Blind Level Tech

Episode Description Artificial intelligence is changing how websites are built, searched, and experienced. But is it actually making the internet more accessible? Evan talks with accessibility specialist Ela Gorla from TetraLogical about the benefits and risks of using AI in web accessibility. They discuss AI-generated image descriptions, automatic captions, accessible coding, and why developers must give AI clear instructions instead of assuming it will produce accessible results automatically. Ela also explains how poorly trained AI could repeat the accessibility failures already found across the web—and what companies can do to create a more accessible digital future. Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome and Introducing Ela Gorla 02:36 – Ela’s Work in Digital Accessibility 03:50 – How Ela Uses AI in Her Work 06:01 – How Generative AI Is Improving Accessibility 08:00 – Using AI Instead of Navigating Websites 09:23 – Why Website Structure Still Matters 10:24 – AI-Generated Websites and Universal Access 11:44 – The Risk of AI Repeating Accessibility Problems 13:53 – What AI Companies Need to Do Differently 16:50 – Giving AI Clear Accessibility Instructions 17:55 – Building Reusable Prompts and AI Skills 19:28 – Connecting With Ela and TetraLogical 20:32 – Contact Aftersight and Closing ★ Support this podcast ★

Episode Description Restaurant menus are supposed to tell you what you can eat. But when the website is inaccessible, the PDF won’t work with a screen reader, or there isn’t a braille menu available, something as simple as ordering dinner can turn into a guessing game. On this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan talks with Avital “Avi” Drel, creator of Meet My Menu, a tool designed to give blind and low-vision diners a more independent way to access restaurant menus. Avi explains how conversations with blind users around the country revealed just how inconsistent menu accessibility can be, from inaccessible restaurant websites to screen readers forcing users through an entire menu from beginning to end. Meet My Menu combines accessible menu formatting with an AI voice agent that can answer natural questions about dishes, prices, ingredients, and other information pulled directly from the restaurant menu. For users who prefer not to use voice, menus can also be presented in a consistent structure designed to work with screen readers and braille displays, including headings and expandable sections. And restaurants may only be the beginning. Avi talks about expanding the same accessibility concept into conferences, theater programs, events, and other information that can be difficult to access independently. Guest Avital “Avi” Drel Creator of Meet My Menu Links Meet My Menu: meetmymenu.com Web App: app.meetmymenu.com (00:05) - — Welcome to Blind Level Tech (02:30) - — Avi’s technical and business background (04:12) - — Where the idea for Meet My Menu came from (05:06) - — Why restaurant menus remain an accessibility problem (07:08) - — Meet the AI waiter (09:30) - — Screen readers and braille displays (10:51) - — Creating one consistent accessible menu format (11:40) - — Expanding beyond restaurants (12:41) - — Is Meet My Menu free? (14:11) - — Where to find Meet My Menu (15:53) - — Closing thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★

Getting into music production does not have to begin with an expensive microphone, audio interface, MIDI controller, or professional studio. In this solo episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes offers a practical introduction to making music and working with audio—especially for blind and low-vision creators. A phone or computer, paired with decent headphones or earbuds, may be everything you need to begin experimenting. Even built-in microphones can help you explore singing, rapping, or recording an instrument before investing in specialized equipment. Evan also goes over the pros and cons of several digital audio work stations, including some free options you may already have on your device. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

Getting into music production does not have to begin with an expensive microphone, audio interface, MIDI controller, or professional studio. In this solo episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes offers a practical introduction to making music and working with audio—especially for blind and low-vision creators. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

On this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes and Jonathan Price explore vibe coding and its potential for blind and low-vision users. Jonathan shares how AI-assisted coding helped him create an accessible production-management platform that brings Aftersight’s programs, volunteers, publications, audio, and production information into one place. They also discuss screen-reader testing, overly verbose accessibility, API security, sandboxed development, and why AI-generated code still requires thoughtful human direction. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

There’s a lot to catch up on in the world of tech. Evan Starnes and David Ward are back for a Blind Level Tech roundup covering everything from NLS BARD on the Orbit Player and new BrailleSense features to NVDA 2026, rising computer hardware prices, accessible smart glasses, Curb2Car, Waymo, Tesla Robotaxi, and more. Along the way, they discuss what these changes actually mean for blind and low-vision technology users—and why sometimes the smallest accessibility improvements can make the biggest difference. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★ (00:00) - - Burrito Level Tech Begins (01:44) - - Two Months of Tech News to Catch Up On (02:39) - - Orbit Player Adds NLS BARD Support (03:38) - - Victor Reader Stream and the Case for Dedicated Devices (06:19) - - New BrailleSense 6 Apps and Features (07:47) - - WWDC, iOS 27, and the New Siri Experience (10:41) - - Natural AI Voices and Conversational Speech (13:58) - - NVDA 2026 and Magnification (19:08) - - RAM Prices and the Rising Cost of Technology (24:55) - - Windows 10 Support and the Future of Windows (28:47) - - Finding Your Ride with Curb2Car (34:10) - - Meta Ray-Bans for Blinded Veterans (46:27) - - Waymo and Autonomous Vehicles in Colorado (50:59) - - Google Docs Makes Pasted Links Easier to Read (53:34) - - Wrapping Up the Summer Tech Roundup

This week, Evan welcomes Aftersight volunteer and Perkins Brailler repair Ralph for a journey through the machine’s history, design, and maintenance. Before the Perkins Brailler, people primarily wrote braille using a slate and stylus or one of several early mechanical braille writers. Many of those machines were large, loud, fragile, and difficult for children to operate. The conversation explores why the classic Perkins design has survived with relatively few changes, and how to keep a Perkins Braillerighter running like a rist watch. ★ Support this podcast ★

After a short staycation break, Evan is back on Blind Level Tech to explore the surprisingly fascinating world of audible pedestrian signals. These are the beeping, chirping, talking, and sometimes very enthusiastic crosswalk buttons that help blind and low vision travelers navigate street crossings. This episode covers the early history of APS devices, including bells and buzzers from the 1920s and 1930s, the chirp and cuckoo systems used in Japan, and the rise of modern push-button signals with locator tones, spoken street names, countdowns, vibrating buttons, automatic volume adjustment, and Bluetooth programming. Evan also shares his own experiences using and requesting APS installations, while discussing noise concerns, inconsistent programming, orientation and mobility skills, and why these devices are helpful tools rather than a total replacement for good travel judgment. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★ (00:17) - - Welcome Back and Staycation Recap (01:41) - - Introducing Audible Pedestrian Signals (02:38) - - Early APS History (05:07) - - Japan’s Chirp and Cuckoo Signals (05:48) - - Benefits and Drawbacks of Older Signals (07:37) - - Accessibility on a Schedule (08:59) - - Modern Push-Button APS Devices (10:00) - - Vibrating Buttons for DeafBlind Travelers (11:17) - - Microphones and Automatic Volume Adjustment (12:58) - - APS as a Tool, Not a Replacement (15:24) - - Personal Experience Requesting APS Installations (16:59) - - Consistency, Programming, and Street Announcements (18:08) - - APS Brands and Polara (19:23) - - Bluetooth Programming and Security Concerns (21:48) - - Remote Activation and Listener Feedback (23:20) - - Closing Thoughts

This week on Blind Level Tech, Evan takes a closer look at weather radios: what they do, why they still matter in the age of smartphones, and where accessibility still falls short. From NOAA broadcasts and SAME codes to emergency crank radios, alert radios, pillow shakers, strobe lights, and satellite SOS features, this episode is all about staying informed when it matters most. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★ (00:00) - - Intro: Why Weather Radios? (02:47) - - Smartphones vs. Weather Radios (05:07) - - NOAA Weather Radio and Emergency Alerts (07:31) - - How Weather Alert Radios Work (09:57) - - SAME Codes Explained (10:55) - - Accessibility Challenges (12:17) - - Choosing a More Usable Weather Radio (13:10) - - Weather Radio Brands and Buying Options (16:49) - - Satellite SOS and Smartphone Backup Plans (17:45) - - Sandwich of the Week: The SAME Witch (19:16) - - Listener Feedback and Final Thoughts

In this Blind Level Tech monthly Tech Roundup, Evan welcomes David Ward back as a recurring monthly guest for a new, evolving roundup format covering access tech, mainstream tech, and useful listener-focused tools. The episode begins with a discussion of VAL, a customizable talking clock and chime app from Quentin Williams. Evan shares his love of auditory timekeeping, retro talking clocks, hourly chimes, alarms, and custom clock sounds, while David reflects on older talking clocks and possible uses for older devices. Evan and David then move into screen reader and accessibility updates, including NVDA 2026.1, security fixes, remote access changes, and TalkBack improvements. They discuss TalkBack’s improved live region announcements, braille display command remapping, selection mode fixes, and the welcome news that Samsung is moving away from its separate Galaxy TalkBack version in favor of unified Google TalkBack. The conversation also covers HumanWare’s Victor Reader Stratus, Victor Reader history, the origins of the “Victor” name, dedicated blindness technology, and whether devices like the Victor Reader still make sense in a smartphone world. Evan and David compare dedicated players with modern alternatives such as iPhones, Blindshell phones, Bard Mobile, Bookshare apps, Voice Dream Reader, and other accessible tools. A major portion of the episode focuses on Apple’s newly announced accessibility features expected in iOS 27, including enhanced AI image recognition, Magnifier improvements, possible live descriptions, voice control upgrades, and the potential for more natural language control of devices. Evan and David discuss how these features could especially help blind users, people with multiple disabilities, older adults, and users who need alternatives to touch-based interaction. They also look at Meta Ray-Ban glasses, including walking directions, Be My Eyes integrations, verbal commands, gesture customization, the Meta SDK, and the possibility of future Seeing AI integration. The episode closes with David sharing his website and Braille Sonar project, Evan inviting listener feedback and future guest co-hosts, and a preview of an upcoming episode on weather radios. CONTACTS / RESOURCES Feedback: feedback@aftersight.org Voicemail: 720-712-8856 Website: Aftersight.org David Ward: certdoctor.com Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

David Ward returns to Blind Level Tech for part two of a wonderfully nerdy and practical conversation about accessibility, AI, screen readers, and the tools that make daily life just a little smoother. Evan and David pick up from their previous discussion and dive into Braille Sonar, David’s braille reference app that has been revived as a web app with help from modern AI coding tools. From there, the conversation moves into real-world AI use cases, including JAWS Picture Smart, Be My AI, PDF workflows, command-line tools, PowerShell scripts, Lisi for JAWS, and the surprisingly powerful role of sound cues in accessibility. David shares how AI has helped him solve problems that once required sighted assistance, while also pointing out where these tools still fall short and why human backup through services like Be My Eyes and Aira still matters. Evan and David also geek out over screen reader history, Android versus iOS, NVDA add-ons, startup sounds, text-to-speech voices, and why technology becoming “silent” is not always a good thing for blind and low vision users. (00:40) - – Welcome Back to Part Two with David Ward (02:00) - – Energy Drinks, Coffee, and “Healthy” Caffeine (04:05) - – Introducing Braille Sonar (05:17) - – The Origins of Braille Sonar and UEB Braille (07:13) - – Learning PHP and Building an iOS App Before AI (10:08) - – Why the Original App Was Sunsetted (11:10) - – Reviving Braille Sonar Using AI Coding Tools (13:55) - – Braille, Math Symbols, and AI Improvements (16:00) - – JAWS Picture Smart and PDF Accessibility (17:05) - – Automating PDF Signatures with Command Line Tools (21:13) - – What Is Lisi for JAWS? (24:00) - – Be My AI, Accessibility Testing, and OCR (29:53) - – Making Screen Readers More Human (31:21) - – Sticky Notes, Web Navigation, and Productivity Features (34:12) - – Depending on AI for Everyday Tasks (35:25) - – What AI Still Gets Wrong (38:14) - – Fighting Hallucinations with Multiple AI Models (40:47) - – AI Integration in VoiceOver and iOS (42:55) - – Access Tech Frustrations and OCR Complaints (46:03) - – Live Recognition and Modern OCR Tools (48:47) - – Open Source Accessibility and NVDA Plugins (51:33) - – Why Silent Technology Can Hurt Accessibility (53:02) - – Using Sound Cues for Productivity (57:22) - – NVDA Add-Ons and Fun Sound Customization (58:18) - – David’s Android and Nexus Era (01:03:34) - – Echo Tips Podcast and Braille Sonar Plug (01:05:16) - – Listener Feedback and Wrapping Up ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan sits down with David Ward, longtime assistive technology trainer, producer of the Echo Tips Podcast, and all-around smart speaker nerd in the best possible way. David shares how his early love of computers, IT certification, and training background led him into access technology and eventually into creating Echo Tips. The conversation centers heavily on Amazon Echo devices, the evolution of Alexa, and how smart speakers became a surprisingly powerful accessibility tool—especially for blind and low-vision users, seniors, and people who may not be comfortable with smartphones or computers. Evan and David also dig into Alexa Plus, including what feels genuinely new, what still feels unfinished, and how natural language AI is changing the way people interact with smart speakers. They discuss shopping by voice, routines, smart home control, legacy Alexa skills, and the challenges of making older skill-based systems work naturally with modern AI assistants. The episode wraps with a teaser for part two, where Evan and David plan to get more into AI, Braille Sonar, vibe coding, and David’s broader tech background. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes and Jonathan Price welcome Sriram Ganesh, founder of Luminade, to talk about Lumin, a voice-driven email client designed especially with blind, low vision, aging, neurodivergent, and voice-first users in mind. Sriram shares his journey from growing up in India, falling in love with video games, building AI products in gaming and education, and eventually founding Luminade after being diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy. That personal experience shaped the design of Lumin: instead of forcing users to memorize commands, navigate complex screens, or fight inaccessible interfaces, Lumin works more like a patient assistant you can simply talk to. The conversation covers privacy, AI accuracy, email overwhelm, multi-language support, future integrations with Outlook, Calendar, Google Drive, and how Luminade hopes to partner with organizations, employers, and vocational rehabilitation programs to make the tool more widely available. The episode also features a live Lumin demo and, naturally, a very serious sandwich discussion. Lumin is not publicly available in the Appstore yet, but you can join the early access beta by visiting https://luminade.ai/ . Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★ (00:20) - Welcome to Blind Level Tech and introduction to Lumen (01:00) - Coffee cups, Amazon luxury, and Aftersight on YouTube (02:37) - Sriram’s journey from gaming to AI (05:01) - Living with cone-rod dystrophy and founding Luminade (06:08) - Designing Lumen from lived experience with low vision (08:25) - Jonathan joins in and asks about aging, access, and simplicity (09:31) - Email overwhelm, anxiety, and the idea behind voice-first AI (12:27) - Lumen as an AI agent instead of a command-based tool (13:20) - How Lumen works with Gmail and voice interaction (14:44) - Current limitations and why Lumen stays focused (17:14) - Privacy, voice recordings, and email security (18:47) - Email overwhelm and support for ADHD, dyslexia, and other users (21:03) - Smart home voice control and setting up the demo (22:17) - Live Lumen demo: inbox, replies, archiving, and sending email (25:47) - New multilingual features (27:54) - Feedback from blind and low vision users (30:27) - What’s next: Outlook, Calendar, Google Drive, and more (31:25) - Partnerships, funding, vocational rehab, and access (33:02) - Sandwich of the Week (37:03) - Pricing, sponsorships, and organizational support (37:35) - How to join the waitlist and find Luminade (39:34) - Closing thoughts and feedback info

1. Episode Summary In this episode of Blind Level Tech , Evan Starnes and Jonathan Price talk with Shanell Matos , Community Manager at RightHear , about accessible wayfinding, independence, and the difference between being guided and being empowered. Shanell explains that RightHear is spelled with “hear” — H-E-A-R — and is built to give blind and low-vision users meaningful orientation information without taking away choice or autonomy. The conversation covers how RightHear uses Bluetooth beacons, smart markers, GPS awareness, and a free mobile app to help users understand what is around them in real time. Shanell also shares how businesses can install RightHear, how users can advocate for accessible locations, and why accessible orientation is especially important in airports, hospitals, libraries, conferences, hotels, emergency situations, and even nature trails. A major theme of the episode is independence with responsibility. RightHear does not replace a cane, guide dog, or orientation and mobility skills. Instead, it gives users the “lay of the land” so they can move through spaces with more confidence, awareness, and dignity. RightHear’s official site confirms that its system uses Bluetooth beacons, markers, a free app, and audio guidance to support blind and low-vision navigation and orientation. 2. Contact Info Guest: Shanell Matos Role: Community Manager, RightHear Organization: RightHear Website: RightHear official site — the correct domain is listed in the citation; the transcript’s spoken “write-here” phrasing appears to be a transcription/spelling issue. Community / Advocacy Resources: RightHear offers advocacy templates, community meetups, and resources for requesting RightHear at preferred locations. Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Producer Contact Jonathan Price Podcast and Program Producer, Aftersight jonathan@aftersight.org (720) 712-8856 3. Show Credits Show: Blind Level Tech Host: Evan Starnes Co-host: Jonathan Price Guest: Shanell Matos Guest Organization: RightHear Producer: Jonathan Price Presented by: Aftersight ★ Support this podcast ★

1) Episode Summary In this episode of Blind Level Tech , host Evan Starnes is joined by producer Jonathan Price for a monthly tech news digest covering mainstream tech, access tech, AI, wearables, and listener comments. The episode opens with a preview of upcoming conversations, including Sriram Ganesh from Lumen and Shanell Matos from RightHear , highlighting AI email management, indoor orientation, accessibility beacons, and tools designed to help blind and low-vision users navigate daily life with more independence. Evan and Jonathan also discuss major access-tech updates, including InnoSearch’s move into nonprofit status , the importance of supporting useful nonprofit technology, and the growing role of wearable AI. They talk through Meta Ray-Ban glasses , Aira integration , EchoVision glasses , and how AI-powered tools may continue shifting from phone-based experiences into glasses, watches, and other hands-free devices. The conversation then moves into broader tech news, including AI processors, Apple’s ecosystem, Apple Intelligence, Windows Copilot, Microsoft’s approach to AI integration, and Evan’s real-world experience testing Android after years in the Apple ecosystem. The episode keeps a conversational, practical tone while asking the larger question underneath all the tech: does this actually help people live, work, navigate, communicate, and access the world more easily? The episode closes with listener comments about Meta glasses, EchoVision, app accessibility, banking independence, and how listeners can reach out to the show with feedback, questions, or tech they would like reviewed. 2) Contact Info Blind Level Tech / Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Email: feedback@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Featured hosts/contributors Evan Starnes — Host, Blind Level Tech Jonathan Price — Podcast Producer, Aftersight 3) Show Credits Blind Level Tech is hosted by Evan Starnes and produced by Jonathan Price for Aftersight . Aftersight provides news, information, and resources in audio format for people who are blind, have low vision, or benefit from alternatives to print. (00:00) - — Welcome to Blind Level Tech (00:35) - — Jonathan joins Evan for the monthly tech news digest (02:06) - — Previewing the upcoming Lumen episode (03:05) - — First impressions of Lumen’s AI email assistant (04:57) - — Previewing RightHear with Shanell Matos (06:24) - — RightHear, indoor orientation, and accessible places (08:14) - — Beta testing, promo codes, and listener engagement (09:10) - — InnoSearch becomes a nonprofit (10:54) - — Supporting access-tech nonprofits and product demos (11:41) - — EchoVision glasses and dedicated accessibility controls (12:08) - — Aira integration comes to Meta Ray-Ban glasses (13:11) - — AI wearables and hands-free access (14:13) - — AI processors, Apple Silicon, and local AI possibilities (16:31) - — Microsoft Copilot, Windows changes, and File Explorer frustrations (18:11) - — Apple leadership, Apple Intelligence, and future direction (21:55) - — AI integration across Apple’s ecosystem (23:17) - — Hearth Display and future smart home tech previews (24:38) - — Apple’s slower, more deliberate innovation style (26:04) - — Evan’s Android experiment begins (27:14) - — Pixel, TalkBack, Gemini, and Android accessibility wins (28:37) - — Android frustrations and TalkBack bugs (29:35) - — Gemini and YouTube video descriptions (30:42) - — Why Evan still carries both Android and iPhone (33:58) - — The blue bubble vs. green bubble debate (34:36) - — Listener comment: Meta Ray-Bans and EchoVision (37:02) - — Listener comment: app accessibility and banking independence (38:31) - — How listeners can contact Blind Level Tech (39:33) - — Closing thoughts and signoff ★ Support this podcast ★

As promissed, here is the BLT Bite demo of the OOrian app.For this demonstration, we go on a walk to Evan's office, and On this demonstration, we take you on an immersive walk from Evan's home to the office, while taking in everything OOrian points out along the way. It is strongly recommended to use headphones for the best listening experience. If there is a particular feature of OOrian you would like demonstrated in a future BLT Bite, let us know by sending an email to feedback@aftersight.org, or calling 720-712-8856 Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

In this solo episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan takes a deep dive into one of the most exciting accessibility tools he has tested recently: the Orion app. Evan explains that he first encountered Orion through a friend, then tried it firsthand on both an iPhone and Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. He quickly realized the app represented something he has long talked about on the show: “reactive AI,” or technology capable of describing the world around you in real time. He gives a detailed breakdown of Orion’s history, beginning with its development in France in 2020, its early object-finding prototype in 2022, wider release in 2024, and major generative AI enhancements in 2025. He notes the addition of venue-specific navigation, voice assistant features, and most recently, integration with Meta glasses. Evan walks listeners through setup, permissions, connecting Meta glasses, recommended settings, voice behavior, and battery considerations. He also explains the app’s core features: • Visual Question • Search Objects • Search Text • Nearby Objects • Nearby Text • Personal Objects Throughout the episode he shares real-world examples of using Orion to: • Find keys, mugs, and lost objects • Read labels and medication packaging • Detect dishwasher lights • Adjust thermostats • Read office signs • Identify logos and products • Understand room layouts • Navigate unfamiliar environments • And yes… locate dog accidents on the floor Evan emphasizes that Orion does not replace a cane or guide dog and should never be trusted for critical obstacle avoidance due to cloud-processing delays. But as a supplemental accessibility tool, he describes it as one of the most useful visual-assistance apps he has ever used. He closes by inviting listener feedback and teasing an upcoming BLT Byte episode where he will wear the Orion-connected Meta glasses during a trip from home to work to demonstrate the app in real-world use. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes takes on a topic that can be surprisingly personal and surprisingly complicated: switching ecosystems. Rather than arguing that iPhone or Android is universally better, Evan walks listeners through what actually changes when you move from one platform to the other, especially as a blind screen reader user. Drawing from his own recent experience of moving his eSIM from an iPhone to a new Google Pixel, Evan breaks down the practical side of switching, from initial setup and data transfer to battery life expectations and the reality of what does and does not carry over. He talks about the parts of the process that are more accessible than many people might expect, but also points out the frustrations, like message transfer issues and the extra little setup hurdles that can still make switching feel bigger than it should. A major focus of the episode is accessibility. Evan compares VoiceOver and TalkBack, highlighting how much TalkBack has matured over the years. He discusses multi-finger gestures, customizable commands, Gemini-powered image descriptions and summaries, braille support, the TalkBack menu, and the way Android navigation differs from iOS. He also points out a few things he misses from iPhone, like direct touch in certain apps, Apple’s wider voice selection, and some of the little usability touches in iOS that make scrolling and media interaction feel smoother. On the Android side, Evan talks about the strengths that still make Google’s platform appealing, especially for blind users who value flexibility. He highlights the usefulness of fingerprint unlock, the universal back button, home screen and launcher customization, app-specific notification sounds, and the broader ability to tailor the device to your own habits. On the Apple side, he acknowledges that iOS still has major advantages, especially when it comes to ecosystem integration with devices like the Apple Watch, iPad, AirPods, and Mac. Overall, this episode is a thoughtful, real-world look at what switching phone ecosystems actually feels like when accessibility is part of the equation. It is not about declaring a winner. It is about helping listeners understand the tradeoffs, the surprises, and the things worth knowing before making the jump themselves. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★ (00:00) - Introduction and why switching ecosystems is a loaded topic (01:37) - Why this episode matters from a blind and low vision perspective (02:05) - Best Buy temptation and upgrading from a Pixel 5 (02:45) - Why Evan chose a Pixel and thoughts on Samsung vs. Google (04:51) - Why Evan tried switching back to Android full-time (06:23) - The VoiceOver bugs that pushed the experiment further (07:00) - Accessible setup on iPhone and Android (08:05) - eSIM transfer and what moving service was like (09:43) - What transferred successfully and what did not (10:19) - Battery life after setup and why new phones settle in (11:33) - How platform exclusivity has changed over time (12:24) - Apple Music, Apple TV, and what still works on Android (13:15) - iCloud and iWork limitations when leaving Apple (13:52) - TalkBack today and how far it has come (14:13) - Multi-finger gestures and customizing TalkBack commands (15:38) - TalkBack wraparound navigation vs. VoiceOver behavior (16:50) - The TalkBack menu and quick accessibility controls (17:44) - Gemini-based text summaries and image descriptions (18:29) - Braille support, braille displays, and the TalkBack braille keyboard (20:34) - Drag and drop, moving apps, and organizing the home screen (22:04) - Seeing AI vs. Lookout on Android (23:04) - What Evan misses on Android, including direct touch (24:23) - Voices, Eloquence, and Google text-to-speech improvements (26:03) - Scrolling differences and the things iOS still does better (27:34) - Fingerprint scanners and why they matter for blind users (30:03) - Three-button navigation and the universal back button (32:03) - Android customization, launchers, and sound control (34:53) - MagSafe-style accessories and magnetic compatibility (36:12) - Switching from Android to iPhone with Move to iOS (36:55) - Apple ecosystem integration and continuity features (38:22) - iPhone customization and how iOS has borrowed from Android (39:49) - Final thoughts and invitation for listener feedback

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan dives into a surprisingly practical and slightly uncomfortable question: when does “smart” tech become too smart for its own good, and what can you do if your smart device loses it's smart functionality? The conversation is sparked by the shutdown of the Braava smart oven, a once-innovative infrared countertop appliance that relied heavily on cloud services. With the company ceasing operations and no guarantee of how long servers will remain online, Evan highlights a critical issue: When the cloud goes away, what happens to the product? For blind users in particular, this becomes more than an inconvenience—it can render a device nearly unusable if accessibility depends on an app or dynamic touchscreen interface. Creators & Guests Evan Starnes - Host ★ Support this podcast ★

Episode Summary In this monthly Blind Level Tech roundup, Evan Starnes brings a fast-moving mix of mainstream and assistive tech news, opening with a reminder that Aftersight’s Tech Pulse audio edition lets listeners hear original tech articles from sources like Top Tech Tidbits, Wired, and CNET. From there, the episode moves through Amazon’s new Alexa personality options, Apple’s push into business and education, Spotify’s new Song DNA feature, Windows 11 changes, and a reported FCC router sales ban. The second half shifts into assistive tech, highlighting Speakable’s public voice-label system, a new BMIOS and Meta partnership, and an extended breakdown of the BrailleSense 7 and its new features. This episode works well as a broad accessibility-and-innovation update. It gives listeners both consumer-facing tech developments and blind-specific tools in one place, while keeping the tone conversational, practical, and rooted in how these changes may actually affect everyday users. Contact Info Guest/Organization Info: No guest featured in this episode. Host-led tech news roundup. Aftersight Contact Info: Aftersight Email: feedback@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Website: Aftersight.org Show Credits Host: Evan Starnes Producer: Jonathan Price Organization: Aftersight (00:00) - — Welcome to Blind Level Tech / Tech Pulse spotlight (02:06) - — Amazon adds Alexa personality styles (04:31) - — Listener feedback and Alexa reactions (04:56) - — Apple’s business and education push (09:09) - — Apple Maps ads and AirPods Max 2 (11:32) - — Spotify Song DNA and Windows 11 updates (13:31) - — Reported FCC router sales ban (15:01) - — Speakable voice labels for accessible spaces (16:16) - — BMIOS and Meta partnership (16:50) - — BrailleSense 7 first impressions and upgrades (20:17) - — Taptic feedback and optional QWERTY keyboard (22:40) - — Closing and contact reminder ★ Support this podcast ★