, the latest entry into the ever-growing GPS software landscape. In this audio interview with Chris Grabowski, technical support specialist for Sendero Group, we hear an initial hands-on demonstration as well as discuss the features of the upcoming product.

With the release of Window-Eyes 7.0, we've been able to make our life a bit easier by using bar codes. In this short demonstration, listen as J.J. uses a bar code scanner and a Window-eyes script to identify packages and read product directions.

Serotek's mantra at the ATIA conference in Orlando was the accessible digital lifestyle. Mike Calvo, founder and CEO, explains what this means for consumers and how the company is increasing access to a wide variety of modern applications including MP3 players, the Victor Reader Stream, and social networking sites. We also talk about Serotek's partnership with Lenovo through the AIR Foundation and the promise of a sub-$1,000 laptop with included screen access software.

Perhaps the highlight of this year's ATIA coverage wasn't the technology on display. Rather, our attention was often drawn to a talking parrot outside of tower 2 of the Caribe Royale Orlando. Listen to this short clip to realize why.

Dancing Dots has been opening doors for professional musicians for over a decade. Bill McCan, founder and President along with Bryan Smart, Lead Technical Support and Trainer give us a live demonstration of an accessible music scanning and braille output system as well as their accessible JAWS scripts for Sonar 7. Not only do these programs function extremely well for professional musicians, the music scanning software would work great for school-aged students who wish to have braille music in their band class.

Read How You Want, a small startup which originally produced large print books, is planning an expansion into the commercial DAISY book market. We talked with Rosanne Goodwin, head of marketing and sales for North America about the company's new accessible book offerings which will be available for close to the price of print books.

We had a chance to look at perhaps one of the most advanced refreshable braille displays on the market. Listen in as we speak with Gert Jan van Barneveld, Account Manager for Optelec, who talks about the ALVA BC640 with Audio Feature Pack, a modern braille display with audio capabilities.

One of the companies who perhaps has released the most new and updated software products in the past year is Code Factory. Greg Gladman, Chief Technical Officer and Irja Gerdes, Internal Sales Director join us to talk about what's new in accessible mobile phone and PDA software as well as what's on the horizon.

We've been waiting patiently to hear more about the upcoming scripting support in Window-Eyes 7.0. In this audio interview, Doug Geoffray, Vice President of Product Development and Support for GW Micro, answers questions about the upcoming release and talks about some of the ways the new language can be used and the scripts that will be included.

On Monday, January 28, a press conference was held at the Holiday Inn Capitol in Washington, DC to announce the KNFB Reader Mobile, the new cell phone-based reading software. Here is the full audio from the event which includes a demonstration of the reader andquestions from the audience.

AIR, standing for Accessibility is a Right, is a new nonprofit foundation initially formed by members of Serotek to promote and increase free access to assistive technology. In this audio interview, Michael Fox tells about System Access to Go, the first product to become freely available as a result of the new initiative as well as the goals of the foundation.

Perhaps one of the biggest product announcements of this year's ATIA conference is the new KNFB Reader Mobile. To tell us all about it, we spoke with James Gashel, Vice President of Marketing for KNFB Reading Technologies. Learn about many of the features of the new phone-based product as well as the future of the KNFB Reader Classic.

We spoke with Jonathan Mosen, Vice President of Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific about the latest hardware and software from the company. Listen to hear about the Pac Mate Omni, JAWS 9, MAGic Pro Scripting Edition, and OpenBook 8 as well as his thoughts about the screen reader industry.

Larry Lewis is the founder of Flying Blind, LLC and a representative for Baum, makers of braille displays and portable CCTV's. In this audio interview, we discuss the latest products from the company including how braille displays can greatly enhance the use of a mobile phone.

GH, LLC makes one of the most advanced software-based DAISY audio players on the market. Listen in as CEO Dave Schleppenbach tells us about the product and the latest enhancements and also demonstrates some of its functionality.