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Echolocation is being talked a lot about these days. There's a new book on how to teach yourself to echolocate, and now from Swiss researchers, there may be an app coming soon that would map out a room using echoes. The app would be able to map out a simple room to help orient the blind person. The technology could also locate a person within a room because everyone's echo is unique. This could make finding our friends or learning the layout of a room that much easier.

Apple announced today that it's adding new content to the apple TV. If you have an HBO Go account, which requires you to be subscribed to HBO, you can now watch content on your apple TV. They have also added ESPN content. In both cases, you need a cable or satellite subscription to access these new features. Note that some people are reporting that the sign-up screen for HBO Go is not accessible with VoiceOver. Let us know your findings in the comments.

There are already two rules in the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act that specify that on screen menus and access to accessibility options such as closed captioning and descriptive audio must become accessible to the blind. The FCC however, is seeking comment to find out if these rules need to be more specific. For instance, should these rules only be applied to cable and satellite providers, or should it be expanded to include devices such as a Roku box. In addition, the FCC is proposing that audio description and close captioning should be able to be turned on using a single button press or another similar method. We've linked to the long and confusing FCC rule proposal. Comments can be submitted until July 15.

JJ Lucia-Wright, a member of Extreme Clowning, an organization that helps the deaf/blind experience entertainment in an accessible way has created the first Star Wars convention that is just for people with disabilities. The convention will take place later this year in Peterborough England. Attendees will be able to tactually explore costumes from the films, meet costume characters and actors from the films, and even get to experience a droid. There will be sign language and tactile sign language interpreters on hand. Donations to the Kickstarter campaign will be used to support the many volunteers that are going to make the event possible. Is this a cool idea, or just a bit weird? Sound off in the comments.

Christopher Toth, maker of Hope the Accessible Pandora and Q-read, has added Chicken Nugget, an accessible PC twitter client to his website. The app is still in beta, but you can now download the beta from the website. You can also purchase an official copy of the app for $15.00.

Technology demonstrations can be a great asset when they are done properly. This past weekend Jonathan Mosen put on his first webinar to teach people how to do demos like a professional. If you didn't catch the webinar live, you can still purchase the recording. Some of the topics covered include: tools for the mac an PC, microphone considerations, what to communicate, and how to get the best exposure for your demo. It's available as a download for $19.95.

There are a number of resources available that offer tips on how to get a job, but most of them are not from the perspective of the visually impaired. Action For Blind People, a UK non-profit has put together a set of videos that provide tips and tricks to getting a job when you have a visual impairment. Some of the topics include: deciding when and how to disclose your disability, the do's and don'ts of applying for a job, and where to look for work. The library of videos is continuing to grow so return to the site periodically for updates. Happy job hunting.

On Friday, Microsoft released its new version of office for the iPhone and iOS devices.
The app is called Office Mobile for 365 Subscribers and as the title suggests,
the app is only for current 365 subscriber's.
There is a way to buy a one month's or year's subscription within the app or on Microsoft's site. Students can also get a special 4-year license for $79.99. According to a post on Apple Vis from Bryan Jones, the app is usable, but there are a number of accessibility issues.

Contrary to what many may think, watching TV is something that many blind people enjoy. At this point though, getting access to the program guide, or something like On Demand from Comcast is pretty much impossible. There are even more hours of audio described programming available then ever before, but in order to turn on that feature you have to go through a set of visual menus. Comcast has decided to address this problem, and they demonstrated their first talking cable TV interface today. According to an article from Comcast, "The ability to navigate the program guide as the interface speaks channel names and numbers, time slots, and program details empowers customers to explore all that Xfinity TV has to offer." The interface will even have a button on the remote that will turn on descriptive audio if it's available. The design is still a prototype, but Comcast hopes to have it available in the near future.

At this point, in order to provide gene therapy for eye conditions affecting the retina, doctors have to insert the genes behind the retina because there are no viruses that are strong enough to get to all of the photo receptor cells that will need fixing. This procedure can be very dangerous. This may soon no longer be a concern though. A team of researchers at UC Berkley have created a virus that will effectively deliver the virus to the photo receptor cells and the needle does not have to go to the back of the eye. This will likely make the therapy more effective. Human trials are in the works. Via UC Berkeley

Amazon has been offering fresh groceries in the Seattle area for a couple of years which is great for Seattle and no one else. Since prime memberships have increased significantly over the past few years, Amazon is going to try out a new version of prime in Los Angeles. For $299 a year, Amazon will provide free delivery of fresh groceries as long as your order is over $35. Imagine never having to go grocery shopping again and having the power of Amazon at the same time. Via Time Business

We have known for quite some time that twitter was going to change it's API and potentially make many twitter clients no longer work. As of June 11th, Easy Chirp and the Qube no longer are working. Q-Continuum, the developer of Hope the accessible Pandora and Q-read has come out with a new twitter client called Chicken Nugget. This link will take you to a dropbox page where you can download the file. The app is still in beta.

AI Squared has announced that the newest version of Zoomtext, version 10.8, is now available. For all current users of Zoomtext 10, this is a free upgrade. Some of the changes include: improved reading support for Outlook 2010, great improvements in Excel 2007 and 2010, and better support of IE 8 and Firefox. Depending on your settings, the update may happen automatically or you can select update in the menu.

VOStarter, the first app to offer training on the VoiceOver screen-reader for iOS has just been released to the app store. Developed by Michael Doise, VO Starter offers tips and hints navigating various iOS elements such as buttons, text fields, tabs and more. It also allows one to practice interacting with these different controls. VO Starter is currently free for a limited time.

HumanWare has released the HumanWare Communicator, an app designed to allow a sighted person to comunicate to a deaf blind individual using an iOS device and a braille display. The deaf blind individual writes messages on the bluetooth braille display, and the sighted person is able to respond using the touch keyboard. All interaction appears both on
the deaf-blind person’s refreshable Braille display, as well as visually on the screen of the iOS device. The HumanWare Comunicator app costs $99.99, and is available now from the iTunes app store.

Here's a nice deal to go along with the savings we posted on Jeans from Kohl's.

Kohl's is now offering 20 to 40 percent Off Select Athletic Shoes for the entire Family. Click the link on this site to browse the deals that end on July 28.

Humanware offers the Trekker Breeze for $729.00 with free shipping. That's $200 off the regular price!

Imagine doing your neighborhood chores freely without having to depend on other people, without having to count your steps or always worrying about getting lost. Breeze tells you where you are, where you are going and what is around, such as stores and public services. Click the link provided or call 1 800-722-3393 to learn more. Deal ends June 30.

Independent Living Aids is offering some great deals on telephones during its Mother's Day Sale with some items shipping for free! Two items of note include:

Braille Speakerphone with Large Numbers, SALE PRICE: $26.40. The large numbers on the keypad of this phone are raised, and have accompanying symbols in Braille.

JV35 Amplified Phone with Jumbo Buttons & Braille, SALE PRICE: $111.95 with free shipping. An outstanding telephone that satisfies the needs of both the hearing and visually impaired. Buttons are High contrast with Braille and voice announcement of each number as it is dialed.

aisquared.com offers 10% savings during their Spring Sale. Use coupon code "SPRING" to get the deal either online or when you call 800-859-0270.

This code is good on anything they sell: there's ZoomText (new products and upgrades), the ZoomText Large-Print Keyboard, the two brand new ZoomText Camera packages, the i-loview handheld video magnifier and ZoomText Express. Deal ends April 30.

independent living aids offers EARTH DAY SAVINGS up to 20% off during its Weekend Warrior Specials sale! Items include:

Aquamaster Indoor/Outdoor Waterproof Clock, SALE PRICE: $51.95

Braille Tactile Map of USA with List of State Capitals, SALE PRICE: $15.25

Braille Tactile World Map and 5 Continent Maps, SALE PRICE: $29.95

Braille Talking USA Jig Saw Puzzle, SALE PRICE: $18.95

Deluxe Talking Pedometer, SALE PRICE: $7.95